Media Coverage

Human resource executives and other C-Suite leaders are grappling with unprecedented strain caused by “The Great Resignation” wage inflation and, more recently, concerns about a potential future recession. Never has the challenge of keeping employees healthy, safe and engaged been more fraught. While these complex issues elude an easy fix, a recent survey from Quest Diagnostics suggests HR executives are overlooking the retention power of a perk they already provide: health benefits. According to 1,269 HR executives and employees surveyed, 36% of employees who were thinking of leaving their jobs cited a desire for better healthcare benefits as a top reason.

Quest Diagnostics announced Nov. 28 that it completed its acquisition of LabCare Plus, the outreach laboratory services business of Ohio-based Summa Health.

Oncologist and Vice President of Medical Affairs at Quest Diagnostics, Dr. Yuri Fesko, talks about why shortening this gap is critical to ensuring better patient outcomes and shared steps hospitals, health systems and physicians can take now to reduce testing delays, improve outcomes and lower costs of care.

During the last 15 years, researchers have become increasingly interested in developing blood tests that provide a window into the brain. Today, three tests — by C2N Diagnostics, Quest Diagnostics and Quanterix — are on the market, with more on the way. C2N debuted a test two years ago based on discoveries by Washington University scientists. Tests by Quest and Quanterix entered the market this year. None is covered by Medicare. Other companies, including Eli Lilly and Roche, have developed tests or are working on them. Next-generation tests are on the way. C2N charges $1,250 for its test and offers financial assistance for eligible patients. Quest, which charges $500, said some health plans are paying for the test. Quanterix declined to disclose a price but said its test is much cheaper than specialized scans. All the companies are trying to secure broader insurance coverage.

Continued staffing shortages, more industry consolidation, and the growing ubiquity of at-home testing are just a few of the predictions that clinical laboratory experts are making for 2023. CLP recently asked clinical laboratory industry experts to weigh in on their predictions for the coming year. Following, in no particular order, are the top 10 predictions for 2023.