OML is regional laboratory for United Healthcare

February 12, 2006

OML has recieved confirmation from United Healthcare regarding our laboratory provider status.

Letter from United Healthcare.(PDF: 89KB)

November 15, 2006

Recently, United Healthcare (UHC) announced that it is replacing Quest Diagnostics with LabCorp as its ‘national’ provider for laboratory services, effective January 1, 2007.

In most of the country, physicians may continue to choose from among the UHC’s network of regional and local laboratories.Oregon Medical Laboratories is pleased to be one of UHC’s valued regional laboratory providers.

As of January, physicians will be expected to use LabCorp for HMO benefit plans only in the following markets where LabCorp is the exclusive national capitated laboratory services provider: PacifiCare in Arizona and Colorado, Neighborhood Health Partnership in Florida, and Mid-Atlantic Medical Services (MAMSI) in Maryland and Virginia.

Just as UHC’s contract with Quest did not affect OML’s ability to provide services for UHC patients, the same is true for its agreement with LabCorp. OML will continue to bill and honor UHC’s pricing based on our contract for all UHC patients.

In addition, if you need a laboratory to replace Quest, we invite you to consider OML. In addition to UHC, OML accepts all major health plans. More information about this announcement can be found in our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) below or by contacting an OML representative.

Finally, LabCorp may contact your members asking them to provide their physician’s National Provider Identifier (NPI). Please know that your members are not obligated to provide this information. In addition, you may be incorrectly told that your patients will be subjected to higher co-pays if they continue to use OML.

If you have questions arising as a result of this announcement, please contact your OML representative or, if you prefer, call Peter LaPorte, Director of Sales directly at 503.293.8486.

Are physicians who use Quest Diagnostics or another laboratory expected to switch to LabCorp as of January 1, 2007?

I received notification from LabCorp requesting our physician’s National Provider Identifier (NPI). LabCorp indicated that they are the only lab that can provide services for UHC patients without the patient being charged more.

How will this affect United Healthcare members?

LabCorp told me they are the only laboratory which can provide lab services for UHC patients. Is that true?

Initially, a UHC rep said that OML could not provide contracted services for UHC patients. Yet information on UHC’s own web site indicates OML is a contracted provider.

I still use Quest for some of my patients. Now what should I do?

Who should I contact if I have further questions?

QUESTION: Are physicians who use Quest Diagnostics or another laboratory expected to switch to LabCorp as of January 1, 2007?

ANSWER: No. In most of the country, physicians may continue to choose from among the UHC’s network of regional and local laboratories. As of January 1, 2007, physicians will be expected to use LabCorp for HMO benefit plans only in the following markets where LabCorp is the exclusive national capitated laboratory services provider: PacifiCare in Arizona and Colorado, Neighborhood Health Partnership in Florida, and Mid-Atlantic Medical Services (MAMSI) in Maryland and Virginia.

QUESTION: I received notification from LabCorp requesting our physician’s National Provider Identifier (NPI). LabCorp indicated that they are the only lab that can provide services for UHC patients without the patient being charged more.

ANSWER: UHC announced recently that LabCorp will replace Quest as its “single national provider for laboratory services effective January 1, 2007.” Just as UHC’s contract with Quest did not affect its contract with OML, UHC’ new contract will not affect OML’s ability to provide services for UHC patients. OML will continue to bill and honor UHC’s pricing based on our contract for all UHC patients. UHC’s announcement specifically stated that the new contract ‘will complement our wide range of local and regional laboratory service providers’. OML continues to be a UHC participating laboratory.

QUESTION: How will this affect United Healthcare members?

ANSWER: According to UHC’s web site: “As long as physicians use one of United Healthcare’s participating laboratories, you will not see any changes to your health care experience.”

QUESTION: LabCorp told me they are the only laboratory which can provide lab services for UHC patients. Is that true?

ANSWER: In some parts of the country and for some plans, that may be a correct statement. However, this is not the case in the Pacific Northwest. In fact, in most of the country, UHC will utilize other regional and local laboratory service providers.

QUESTION: Initially, a UHC rep said that OML could not provide contracted services for UHC patients. Yet information on UHC’s own web site indicates OML is a contracted provider.

ANSWER: UHC’s announcement has created confusion among staff as well as its members and the general public. However, OML has reviewed its contract with UHC and confirmed of our ability to honor UHC’s pricing based on our contract for all UHC patients. Our ability to do so is evidence on the UHC web site.

QUESTION: I still use Quest for some of my patients. Now what should I do?

ANSWER: OML is one of the few laboratories able to accept all major health plans in Oregon. We invite you to consider using OML for all your patients.

QUESTION: Who should I contact if I have further questions?

ANSWER: Please contact your OML representative or call our Client Services department at 800.341.2971 and you will be connected with a representative.