The Downfall of Pathology

[pathstudent]

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It looks like the government is quickly finishing off the complete dismantling of our profession which 15 years ago was probably among the best in terms of intellectual stimulation, collegiality with other physicians, lifestyle, autonomy and reimbursement.

I think we can trace the first domino back to the 1990s. Did you know that at one time the PC on an 88305 was in the range of 80-85? Back then the TC was much lower like closer to 25-30. Well pathologists griped that the TC was too low so CMS slashed the pay off the PC and tacked it onto the TC. So we lost a lot of PC (which is now down to 35 or so). When the TC got lucrative it got the Quests and Labcorps interested in AP, which then drew in the urologists and gastroeneterologists and the rampant client billing which has been going on for years now.

Well now because off all those entities the goose that laid the golden egg is dead. We are now losing all the TC in addition to the PC.

I envy the MikeSherrees of the world and the partners nearing retirement in my group. They had an amazing career. They were leaders of the medical staff, didn't have to kow tow to administrators, developed life long friends with docs of all types and lived very comfortable lives.

I feel our future is bleak in that we will never be better off than we are today and that is sad. ALl people no matter what they do or how much they make are always hopeful/exceptful that they will do better in the future. Teachers know their salaries will go up next year. A guy that owns a small business hopes it will continue to grow even if he had a great year. I don't expect to be better off 20 years from now than I am now.I except to be worse off. Let's hope I am wrong.

 

[Thrombus]

It looks like the government is quickly finishing off the complete dismantling of our profession which 15 years ago was probably among the best in terms of intellectual stimulation, collegiality with other physicians, lifestyle, autonomy and reimbursement.

I think we can trace the first domino back to the 1990s. Did you know that at one time the PC on an 88305 was in the range of 80-85? Back then the TC was much lower like closer to 25-30. Well pathologists griped that the TC was too low so CMS slashed the pay off the PC and tacked it onto the TC. So we lost a lot of PC (which is now down to 35 or so). When the TC got lucrative it got the Quests and Labcorps interested in AP, which then drew in the urologists and gastroeneterologists and the rampant client billing which has been going on for years now.

Well now because off all those entities the goose that laid the golden egg is dead. We are now losing all the TC in addition to the PC.

I envy the MikeSherrees of the world and the partners nearing retirement in my group. They had an amazing career. They were leaders of the medical staff, didn't have to kow tow to administrators, developed life long friends with docs of all types and lived very comfortable lives.

I feel our future is bleak in that we will never be better off than we are today and that is sad. ALl people no matter what they do or how much they make are always hopeful/exceptful that they will do better in the future. Teachers know their salaries will go up next year. A guy that owns a small business hopes it will continue to grow even if he had a great year. I don't expect to be better off 20 years from now than I am now.I except to be worse off. Let's hope I am wrong.

I disagree. Nearly every profession that is successful is being attacked except for the people who work for the federal government and those who can pay off the federal government. Federalism and cronyism is alive and well. We are the low hanging fruit, ripe for picking. 👎thumbdown👎

 

[rollwithit]

I disagree. Nearly every profession that is successful is being attacked except for the people who work for the federal government and those who can pay off the federal government. Federalism and cronyism is alive and well. We are the low hanging fruit, ripe for picking. 👎thumbdown👎

We can agree on something! 👍

 

[KeratinPearls]

Recently, I attended a talk where the person said there will be a shortage of pathologists in the coming years. He has the data. What do you guys think of this?

 

[WEBB PINKERTON]

Recently, I attended a talk where the person said there will be a shortage of pathologists in the coming years. He has the data. What do you guys think of this?

Did the person also spew out that garbage about the affordable care act creating more jobs?

 

[KeratinPearls]

Did the person also spew out that garbage about the affordable care act creating more jobs?

Nope.

 

[WEBB PINKERTON]

Nope.

Good. I saw a presentation recently and the person claimed it would lead to an average of 10 percent growth in accessions each year. I highly doubt their claims, especially with more out of pocket expense and restricted networks.

 

[deleted314957]

It looks like the government is quickly finishing off the complete dismantling of our profession which 15 years ago was probably among the best in terms of intellectual stimulation, collegiality with other physicians, lifestyle, autonomy and reimbursement.

I think we can trace the first domino back to the 1990s. Did you know that at one time the PC on an 88305 was in the range of 80-85? Back then the TC was much lower like closer to 25-30. Well pathologists griped that the TC was too low so CMS slashed the pay off the PC and tacked it onto the TC. So we lost a lot of PC (which is now down to 35 or so). When the TC got lucrative it got the Quests and Labcorps interested in AP, which then drew in the urologists and gastroeneterologists and the rampant client billing which has been going on for years now.

Well now because off all those entities the goose that laid the golden egg is dead. We are now losing all the TC in addition to the PC.

I envy the MikeSherrees of the world and the partners nearing retirement in my group. They had an amazing career. They were leaders of the medical staff, didn't have to kow tow to administrators, developed life long friends with docs of all types and lived very comfortable lives.

I feel our future is bleak in that we will never be better off than we are today and that is sad. ALl people no matter what they do or how much they make are always hopeful/exceptful that they will do better in the future. Teachers know their salaries will go up next year. A guy that owns a small business hopes it will continue to grow even if he had a great year. I don't expect to be better off 20 years from now than I am now.I except to be worse off. Let's hope I am wrong.

Pathstudent, you seem to be a class act and sharp cookie. i hope it all goes well for you.

 

[MOHS_01]

Recently, I attended a talk where the person said there will be a shortage of pathologists in the coming years. He has the data. What do you guys think of this?

Dollars to yen he's wrong.

Well.... then again... maybe. The Bureau of Health Resource Management may pull a German maneuver when it comes to managing labor supply and limit pathologists to 24 hours per week in clinical activity. Then maybe he's on to something.

 

[LADoc00]

Der Untergang!

 

[Path or bust]

Recently, I attended a talk where the person said there will be a shortage of pathologists in the coming years. He has the data. What do you guys think of this?

Tell us more about "the data".

 

[KCShaw]

Yes, indeed. So far all such "data" I have reviewed has, in my opinion, been flawed, incomplete, or otherwise inappropriate as the only sources for such broad declarations, and tends to not address the myriad other concerns folks have voiced about why certain conclusions may be very big presumptive jumps.

 

[Path or bust]

Yes, indeed. So far all such "data" I have reviewed has, in my opinion, been flawed, incomplete, or otherwise inappropriate as the only sources for such broad declarations, and tends to not address the myriad other concerns folks have voiced about why certain conclusions may be very big presumptive jumps.

I am as unimpressed as you are.

I've seen people toss the word "data", as a means to try to shut everyone up. Lets look at it, lets dissect it and see if it stands to scrutiny. The CAP and ASCP has pushed "data" out before only to fall flat on their faces.

Let's see it, Keratinpearls.......