Deciphering the Code: Navigating the Complex World of Genetic Test Coding

Coding in the world of medical tests and personalized medicine may not be the most scintillating topic, but it's a critical puzzle piece that can make or break the seamless delivery of healthcare services. 

Our guest today is Dr. James Almas, the National Medical Director for Clinical Effectiveness at Labcorp, who provides an in-depth exploration of the complexities of medical coding in the context of personalized medicine. He shares deep insights into the intricacies of medical coding, especially in the context of genetic testing. 

The discussion highlights a need for a unified and effective solution in an ever-evolving landscape of genetic testing. 

The conversation also dives into:

• How coding impacts reimbursement and clinical utility 
• The background of how coding systems for genetic tests have evolved
• The introduction of Z codes by Moldex & Dex as alternatives to traditional coding systems and the challenges they present in terms of HIPAA compliance.

Dr. Almas is the National Medical Director for Clinical Effectiveness at Labcorp.  Prior to that he served as the Medical Director at MolDX (Palmetto) and has served as a medical officer at CMS (Coverage Group).  He is a board certified pathologist with years of service as a pathologist.  He served as the CAP’s advisor to the AMA’s CPT Editorial Panel.

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Stay connected with our host, Perry Dimas, here on LinkedIn! 

If you’re a Medical Director looking to advise laboratory innovators, please DM Perry on LinkedIn!