In recent months, several diagnostic companies have announced alliances with Google, and all involve Google Cloud Platform. Here is how four companies are using Google's … [Read more...]
REIMBURSEMENT
PAMAgeddon: Congress Tables Bill to Delay Next Round of Price Reporting for One Year
July 16, 2019
The PAMA data collection process has been a lightning rod for criticism from almost the moment CMS unveiled it. And now Congress may be getting ready to intervene. A newly proposed bill called … [Read more...]
HEALTH CARE REFORM
Industry Buzz: Obamacare Appeal Set for Round 2
July 16, 2019
Seven months after a Texas U.S. District Court striking down Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare, unconstitutional, the case is going back to court on appeal. The betting is that the Fifth Circuit, … [Read more...]
GENETIC TESTING
OIG Issues Genetic Testing Fraud Alert
July 15, 2019
On June 3, the OIG issued a fraud alert warning of a genetic testing fraud scheme. According to the OIG, scammers are using telemarketing calls, booths at health fairs and public events and … [Read more...]
STARK LAW
Compliance Heads Up: New Kickback Safe Harbors Rule Is Almost Ready
July 8, 2019
After months of promises, posturing and public consultation, the Department of Health and Human Services is getting ready to unveil a proposed rule to liberate labs and other providers from the … [Read more...]
TECHNOLOGY
Top 4 trends shaping the healthcare industry
July 8, 2019
By Leora Borgenicht bio Before the healthcare industry can ambitiously transform to offer more accurate and personalized patient care, certain stepping stones must be reached. These four … [Read more...]
NEWS
FDA Watch: Agency Okays Marketing of Zika Test for First Time
June 24, 2019
Over the past several years, the FDA has issued Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for over a dozen different tests for Zika. But on May 23, 2019, the FDA did something it had never done before: It … [Read more...]
FALSE CLAIMS
Case of the Month: Physicians Come Under Fire for Taking Blood Processing Fee Kickbacks from HDL
June 17, 2019
Like the tango, it takes two to break the anti-kickback laws: one to offer and pay the kickback and the other to accept it. When a major scheme involving payment of kickbacks for lab testing referrals … [Read more...]
NEWS
DNA Testing at the Border
May 21, 2019
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is piloting a DNA testing program at the U.S.-Mexico border. The program aims to establish "DNA-based family relationship (kinship) verification to improve … [Read more...]
NEWS
The President’s Proposed 2019 Federal Budget: The 6 Things Labs Must Know
May 6, 2019
While President Trump's proposed $4.75 trillion budget may be the largest in U.S. history, it calls for important cuts affecting health care in general and labs in particular. Here are the six things … [Read more...]
