Running your own little lab on the side

[LanceArmstrong]

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I was just wondering if anyone has any experience with the logistics of having lets say a little lab in their office - just to do basic stuff urine, blood, cultures, etc instead of having them sent off. Also having your own xray / ekg / eeg / etc... Any personal experience would be appreciated from docs in any specialty....

 

[FamilyMD]

I was just wondering if anyone has any experience with the logistics of having lets say a little lab in their office - just to do basic stuff urine, blood, cultures, etc instead of having them sent off. Also having your own xray / ekg / eeg / etc... Any personal experience would be appreciated from docs in any specialty....

Ancillary services are a GREAT way to boost income. The key is how much you want to do. What I mean is some tests are CLIA-waived which is what most docs have. When you get into the different tests, some will require more documentation and training than others. Same with x-rays, etc. The good news is there is a definite trend in bringing most test "in-office" with CLIA waived status. Recently I bought a machine that can do cholesterol, liver test, A1C, PSA, all CLIA-waived and billable to the insurance company. Lots of docs now do spirometry, holter monitors, and EMG's (neurometrix) in office. These used to be just for specialists but companies are now targeting Primary Care to do these, CHA-CHING.