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

Mon Apr 9 07:29:10 CDT 2012

Wow David,

I strongly disagree with you. I happen to work and run at Dermatopathology
lab and I am a licensed Histotechnologist. I have worked in the field for
twelve years and I produce the same quality of work that I would if I was
in a hospital. I also have to comply with the same state and CLIA rules
you do. If not we woundlt be "treading on thim ice" we would be closed
down. CLIA would not let my facility remain open if I was not producing
the quality of work expected from all histology laboratories. Also, I
cannt believe you would want our labs closed down. Do you know how many of
YOUR FELLOW histologist you would put out of work. David is such a team
player!!!! In reguards to stark laws. Maybe you should read what it
actually means!!!! We only process specimens within our our facility and
our slides ARE read by a licensed dermatopathologist. So, please tell me
how my work is any less important than ur hospital job? And let me tell
you this about my mediocker job. I work M-F 9-5. no weekends and no
on-call. I also have full benefits and 401K. So, Im sorry that you feel
our labs are some how underqualified, but I would not go back to hospital
work, to save my life. Thanks for having my back, your fellow histologist.

Nicole Tatum, HT ASCP

This is a fascinating thread!!
>
> So what are your thoughts on this - It would appear that, if other
> insurers
> follow suit, this could pose a huge burden on dermatologists that do their
> own tissue processing, and all the GI labs across the country that are
> popping up doing their own in-house histology. It may be hard, and in some
> cases not possible for those labs to become CAP accredited.
>
> In my opinion, that would be a great thing, to see all those physician
> offices doing histology close their lab doors, and focus on thier own
> specialty rather than invade the pathology world from which they were not
> trained. It would seem, to the average witness, that these facilities are
> treading on very thin ice as it is. It certainly does appear to be a
> violation of Stark laws that were created for a very good reason. In
> addition, these offices have stolen the "bread and butter" from large
> labs,
> and hospital pathology departments and left behind the far less profitable
> work. It would be nice to see that work return to the place it belongs -
> in
> Pathology laboratories.
>
> It may be a pipe dream at this point, but who knows - maybe this is the
> start of a very, very good thing.
>
>
>
> On Fri, Apr 6, 2012 at 2:56 PM, Kim Donadio
> <one_angel_secret <@t> yahoo.com>wrote:
>
>> Yikes I just 2 sec ago said that lol
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>> On Apr 6, 2012, at 4:51 PM, Jesus Ellin <JEllin <@t> yumaregional.org> wrote:
>>
>> > There are several frame of minds here, but most closely this aligns
>> with
>> the affordable care act and quality outcomes for patients.  I to agree
>> with
>> the statement that other agencies can provide good quality outcomes, but
>> Anatomic pathology is changing so rapidly.  From all aspects, but if you
>> look at who bills for most of the CMS testing it falls under hospital
>> based
>> laboratories, yet the government decides reimbursement based on what the
>> large labs make..  In the end we are seeing consolidation,, but I hope
>> someone comes to the forefront to speak for us all.
>> > Sent from my iPad
>> > On Apr 6, 2012, at 1:41 PM, "Carol Torrence" <ctorrence <@t> kmcpa.com>
>> wrote:
>> >
>> >> 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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>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
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>
>
> --
> *David Costanzo, MHS, PA (ASCP)*
> Project Manager
> *Blufrog Path Lab Solutions*
> 9401 Wilshire Blvd. Ste 650
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