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

Mon Apr 9 11:31:55 CDT 2012

Kim,

I agree that there must be broad based support for all the histotech's
working in those offices. Again, several read something into my post that
was not in it. Nowhere did I mention the techs, nor express any concern
over the quality of those techs. I am quite sure some of the best
histotechs in America work in those settings.

I would think that the majority of the techs working in those offices would
find new jobs popping up all over if those labs were forced to close. The
work still needs to get done, so I think assuming there would be hundreds
of techs out of work is not realistic.

Hopefully someone out there knows the answer to this question - I have
heard (cannot confirm) that these types of labs in physician offices are
banned in some states already. Pennsylvania was mentioned once at a
conference as being one of those states. Does anyone out there know of
this, and if it is true? I cannot find info in print, which I prefer to do
before commenting. One Medical Director local to me at a major University
stated that there is a push now to spread law through some Congressional
hearings currently under way to force the closure of physician owned labs
of that sort on a Federal level. I cannot confirm this either, however it
does seem logical to think that the powers in Pathology would be fighting
hard behind closed doors to figure out a way to shut these places down.

There are problems in healthcare in this country on so many levels, this is
just another example of one of many. The Aetna issue is not entirely
related to this scenario, but in the end it still may have the desired
effect by those that are pushing for office lab closure if it catches on
with other insurance providers. I do think there is a lot going on behind
the scenes here that none of us are aware of. Where did this Aetna letter
come from? What sparked it? It shouldn't be any surprise to find out that
physicians in larger pathology departments, or pathology organizations are
behind this in some capacity.

I share the opinion of my former medical director that these labs are
short-lived, that the government will eventually shut them down. This is
kick-back, no matter how you slice it. Loopholes that exist today, are
likely to be removed tomorrow. The lucrative business they experience today
is enough to keep them in the game, but I think they know the risks, and
are aware of the fact that this party will end at some point.

It is not pompous, and I resent that allegation. How would dermatologists
feel if we decided to do punch biopsies in pathology labs? If a pathologist
is not allowed to do colonoscpoy, why is a GI doc allowed to do histology?
My comment is simple - they should not be allowed to. Practice of medicine
should be limited to what you are trained in, not what makes you the most
cash. Greed is a big part of what is destroying healthcare in this country.

As for histotechs, I fully support the profession. To suggest otherwise is
a tainted opinion, and not factual at all. I have worked alongside techs
for 24 years, and clearly value every aspect of what they do. It is not an
easy job, it is often thankless and that is unfortunate. This subject has
nothing to do with the techs, and for those that love their job in these
physician office labs I do feel sorry for, as that is not a job that will
be around forever by all indications.

On Mon, Apr 9, 2012 at 8:40 AM, Kim Donadio <one_angel_secret <@t> yahoo.com>wrote:

> I agree with Nicole.
>
> Davide, personally I think you went over the line. Many Histotechs out
> here are just as qualified and thier work is just as important as anyone
> elses. As a person who has worked in both situations, I think this date
> line is a bit unfair and your comment uncalled for.
>
> I spoke with CAP this morning and they agree the time frame is too short.
> I am told they have contacted Aetna to try and get some kind of leeway for
> people who have at least applied as they tell me there is no way we can get
> accreditation by that deadline.They are bombed with calls/applications.
>
> With all this said, and my ego now put back in my pocket. We need to
> support each other as professionals of our feild. These are hard times for
> healthcare professionals all around with many new regualtions around the
> bend. So lets try to stick together as a group of professionals and I
> suggest we all contact Aetna, and any governmental agency's we can
> regarding this.
>
> Because what starts here with one can certainly get out of hand rapidly;
> and dont always think you'll be on the side thats not getting the hit.
> Situations change.
>
> Best Regards
>
> Kim D
>
>   *From:* Nicole Tatum <nicole <@t> dlcjax.com>
> *To:* Davide Costanzo <pathlocums <@t> gmail.com>;
> histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> *Sent:* Monday, April 9, 2012 8:29 AM
>
> *Subject:* Re: [Histonet] Aetna requiring CAP accreditation for
> non-hospital labs
>
> 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
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>> _______________________________________________
> >> >>>> Histonet mailing list
> >> >>>> Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> >> >>>> http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
> >> >>>>
> >> >>> _______________________________________________
> >> >>> Histonet mailing list
> >> >>> Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> >> >>> http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> _______________________________________________
> >> >> Histonet mailing list
> >> >> Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> >> >> http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
> >> >
> >> > ______________________________________________________________________
> >> > This message is confidential, intended only for the named
> >> > recipient(s) and may contain information that is privileged
> >> > or exempt from disclosure under applicable law.  If you are
> >> > not the intended recipient(s), you are notified that the
> >> > dissemination, distribution, or copying of this message is
> >> > strictly prohibited.  If you receive this message in error,
> >> > or are not the named recipient(s), please notify the sender
> >> > at either the e-mail, fax, address, or telephone number
> >> > listed above and delete this e-mail from your computer.
> >> > Thank You.
> >> > ______________________________________________________________________
> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> Histonet mailing list
> >> Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> >> http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
> >>
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > *David Costanzo, MHS, PA (ASCP)*
> > Project Manager
> > *Blufrog Path Lab Solutions*
> > 9401 Wilshire Blvd. Ste 650
> > Beverly Hills, CA 90212
> > _______________________________________________
> > Histonet mailing list
> > Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> > http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
> >
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Histonet mailing list
> Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
>
>
>

-- 
*David Costanzo, MHS, PA (ASCP)*
Project Manager
*Blufrog Path Lab Solutions*
9401 Wilshire Blvd. Ste 650
Beverly Hills, CA 90212