Several federal agencies have jointly proposed a rule which would allow patients to have direct access to lab test results, rather than having to go through their physicians. The proposed rule would amend the patient privacy provisions of two federal laws, the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA), and the Health Insurance Portability and…
Under the Protecting Access to Medicare Act (PAMA), Congress changed the way Medicare determines rates for the Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule (CLFS), and the implementation of PAMA led to a significant cut for a majority of the routine tests physicians use every day to care for their patients. The physician community has been increasingly concerned…
GiveBack365, a new community initiative and website sponsored by COLA, aims to build public awareness and support of laboratory medicine by encouraging industry partners to “Give Back” and help to enrich the lives of current and future laboratory professionals, 365 days a year. The program provides resources to current and future laboratory professionals while encouraging…
Analysis Tool Helps Clinical Laboratories Assess Costs of Lab Testing
COLA, a national laboratory accreditor dedicated to quality in laboratory medicine and patient care, announces the appointment of Nicole D. Riddle, MD, to its Board of Directors. Dr. Riddle joins COLA’s Board of Directors comprised of prominent professionals appointed by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), the American College of Physicians (ACP), and the…
The NIH Genetic Testing Registry (GTR) is a database of genetic tests that aims to bring transparency to the field, promote test data sharing, and advance public health and research into the genetic basis of health and disease. You can read more about how to participate and when you are ready, you can start the…
In this complimentary COLA Primer you will find:
Lessons Learned from Hurricane Irene By Douglas Beigel, Chief Executive Officer COLA Hurricane Irene may finally be history, but for some labs, the hard part – cleaning up and resuming operations – has just begun. The cost of the storm is presently estimated to be up to $10 billion, making it one of the top…
As the 112th Congress continues to consider significant cuts to the current federal budget and beyond, many vital programs affecting the nation’s public health and safety could be in serious jeopardy.
It’s 2012…Do You Know Who Your Congressman Is? By Doug Beigel Perhaps you’ve heard the following phrase before: “It’s 11 PM…do you know where your children are?” In light of everything happening in the public policy arena related to healthcare right now, I suggest that a new phrase is in order: “It’s 2012…do you know…
