The molecular pathology services profession has been in turmoil since January, waiting for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid to calculate a national reimbursement limit for molecular pathology Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes. The CPT codes play a vital role in ensuring pathologists are reimbursed for their medical laboratory services for Medicare and Medicaid patients and are among the hot topics in the current national dialogue about healthcare reform. Read more

For more than 40 years, Patricia Ellinger, MSEd, MASCP, MLS(ASCP)^CMSSB^CM, has forged new pathways in the education and certification of medical laboratory professionals and elevated the stature of the profession. Ms. Ellinger, a nationally recognized medical laboratory leader, will deliver the Barbara Castleberry Lecture for Laboratory Professionals at ASCP 2013 Chicago, from 3 to 3:50 p.m. Sept. 20, at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. Read more

Medical laboratories today are threatened by larger players—insurance companies and large medical centers—buying their facilities, combining services, and cutting costs—including jobs. Read more

Too often convenience overrides common sense in health care. Clinicians may order a laboratory test instead of performing a complete patient history and a physical examination. However, many times it is preferable for clinicians to actually gather the “non-test information up front,” says Lee Hilborne, MD, MPH, FASCP, DLM(ASCP)^CM, who will moderate a general session at the ASCP 2013 Annual Meeting, Sept. 18–20, at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. Read more