[Histonet] Aetna requiring CAP accreditation for non-hospital labs

[Carol Torrence]

I too have been through many CAP inspections in the past. Passing is not my
concern - how about expense, prep time, time away to inspect a peer.    We
are a small private lab also so this a bit of a pain.  There is no way that
CAP will be able to accommodate the workload that will ensue if this becomes
a trend. Which I think it will and there will be more insurance companies
aligning themselves with the larger labs as "preferred".  My fear is that
local healthcare will be so undercut that it will become more difficult if
not impossible for even hospital labs to compete. I will never be convinced
that big is better. 

I believe Aetna will hear from CAP on this issue due to the increased
workload to them...deadlines may have to be extended.  We are hearing from a
CAP member that they will not be able to be accredited in such a short time,
according to CAP.

-----Original Message-----
From: Kim Donadio [mailto:one_angel_secret <@t> yahoo.com] 
Sent: Thursday, April 05, 2012 6:31 PM
To: Katelin Lester
Cc: Carol Torrence; histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: Re: [Histonet] Aetna requiring CAP accreditation for non-hospital
labs

My lab can pass any inspection I have no fear Bring it on
utube.com/index?desktop_uri=%2F&gl=US#/watch?v=gAQCbczCt8s

Sent from my iPhone

On Apr 5, 2012, at 7:00 PM, Katelin Lester <katelin09htl <@t> gmail.com> wrote:

> We also received this notice. We contacted our local CLIA office who 
> had heard of it this week as well. We are a small lab, so we are not 
> sure yet how this change will impact us. I'd also be curious to know 
> what smaller, private labs are planning on doing.
> --
> Katelin Lester, HTL
> Gastroenterology Specialists of Oregon, P.C.
> Pathology Laboratory
> (971) 224-2408
> 
> On Thu, Apr 5, 2012 at 12:16 PM, Carol Torrence <ctorrence <@t> kmcpa.com>
wrote:
> 
>> We have received notification from AETNA that they now require 
>> non-hospital labs to be accredited by CLIA and CAP.  The letter makes 
>> it obvious that by making such a request that they are not aware that 
>> CLIA assigned deemed status to CAP and CLIA is actually the 
>> gatekeeper.  Secondly we are told to be registered by May 1st and 
>> accredited by August 1st (which CAP says is
>> impossible) or we will have to send our lab to either Quest or 
>> Ameripath which includes Dermpath Diagnostics division.  It fails to 
>> mention that there are other CAP accredited non hospital labs in our 
>> state.  The Aetna contact number is either 'mailbox full" or even 
>> after leaving a message, no return call.  Me thinks me smells a rat.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> If you are a non-hospital lab, have you heard of this?  Does your 
>> dematopathologist or pathologist know this is coming?  I am 
>> interested in your comments.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Carol M. Torrence, HT(ASCP)CM
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
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