|
Managed care companies as well as Medicare and Medicaid have refused
to pay for tests without symptoms of disease - which
eliminates "Wellness" for most consumers.
And those who take charge of their own health for prevention and
early detection have turned to direct access services, such as DLS.
Physicians are not, however, left out of the loop.
DLS has licensed Physicians on staff to write orders, review results
and follow-up when necessary. Intervention includes referral to
ones primary care physician for diagnosis and treatment.
Many physicians and public health facilities refer their low-income
or uninsured patients to DLS to take advantage of the discounted
prices through the same clinical labs used otherwise.
John
A. Bell, President/CEO of Direct Laboratory Services, Inc., serves
on the Board of the newly formed trade organization Direct Access
Testing Association (DATA).
For more information, visit: D-A-T-A.org
In January, 2003, a meeting of
competitors sharing a common mission, was held in New Orleans, LA
, to form the
DIRECT
ACCESS TESTING ASSOCIATION (DATA)
An Organization for Direct-to-Consumer Laboratory
Testing
A major purpose for DATA is to establish standards of excellence
for members to include:
1. Maintenance of records for five
(5) years
2. Formation of a Screening Committee for membership review to ensure
that all members meet the standards set by DATA
3. Utilization of CLIA certified labs only
4. Highest standards for confidentiality of results
5. Physician reviewed test results
6. Mandatory follow-up on "out of range" results
7. Adherence to all CLIA, HIPAA, & OSHA regulations
8. Highest standards in phlebotomy including certification
9. Recommendations to DAT customers to have results referred to
their healthcare provider
10. DAT members cannot practice medicine, diagnose, or give treatment
or medical advise
|
