In This Issue:



• Previewing the impact of proposed Medicare Fee Schedule cuts
• Announcing our acquisition of MJB Lab Consulting
• Upcoming webinar on the revenue opportunities presented by Multi-Cancer Early Detection testing
• More information on proposed changes to NY State Lab Director qualifications
• Final opportunity to register for our payer contracting webinar on Aug. 19
• And more

Upcoming Webinar: What is Your MCED Strategy? Preparing for the Next Major Opportunity in Laboratory Testing

Multi-Cancer Early Detection testing could create one of the most significant new patient care and revenue opportunities laboratories have seen in years. With a Medicare coverage pathway now established for qualifying FDA-authorized tests beginning as early as 2028, interested laboratories should be considering their MCED strategy.

Join Jonathan Cohen of 20/20 BioLabs, Dr. Mao Mao of SeekIn, and Lighthouse Founder Jon Harol at 12 p.m. EDT, Wednesday, Sept. 2, for a forward-thinking discussion on:

• The potential impact of MCED testing on cancer screening

• The size and timing of the laboratory opportunity

• Possible testing, validation and referral strategies

• What laboratory leaders can begin doing now to prepare

The market is still taking shape. Now is the right time to develop your organization's plan.

Who should attend: Laboratory owners, executives, regulatory consultants, compliance leaders, revenue cycle and billing leaders, and medical directors.

VIEW HERE

Proposed Medicare Fee Schedule Cuts Raise the Stakes for Laboratory Revenue Cycle Performance

Healthcare providers continue to face increasing financial pressure as proposed Medicare payment changes threaten already narrow operating margins.

Pathology practices and laboratories performing related services are particularly vulnerable because even a relatively small reduction in reimbursement can become significant when applied across high-volume codes.

Read analysis from our RCM Experts>

More Information on Proposed Changes for New York Laboratory Director Qualifications

Following our initial update on this issue from last month, Lighthouse is providing additional clarifications on proposed changes to New York State Laboratory Director qualifications.

New York's Public Health and Health Planning Council has approved proposed revisions that would replace Part 19 with new Subpart 58-6 governing Clinical Laboratory Director qualifications. While the new framework is not yet formally in effect and final adoption is still pending, laboratories should begin preparing for what comes next.

🔹CLEP has temporarily suspended acceptance of new initial Certificate of Qualification (CQ) applications, as well as amendment applications. Initial CQ applications received before June 24, 2026, will continue to be processed while the new application system is finalized.

🔹The proposed framework creates separate Certificate of Qualification pathways for Laboratory Directors and Technical Directors. Depending on an individual's responsibilities, some professionals may need to obtain both certificates and pay separate application fees.

🔹Once the new process is implemented, individuals seeking to serve as a Laboratory Director will be required to submit a new Laboratory Director CQ application and pay the applicable fee.

🔹Current certificate holders should pay close attention to their renewal timelines. Those with certificates expiring between July and September 2026 who have already submitted renewals under the current process will need to reapply using the new application format, while individuals with later expiration dates will transition at renewal if they meet the updated eligibility requirements.

Most importantly, laboratories should begin evaluating leadership qualifications now. Under the proposed regulations, individuals who do not meet the new Laboratory Director eligibility requirements would not be able to obtain a Laboratory Director Certificate of Qualification, meaning affected laboratories may need to appoint a qualified replacement by January 2027.

Two Labs, Same Equipment, Completely Different Businesses

Thought leadership from Jon Harol, Founder, Lighthouse Lab Services

Two laboratories can use the same instruments, employ similarly trained scientists, and perform nearly identical assays while still operating as fundamentally different businesses.

In our latest article, Lighthouse Founder Jon Harol explores the regulatory and economic divide between research and clinical diagnostics and why organizations capable of bridging that divide will help shape the future of laboratory medicine.

Read the full article HERE>

The Lighthouse "Candidate Corner" is a recurring monthly spotlight featuring some of the great lab professionals our recruiters work with each day. Check out a quick preview of one individual below, then click over to our blog to see all five candidates for August.

If you'd like to learn more about anyone listed in this section or inquire about their ability to relocate, email us directly here!

Candidate: Histotechnologist

• Education: 
• MS Medical Lab Sciences

• Certification:
• HT (ASCP)

• Preferred Location:
• West Coast locations

View all candidates HERE>

Tomorrow: The Hidden Cost of Bad Payer Contracts

A favorable reimbursement rate does not always make a payer contract profitable. If that payer also generates frequent denials, lengthy appeals, delayed payments, or a heavy administrative workload, the true value of the relationship may look very different from what appears on the fee schedule.

Tomorrow, Aug. 19, at noon EDT, Lighthouse's Ann Lambrix will join Gene Oberst of Quadax to explore how laboratories can evaluate the full financial and operational impact of payer performance.

Register now HERE>

Lighthouse Lab Services has announced the acquisition of MJB Lab Consulting, a laboratory medical leadership and physician services platform specializing in CLIA Laboratory Director, Authorizing MD, physician oversight, and regulatory consulting services.

The acquisition expands Lighthouse’s ability to support clinical laboratories, physician office laboratories, hospitals, direct-to-consumer testing organizations, and emerging diagnostic companies with experienced medical leadership and physician oversight. Together, the combined organization will help laboratories build, operate, optimize, and grow high-performing laboratory programs while navigating an increasingly complex regulatory environment.

Existing MJB clients will continue working with the physicians and experts they know today, with Dr. Michael J. Bauer remaining actively involved to help ensure a seamless transition. Both teams are working closely to maintain continuity of service while providing clients with access to the broader capabilities and resources of Lighthouse Lab Services.

Read the full press release HERE>

SOFT-TIAFT 2026 Joint Meeting

• Sept. 19-24, 2026
• Chicago, IL.
• Learn more here

This email is brought to you as a service from Lighthouse Lab Services to provide quality and timely information that can improve your laboratory operations. We strive to maintain our position as the nation’s leading laboratory services platform and support your success.

The Lab Insighter is a monthly publication for Laboratory Owners and Decision Makers.