1. A PROPATH Perspective …
Krista Crews
Executive Director

2. Keep in mind during these competitive times…
The playing field is always changing.
A lab is not a lab is not a lab.
You can distinguish yourself with important constituencies.

3. Rules of the game …
Payers will continue to look for and find ways to reduce reimbursement.
Providers will continue to look for ways to augment their income – inside and outside of their specialty.

4. The field is always changing …
The science of medicine
New testing; new methods
The business of medicine: new ways to expand a practice (or its income)
Client billing
In office clinical testing
Pod laboratories
In office anatomic pathology
Next….

5. Find ways to stay in the game!
Example: Remember when Paps were profitable?
Commoditized
Liquid-based entered and profitability returned
Commoditization: Part II
Redirect resources.
Focus on other areas of specialization as battle sites change.
Requires thought. Make the time.

6. The game will change … again … and again …
Legislation
Pricing
Liability
May not be the “easy money” it was made out to be

7. A lab … is not a lab … is not a lab ...
Pathology group depth
Collective in-house experience and training
Ability to assess and monitor quality
Special stain/study capabilities
Patient safety through technology
Barcoded requisitions, specimen containers, cassettes, slides
Slide engravers to prevent manual labeling; duplicate handling
Software/middleware for specimen and process tracking
Advance technologies: RFID

8. Distinguish yourself with other important constituencies …
Managed care
Professional liability carriers
Direct-to-patient
Be visible. Be vocal.