December 2022
Happy Holidays from Lighthouse Lab Services!

As we head into the new year, we want to take a moment to say "thank you" for being a dedicated reader of The Lab Insighter. This has been a busy year for our company, and we're looking forward to what 2023 brings as we continue to help keep the clinical laboratory and pathology community informed of the latest industry news and trends!
LATEST NEWS
1. How Temporary Staffing Can Be a Solution to Lab Shortages

Amid staffing shortages caused by pandemic fallout, a lack of new hires, and other factors, lab employers struggling to fill positions should keep in mind that they can cast a wider net by utilizing temporary lab staffing to fill their open jobs.
Benefits of temporary staffing for labs
2. Is Toxicology Reimbursement Becoming Increasingly Complex?

During a November webinar (watch on demand), we polled 106 toxicology lab owners and decision makers on how they felt about the current state of seeking reimbursement for their services. Of those who responded, 63% indicated they believe navigating the payer landscape is "becoming increasingly difficult to manage."
Conversely, 31% stated they felt the situation is "challenging, yet consistent", while just 6% responded that the process was "improving."

With new LCDs on the horizon in 2023, we expect to see new reimbursement challenges to navigate in MolDX regions.
Tox reimbursement webinar poll
3. Should DCLS Graduates Be Able to Serve as Lab Directors?

Recently, there's been a debate in the medical laboratory and pathology communities over whether or not those with a Doctorate of Clinical Laboratory Sciences (DCLS) are qualified to serve as CLIA Lab Directors. In the final part of our interview with Claude Rector, President-Elect of ASCLS, we discuss his organization's stance in defending DCLS holders as qualified Lab Directors.
DCLS qualified to serve as lab directors debate
RCM NEWS AND TIPS
1. What's Standard for Medical Lab Billing Contracts?

Entering into an agreement for medical billing services is an important process for any clinical lab or pathology group who does not have this service provided by a hospital or other partner. But what metrics and capabilities should a medical group or lab be looking for when searching for an external partner to assist with their billing operations?
Standards for Lab Billing Contracts
2. More Potential 2023 Medicare Cuts Looming

In addition to advocating for the Saving Access to Lab Services Act (SALSA) to delay pending cuts to the Clinical Lab Fee Schedule, we're also raising awareness of across-the-board PAYGO Medicare cuts that could be instituted in 2023. If Congress does not act soon, providers will face a 4% cut to Medicare payments in 2023. This would be in addition to the 4.5% decrease in the Medicare conversion factor that CMS finalized in the 2023 Physician Fee Schedule, resulting in a total payment reduction of 8.5 percent.

In previous years Congress passed legislation to suspend the sequester, and numerous healthcare organizations are now asking that they do so again.
Deep Dive: Paths to Consider When Commercializing an LDT
Options for commercializing LDTs
So, your lab’s research and development team has made a new scientific discovery for a laboratory test that you would like to bring to market. Congratulations! But what pathways are available to you, and what are the next steps in monetizing your discovery? Labs interested in offering their discovery should consider the sometimes-overlooked path of commercializing their test as a laboratory developed test (LDT).
"
Jon Harol - President - LLS
“Even if you pursue the path of getting full FDA approval, don’t just sit on your discovery for three to five years while working through that process. Most groups can’t afford to exist as an entity for that long without getting some kind of revenue in the door, which is why it’s worth exploring an LDT offering.”

-- Jon Harol, President, Lighthouse Lab Services
UPCOMING CONFERENCES WE'RE ATTENDING
1. Texas Society of Pathologists
CLIA Lab Director Openings
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The Lab Insighter is a monthly publication for Lab Owners and Decision Makers.