APF 2024
National Meeting

September 20-21, 2024
East Rutherford, NJ

The Hilton Meadowlands

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About APFContinuing EducationProgram
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Travel & Housing

About the American Pathology Foundation

The American Pathology Foundation (APF) is a non-profit professional society devoted to the business and management of pathology. Founded in 1959 by pathologist leaders and laboratory industry executives, APF strives to provide high quality educational programs and practice management resources.

To promote the practice management and leadership of pathology through training and education.

To enable pathology leaders and laboratory executives to lead and manage their organizations effectively in a changing economic, technological and health care policy environment.

To provide regular networking opportunities for members to help build and maintain long-lasting professional and friendship relationships with industry leaders and executives.

© 2024 The American Pathology Foundation. All rights reserved

LOCATION

33 W. Monroe St., Suite 1600,
Chicago, IL 60603

Exhibit & Sponsor

To regularly share best practices in all aspects of pathology and laboratory practice management, including, but not limited to, business, legal, coding, billing, leadership, human capital management, and new technologies aspects of our industry.

The Foundation proudly welcomes pathologists at all stages of their professional journey, including trainees, pathology practice managers and laboratory executive professionals in private practice, hospital and academic settings.  From a governance philosophy, membership to the APF board of governors is equally represented by pathologists and non-pathologist executives, with one co-president elected from each constituency.

Foundation Objectives:

Jane Pine Wood, JD

Robin Zweifel, MT (ASCP)

Advisory Members:

Board Members:

Patty Sipes

Dr. Karen S. Thompson, MD

Co-Presidents:

Dr. Tamera Paczos, MD, MS, FACP, FACOG

Kelley Suskie, MHSA, FACMPE

Secretary/Treasurer:

Dr. Leah Militello, MD, MBA

Board of Directors

Continuing Education

The APF 2024 National Meeting is approved for 6.0 CEU(s) by the AAPC. The index number(s) APF082324334A approval is valid from 9/1/2024 to 9/30/2025.

Forms to claim credit for CME, and AAPC approved activities will be provided on site and can be returned to the Registration Desk at the conclusion of the program, or by email request to jennifer.clark@ascp.org. Certificates are emailed to participants.

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas, Elements and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) with the American Pathology Foundation (APF). ASCP to provide continuing medical education for physicians and laboratorians, number of CME hours = 13.5.

Program

Day 1:  

Friday, October 28  |  8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

State of Employment in Pathology and the Laboratory Industry

Rich Cornell, Sante Consulting, LLC.

Surprise Billing

Emily Johnson and Elizabeth Sullivan, McDonald Hopkins

Molecular Coding & Billing Issues

Robin Zwiefel, BioReference Laboratories

RCM Enhancements to Boost Productivity and Revenue

Jeanette M. Gray, MBA, Propath

Difficult Cases - Coding Walkthrough Cytopathology

Robert C. Babkowski MD, MMM, FCAP, Stamford Health System and Brenda Cox, MT ASCP, CPC, FHFMA, Cox Consulting.

Difficult Cases - Coding Walkthrough Surgical & Molecular Pathology

Robert C. Babkowski MD, MMM, FCAP, Stamford Health System and Brenda Cox, MT ASCP, CPC, FHFMA, Cox Consulting.

Digital Pathology – Panel Discussion

Adam Cole, MD and Nicole Massoll, MD, UAMS Health and Patty Sipes

Digital Pathology - Implementations, Benefits & Issues

Adam Cole, MD and Nicole Massoll, MD, UAMS Health

The State of The M&A Market in Pathology and The Laboratory Industry

JonDavid Klipp, President, Laboratory Economics, LLC

Marijuana or Martini?

Elizabeth Sullivan, McDonald Hopkins

What I Learned During My Job Search Immediately Out of Fellowship Training

Chiraag (Chuck) Gangahar, MD, Fellow at Baylor

Workload Distribution in a Pathology Group

Karim Sirgi, MD, MBA, CEO Sirgi Consulting & Moira Larsen, MD, MedStar Health

Day 2:  

Saturday, October 29  |  8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Various Compensation Models for Pathologists

Elizabeth Sullivan, McDonald Hopkins

American Pathology Foundation 2024 Fall Seminar

September 20-21, 2024 | East Rutherford, NJ

The New Jersey location at the Hilton Meadowlands is located directly across the Hudson River from NYC with beautiful views of the City Skyline and easy access by train, Uber or car service.  This central location is located within miles of 3 major airports, Newark International (12 miles), LaGuardia (16 miles), and JFK (25 miles) with many direct flight options for travelers.  The hotel provides free overnight parking for those driving in and lodging rates are very competitive at $199, so reserve your room soon to receive conference pricing. See lodging link above. Nearby attractions include the 2nd largest mall in America, American Dream Meadowlands, with an entertainment complex that includes skiing, waterpark, golf, shops and restaurants with hourly shuttles from the hotel.  Of course, let’s not forget NYC and all it has to offer.  The Secaucus Junction Train Station is a 15 minute drive from the hotel with trains going back and forth to Penn Station regularly.

Learn more about exhibit and sponsor opportunities

Download the Prospectus

Phone: 312-541-4765
Fax: 312-541-4998 Email:info@apfconnect.org 

APF 2022 National Meeting

October 28-29, 2022 | Las Vegas, NV

The Westin Las Vegas Hotel & Spa

APF logo
Register Today!

Continuing Education

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas, Elements and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) with the American Pathology Foundation (APF). ASCP is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The ASCP designates this live educational activity for a = maximum of 13 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Non-Physician Attendees at APF’s 2022 National Meeting can 13 towards the American Pathology Foundation’s Practice Managers’ Certification and the organizational designation: APF C-PM. This designation encourages educational excellence within the APF non-physician membership through attendance and participation in pathology and practice management related programs.

The AAPC has provided a Certificate of Approval that this program meets AAPC guidelines for 9.5 Core A continuing education units for Day 1 and Day 2 combined.

Forms to claim credit for CME, CEU and C-PM activities will be provided on site and can be returned to the Registration Desk at the conclusion of the program or may be mailed or faxed to the APF National Office. Certificates are emailed to participants.

Program

Day 1:  

Friday, October 28
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

State of Employment in Pathology and the Laboratory Industry

Rich Cornell, Sante Consulting, LLC.

Surprise Billing

Emily Johnson and Elizabeth Sullivan, McDonald Hopkins

Molecular Coding & Billing Issues

Robin Zwiefel, BioReference Laboratories

RCM Enhancements to Boost Productivity and Revenue

Jeanette M. Gray, MBA, Propath

Difficult Cases - Coding Walkthrough Cytopathology

Robert C. Babkowski MD, MMM, FCAP, Stamford Health System and Brenda Cox, MT ASCP, CPC, FHFMA, Cox Consulting.

Difficult Cases - Coding Walkthrough Surgical & Molecular Pathology

Robert C. Babkowski MD, MMM, FCAP, Stamford Health System and Brenda Cox, MT ASCP, CPC, FHFMA, Cox Consulting.

Digital Pathology – Panel Discussion

Adam Cole, MD and Nicole Massoll, MD, UAMS Health and Patty Sipes

Digital Pathology - Implementations, Benefits & Issues

Adam Cole, MD and Nicole Massoll, MD, UAMS Health

The State of The M&A Market in Pathology and The Laboratory Industry

JonDavid Klipp, President, Laboratory Economics, LLC

Marijuana or Martini?

Elizabeth Sullivan, McDonald Hopkins

What I Learned During My Job Search Immediately Out of Fellowship Training

Chiraag (Chuck) Gangahar, MD, Fellow
at Baylor

Workload Distribution in a 
Pathology Group

Karim Sirgi, MD, MBA, CEO Sirgi Consulting & Moira Larsen, MD, MedStar Health

Day 2:  

Saturday, October 29
8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Various Compensation Models for Pathologists

Elizabeth Sullivan, McDonald Hopkins


American Pathology
Foundation 2022 Fall Seminar

October 28-29, 2022 | Las Vegas, NV

The Westin Las Vegas Hotel & Spa

160 East Flamingo Road Las Vegas, NV 89109, US

Book Today!

Experience Las Vegas
in a new way!

Refresh and revive at The Westin Las Vegas Hotel and Spa. Only steps from the excitement of the world-famous Las Vegas Strip, our hotel provides a restorative retreat from the action. Reserve a pet-friendly room or suite, intuitively designed with refreshing furnishings like our Westin Heavenly Bed. Prioritize your health and enhance your exercise impact with wellness initiatives including the Westin WORKOUT Fitness Center and our RunWESTIN program. A rejuvenating experience awaits you in our heated rooftop pool and at the peaceful Hibiscus Spa. Expand your palate with top-shelf whiskeys and modern American fare at The Good Plate or sip on a variety of cocktails at Maxim Lounge. If you are in Nevada for a corporate meeting or business event, we offer over 30,000 square feet of function space; delight your guests with our location near the Convention Center and attractions on the Strip. At The Westin Las Vegas Hotel and Spa, we are dedicated to ensuring that you leave us feeling better than when you arrived.

The Westin Hotel and spa exterior
About APFContinuing EducationTravel & HousingExhibit & SponsorRegister Today!
The Westin Hotel and spa exterior
The Westin Hotel and spa interior
The Westin Hotel and spa lobby
Time Event Faculty
7:00 AM BREAKFAST WITH EXHIBITORS
8:00 AM Welcome Tamera Paczos, MD, BioReference Health, APF Co-President

Ms. Kelley Suskie, MHSA, FACMPE, APF Co-President
8:05 AM Understanding & Improving NCCI Edit & Policy Billing Compliance Robin Miller Zweifel, MT (ASCP), BioReference Health, APF Pathology Service Coding Handbook Editor-in-Chief

Michael Watkinson, BS, CHC, COC, CPC, CPPM, Boston Children's Hospital, APF Pathology Service Coding Handbook Co-Editor
9:00 AM Transgender Patient Care: Challenges Faced by the Clinical Laboratory Leah Militello, MD, MBA, Fellow at Yale University, APF Board Member
10:00 AM BREAK WITH EXHIBITORS
10:15 AM Clarifying Date of Service Conundrums Robin Miller Zweifel, MT (ASCP), BioReference Health, APF Pathology Service Coding Handbook Editor-in-Chef

Michael Watkinson, BS, CHC, COC, CPC, CPPM, Boston Children's Hospital, APF Pathology Service Coding Handbook Co-Editor
11:15 AM Panel Discussion: Tips & Best Practices for Success Using Pathology Service Coding Handbook (includes tips on use; POLLING audience on future state) Robin Miller Zweifel, MT (ASCP), BioReference Health, APF Pathology Service Coding Handbook Editor-in-Chef

Michael Watkinson, BS, CHC, COC, CPC, CPPM, Boston Children's Hospital, APF Pathology Service Coding Handbook Co-Editor

Jeanette Gray, MBA, ProPath, APF Pathology Service Coding Handbook Co-Editor
12:30 PM END Enjoy the day In Las Vegas
View Program

Thursday, September 14, 2023

Friday, September 15, 2023

Time Event Faculty Location
7:00 AM – 8:00 AM BREAKFAST PROVIDED WITH EXHIBITORS Acacia D
8:00 AM – 8:10 AM Welcome Karim Sirgi MD, MBA and Kelley Suskie, MHSA, FACMPE, APF Co-Presidents Palo Verde Ballroom
8:10 AM – 9:10 AM Workload Distribution in a Pathology Group
| OPERATIONS
Karim Sirgi, MD, MBA, CEO Sirgi Consulting and Moira Larsen, MD, MedStar Health Palo Verde Ballroom
9:10 AM – 10:10 AM What I Learned During My Job Search Immediately Out of Fellowship Training
| WORKFORCE
Chiraag (Chuck) Gangahar, MD, Fellow at Baylor Palo Verde Ballroom
10:10 AM – 10:30 AM BREAK WITH EXHIBITORS Acacia D
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM Exploring Current Compensation Models for Pathologists
| WORKFORCE
Emily Johnson and Elizabeth Sullivan, McDonald Hopkins Palo Verde Ballroom
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM LUNCH PROVIDED WITH EXHIBITORS Acacia D
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM The State of The M&A Market in Pathology and the Laboratory Industry
| FINANCE/M&A
JonDavid Klipp, President, Laboratory Economics, LLC Palo Verde Ballroom
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM Digital Pathology—Implementations, Benefits & Issues
| NEW TECHNOLOGIES
Adam Cole, MD and Nicole Massoll, MD, UAMS Health Palo Verde Ballroom
2:30 PM – 3:00 PM Digital Pathology—Continued with Panel Discussion
| NEW TECHNOLOGIES
Adam Cole, MD, Nicole Massoll, MD, UAMS Health and Patty Sipes Palo Verde Ballroom
3:30 PM PROGRAM END Acacia D

Download the Schedule

With more than 100,000 members, ASCP's influence has guided the application and evolution of the pathology and laboratory medicine specialty since 1922.

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Exhibitors and Sponsors

Download the Schedule

With more than 100,000 members, ASCP's influence has guided the application and evolution of the pathology and laboratory medicine specialty since 1922.

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MorgueBoard logo

With more than 100,000 members, ASCP's influence has guided the application and evolution of the pathology and laboratory medicine specialty since 1922.

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Imagine-Software-Logo

With more than 100,000 members, ASCP's influence has guided the application and evolution of the pathology and laboratory medicine specialty since 1922.

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IPMS logo

With more than 100,000 members, ASCP's influence has guided the application and evolution of the pathology and laboratory medicine specialty since 1922.

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McDonald Hopkins logo

With more than 100,000 members, ASCP's influence has guided the application and evolution of the pathology and laboratory medicine specialty since 1922.

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PATHLINE logo
Imagine-Software-Logo

With more than 100,000 members, ASCP's influence has guided the application and evolution of the pathology and laboratory medicine specialty since 1922.

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Telcor logo

With more than 100,000 members, ASCP's influence has guided the application and evolution of the pathology and laboratory medicine specialty since 1922.

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Exhibitors

With more than 100,000 members, ASCP's influence has guided the application and evolution of the pathology and laboratory medicine specialty since 1922.

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Change Healthcare logo

With more than 100,000 members, ASCP's influence has guided the application and evolution of the pathology and laboratory medicine specialty since 1922.

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Imagine-Software-Logo

With more than 100,000 members, ASCP's influence has guided the application and evolution of the pathology and laboratory medicine specialty since 1922.

VIEW DETAILS
IPMS logo

With more than 100,000 members, ASCP's influence has guided the application and evolution of the pathology and laboratory medicine specialty since 1922.

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Lumea logo

With more than 100,000 members, ASCP's influence has guided the application and evolution of the pathology and laboratory medicine specialty since 1922.

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PATHLINE logo

With more than 100,000 members, ASCP's influence has guided the application and evolution of the pathology and laboratory medicine specialty since 1922.

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scimedico logo

With more than 100,000 members, ASCP's influence has guided the application and evolution of the pathology and laboratory medicine specialty since 1922.

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Telcor logo

With more than 100,000 members, ASCP's influence has guided the application and evolution of the pathology and laboratory medicine specialty since 1922.

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werfen logo

THANK YOU SPONSORS

BioRefrence logo

THANK YOU SPONSORS 

BioReference Logo
Schedule

Dr. Nicole A. Massoll, MD

CONTACT US

Dr. Michael Dugan, MD

Aaron Nichols, MHSA, FACMPE

Exhibitors and Sponsors

Time Event Faculty
7:00 AM BREAKFAST WITH EXHIBITORS
8:00 AM Welcome Tamera Paczos, MD, BioReference Health, APF Co-President

Ms. Kelley Suskie, MHSA, FACMPE, APF Co-President
8:05 AM How to Avoid Death by PowerPoint and Zoom: A Field Guide to Creating More Impactful Presentations Eric Glassy, MD, FCAP, Affiliated Pathologists Medical Group
9:00 AM Real & Imaginary Business Trends in Laboratory Medicine JonDavid Klipp, Publisher, Laboratory Economics
10:00 AM BREAK WITH EXHIBITORS
10:15 AM Digital Pathology: Compliance Considerations Elizabeth Sullivan and Emily Johnson, McDonald Hopkins
11:15 AM Surprise Billing Update Elizabeth Sullivan and Emily Johnson, McDonald Hopkins
12:15 PM Box lunch to go
12:30 PM END PROGRAM
Time Event Faculty
7:00 AM BREAKFAST WITH EXHIBITORS
8:00 AM Welcome Tamera Paczos, MD, BioReference Health, APF Co-President

Ms. Kelley Suskie, MHSA, FACMPE, APF Co-President
9:00 AM Pathology Job Interviews: Key Elements for Your Future Success Rich Cornell, Sante Consulting LLC
10:00 AM BREAK WITH EXHIBITORS
10:15 AM Culture, Citizenship and the Cure for a Toxic culture in the workplace Karim Sirgi, MD, Sirgi Consulting, APF Immediate Past-President and Board Member

Jeff Christinson, CEO Summit Pathology, Colorado
11:15 AM Grassroots Recruitment Initiatives John Baci, MBA, C-PM, Boston Children's Hospital, APF Board Member,
12:15 PM LUNCH WITH EXHIBITORS
1:00 PM Navigating PECOS Robin Miller Zweifel, MT (ASCP), BioReference Health, APF Pathology Service Coding Handbook Editor-in-Chief
2:00 PM Pathobabble: The Convergence of Pathology and ChatGPT Eric Glassy, MD, FCAP, Affiliated Pathologists Medical Group
3:00 PM BREAK WITH EXHIBITORS
3:15 PM Molecular Pathology: Improving Your Comfort With the Uncomfortable Robin Miller Zweifel, MT (ASCP), BioReference Health, APF Pathology Service Coding Handbook Editor-in-Chief
4:15 PM Legal Updates for Pathologists and Laboratories Jane Pine Wood, JD, BioReference Health, APF Board Member
5:15 PM - 6:15 PM COCKTAIL RECEPTION WITH EXHIBITORS

Saturday, September 16, 2023

Schedule

Friday, September 20

Schedule

Saturday, September 21Saturday, September 16View Program

APF Hilton Hotel Room Housing

Hotel Lodging Link

With more than 100,000 members, ASCP's influence has guided the application and evolution of the pathology and laboratory medicine specialty since 1922.

VIEW DETAILS
Quadax logo

With more than 100,000 members, ASCP's influence has guided the application and evolution of the pathology and laboratory medicine specialty since 1922.

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IPMS logo

With more than 100,000 members, ASCP's influence has guided the application and evolution of the pathology and laboratory medicine specialty since 1922.

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Voicebrook logo

With more than 100,000 members, ASCP's influence has guided the application and evolution of the pathology and laboratory medicine specialty since 1922.

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Advanced Strategic Partners logo

With more than 100,000 members, ASCP's influence has guided the application and evolution of the pathology and laboratory medicine specialty since 1922.

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Advanced Strategic Partners logo

Presentations for Attendees

Your access password will be provided by email and at the meeting.

Dr. Aaron Huber, DO

About the Program

Join pathologists, pathology business leaders, legal and billing/ coding professionals in a new venue for the APF at the Hilton Meadowlands, New Jersey, an east coast location with dense laboratory population and easy access nationwide. 

This two-day program for the APF 2024 Annual Meeting is programmed specifically to address needs for professionals:

Pathology laboratory management

Legal Issues

Billing and coding

Leadership

New technologies

National faculty experts include Physicians, Billing & Coding, and Business practice leaders in pathology that are unique to the APF and renowned for excellence in educational content. 

Program provides these Credits:

AAPC credits for billing & coding experts certification needs, approved for 6.0 hours

CMLE for laboratorians up to 13.5 credit hours

CME for physicians up to 13.5 credit hours

Brenda Cox, FHFMA, CPC, MT(ASCP)

View Website

American Dream Meadowlands, with an entertainment complex that includes skiing, waterpark, golf, shops and restaurants with hourly shuttles from the hotel.
For more information visit the links below.

View Brochure

American Dream Meadowlands

Special Conference Rate Pricing of $199! 

John  Baci, MBA, C-PM

Time Topic Category Educ Hours Event Faculty
7:00-8:00 AM EDT 0 BREAKFAST WITH EXHIBITORS
EXHIBIT HALL
8:00-8:15 AM EDT 0 Welcome to APF 2024 National Meeting

1. Share overview of APF and Benefits of Membership

2. Review Program Schedule with Session Highlights

3. Housekeeping information

Tamera Paczos, MD, FACP, FACOG
APF Co-President
Chair, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
BronxCare Health System

Kelley Suskie, MHSA, FACMPE
APF Co-President
Administrator, Path & Lab Medicine
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
8:15-9:15 AM EDT Legal 1.0 The FDA’s Final Rule: What Should I Do Now?,

1. Summarize an overview of the final rule

2. Describe potential challenges and pitfalls in the final rule

3. Formulate a plan for steps to take now.to address the changes

Elizabeth Sullivan
APF Member
McDonald Hopkins, LLC
9:15-10:15 AM EDT Emerging Technology 1.0 Gains > Pains? An Unfiltered Story of Complete Digital Pathology Transformation at Mount Sinai Health Network

1. Describe the process and team restructuring required for a full end-to-end implementation of whole slide imaging/digital pathology in a high volume academic anatomic pathology laboratory

2. Analyze the hidden costs and benefits that have materialized after a full digital pathology transformation

3. Discuss the consequences of not undergoing a digital pathology transformation

Gregory Henderson, MD, PhD
APF Past-President
President, PathForce Solutions LLC
10:15-10:30 AM EDT 0 BREAK IN EXHIBIT HALL
10:30-11:30 AM EDT Regulatory1.0 Navigating the Final FDA Rule on Laboratory Developed Tests regulated as Medical Devices

    1. Summarize Technical & Regulatory requirements for each phaseout step

    2. Review the parallel FDA IVD Reclassification Process

    3. Discuss Biopharma Clinical Trial Testing & Companion Diagnostic Opportunities for Laboratories

Kelly Gordon, PhD, MB(ASCP)CM
Founder @ Boudicca Dx. Precision Medicine Consulting
11:30-12:30 PM EDT Emerging Technology 1.0 Large Language Model Integrations Into Pathology and Healthcare

1. Describe AI/LLM Functionality and Limitations

2. Employ evaluation Methods of LLMs

3. Select possible Applications of LLMs to Pathology Workflows

Vektra Lu Casler, MD
Director of Clinical Laboratory Services for Jones Memorial Hospital
Clinical Pathologist and Informatician Dept. of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
University of Rochester Medical Center
12:30-1:30 PM EDT 0 LUNCH IN EXHIBIT HALL
1:30-2:30 PM EDT Industry Trends 1.0 Consolidation Trends in the Lab Industry

1. Differentiate the latest valuations for recent lab acquisitions

2. Discriminate how FDA regulation of LDTs will affect M&A trends

3. Summarize the latest commercial lab/hospital lab partnership models

JonDavid Klipp
Publisher, Laboratory Economics
2:30-3:30 PM EDT Billing & Coding 1.0 Implementing Genetic Counselor Requisition Review to Improve Billing Outcomes

1. Describe the different roles genetic counselors hold within the laboratory

2. Illustrate how clinical requisition review can assist in improving laboratory operations and potential reimbursement

3. Develop additional opportunities to incorporate genetic counselors into laboratory operations

Sarah E. Witherington, MS, CGC  
Senior Product Director, Franchise
BioReference Health LLC
3:30-3:45 PM EDT 0 BREAK IN EXHIBIT HALL
3:45-5:15 PM EDT Billing & Coding 1.5 Panel Discussion


Playing the Payer Game: Perspectives in Understanding the Payer Rules to Win the Game


Objective: Payers control the puzzle pieces in the game of reimbursement. Providers have to stay on top of these policies, requirements, guidelines, etc. in order to stay in the game. This session is to discuss some of those “game rules” directly impacting pathology and laboratories today.


Topics will include:

• Change Healthcare/Optum Cyber Attack

• Hospital/Contract Lab Services Relationships

    • Payer Issues

    • Payer Audits/Prepayment Review

    • Payer Policies/Prior Authorization

    • Z-Code (MolDX) Policy with Commercial Payers

• Digital Pathology Billing


Hear from the perspectives of practice management, billing/coding and legal in the latest regarding these active topics impacting the pathology and lab industry today. Learn more about these topics, what this may mean for your practice and how to play the game to positively impact reimbursement.

Moderator

Brenda Cox, MT ASCP, CPC, FHFMA
Cox Consulting


Panelists

Practice Manager: Jeffrey Christinson, CEO
Summit Pathology


Coding/Billing

Brenda Cox, MT ASCP, CPC, FHFMA
Cox Consulting


Legal

Danielle Tangorre, JD
Robinson Cole

5:15-6:30 PM EDT 0 COCKTAIL RECEPTION WITH EXHIBITORS
EXHIBIT HALL

Friday, September 20, 2024

Time Event Faculty Location
7:00 AM – 8:00 AM BREAKFAST PROVIDED WITH EXHIBITORS Acacia D
8:00 AM – 8:10 AM Welcome Karim Sirgi MD, MBA and Kelley Suskie, MHSA, FACMPE, APF Co-Presidents Palo Verde Ballroom
8:10 AM – 9:10 AM Workload Distribution in a Pathology Group
| OPERATIONS
Karim Sirgi, MD, MBA, CEO Sirgi Consulting and Moira Larsen, MD, MedStar Health Palo Verde Ballroom
9:10 AM – 10:10 AM What I Learned During My Job Search Immediately Out of Fellowship Training
| WORKFORCE
Chiraag (Chuck) Gangahar, MD, Fellow at Baylor Palo Verde Ballroom
10:10 AM – 10:30 AM BREAK WITH EXHIBITORS Acacia D
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM Exploring Current Compensation Models for Pathologists
| WORKFORCE
Emily Johnson and Elizabeth Sullivan, McDonald Hopkins Palo Verde Ballroom
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM LUNCH PROVIDED WITH EXHIBITORS Acacia D
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM The State of The M&A Market in Pathology and the Laboratory Industry
| FINANCE/M&A
JonDavid Klipp, President, Laboratory Economics, LLC Palo Verde Ballroom
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM Digital Pathology—Implementations, Benefits & Issues
| NEW TECHNOLOGIES
Adam Cole, MD and Nicole Massoll, MD, UAMS Health Palo Verde Ballroom
2:30 PM – 3:00 PM Digital Pathology—Continued with Panel Discussion
| NEW TECHNOLOGIES
Adam Cole, MD, Nicole Massoll, MD, UAMS Health and Patty Sipes Palo Verde Ballroom
3:30 PM PROGRAM END Acacia D

Download the Schedule

Schedule

Education Hours = 13.5 undergoing review for CME/CMLE and AAPC program approval

Saturday, September 21, 2024

Time Topic Category Educ Hours Event Faculty
7:00-8:00 AM EDT 0 BREAKFAST WITH EXHIBITORS
EXHIBIT HALL
8:00-8:15 AM EDT 0 Welcome to APF 2024 National Meeting

1. Program Day 1 Recap

2. Program Day 2 Overview

3. Housekeeping information

Tamera Paczos, MD, FACP, FACOG
APF Co-President
Chair of Pathology/Laboratory Medicine BronxCare Health System

Kelley Suskie, MHSA, FACMPE APF Co-President
Administrator, Path & Lab Medicine
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
8:15-9:15 AM EDT Leadership 1.0 The Uncomfortable Unwell Side of Wellness Activities

1. Discuss through open forum interactive lecture to address human resources, employee relations and the politics of fulfilling modern day wellness activities

2. Develop guidance to offering more broad wellness activities to today’s multigenerational workforce

3. Debate the origin, expansion and changes within the wellness industry

John Baci, MBA, C-PM

APF Board Member
Executive Director, Pathology and Chief Operating Officer,
Boston Children's Hospital

9:15-10:15 AM EDT Legal 1.0 The Do’s and Don’ts of a Malpractice Suit

1. Explain medical malpractice litigation

2. Analyze do’s and don’ts for physician and pathology professionals during a malpractice case

3. Compare real-life case examples

Michael F. Grady
Attorney at Law
Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker LLP
10:15-10:30 AM EDT 0 BREAK IN EXHIBIT HALL
10:30-11:30 AM EDT Billing & Coding1.0 Cracking the Code: Explore Common Coding and Billing Conundrums in Pathology

1. Develop solutions to address common coding problems

2. Appraise the most frequently encountered denials

3. Critique the most commonly asked coding questions to experts

4. Formulate a plan to breakdown communication barriers in pathology coding / billing

Tamera Paczos, MD, FACP, FACOG
APF Co-President
Chair of Pathology/Laboratory Medicine
BronxCare Health System

Robin Miller Zweifel, MT(ASCP)
APF Pathology Service Coding Handbook Editor-in-Chief
Director of Coding and Billing Compliance
BioReference Health, LLC
11:30-12:30 PM EDT Business 1.0 Observe, Diagnose and Adjust: Apply Pathology Principles to Recruit Successfully in Today’s Unbalanced Job Market

Clinical lab leaders in 2024 already know that recruiting is a challenge. The labs willing to adjust accordingly are the ones who are recruiting successfully. In this session, three ways for pathology leaders and lab executives to lean into their profession as an effective recruiting guide will be shared.


1. Validate current market trends. Observe the market -The numbers don’t lie, and new graduates have different values than previous generations

2. Analyze the recruitment approach. Diagnose - Think through your recruiting process and your culture to identify your issues

3. Formulate a plan to react to market demands. Adjust - Being informed is not enough. Lab leaders who pivot to reflect what today’s market demands are recruiting successfully

Rich Cornell
Santé Consulting, LLC
12:30-1:30 PM EDT 0 LUNCH IN EXHIBIT HALL
1:30-2:30 PM EDT Billing & Coding 1.0 Complexities of Pathology Claim Denials

1. Clarify Medicare and payer requirements for pathology claims

2. Employ useful tips regarding Medicare correct coding policies and modifier requirements

3. Demonstrate a more thorough knowledge of medical necessity requirements for pathology services

Tiffani Bouchard, CCS
APF Pathology Service Coding Handbook Co-Editor
Revenue Integrity Professional and Healthcare Industry Thought Leader

2:30-3:30 PM EDT Legal 1.0 Legal Updates for Pathology and Laboratory Providers

1. Receive information on new developments in 2024 that could affect their practices and laboratories

2. Learn strategies to address these developments

3. Share through Q&A attendee questions about challenges that they currently face

Elizabeth Sullivan
APF Member
McDonald Hopkins, LLC

Danielle Tangorre, JD
Robinson Cole
3:30-3:35 PM EDT 0 Program Wrap-Up

1. Thank you

2. Credit Claim Instructions

3. Evaluation Prompt

Tamera Paczos, MD, FACP, FACOG
APF Co-President
Chair of Pathology/Laboratory Medicine
BronxCare Health System

Kelley Suskie, MHSA, FACMPE
APF Co-President
Administrator, Path & Lab Medicine
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

 

3:35 PM EDT   PROGRAM END

With more than 100,000 members, ASCP's influence has guided the application and evolution of the pathology and laboratory medicine specialty since 1922.

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ROCHE

With more than 100,000 members, ASCP's influence has guided the application and evolution of the pathology and laboratory medicine specialty since 1922.

VIEW DETAILS

APS MEDICAL

Exhibitors and Sponsors

Telcor logo

TELCOR

ROCHE

APS MEDICAL

MORGUE BOARD

CORONIS HEALTH

MSN logo

MSN

LIGHTHOUSE 
LAB SERVICES

INTEGRATED PHYSICIANS MANAGEMENT SERVICES

LABCORP

FORMAPATH

HAVERFORD
HEALTHCARE ADVISORS

QUADAX

SCIMEDICO

Dr. Mario Gonzalez, MD

Dr. Steve Cheung, MD