ATLANTA — June 26, 2013 — UCSF Dermatopathology and Oral Pathology Service, a leading national pathology practice affiliated with the University of California San Francisco, has partnered with McKesson to improve customer care and optimize collections. The partnership is a result of McKesson Business Performance Services’ (BPS) recent acquisition of Pathology Service Associates (PSA), a leading provider of business services and support to independent pathology practices and clinical laboratories.
UCSF Dermatopathology and Oral Pathology Service offers original diagnosis, consultation services, immunofluorescence and molecular testing to dermatology practices, dental practices , pathology and other dermatopathology groups nationwide. Philip LeBoit, MD, co-director of the eight-physician UCSF group, said the decision to select McKesson as the group’s revenue management provider reflects the range of benefits and services that McKesson can provide.
“Because our clients include both medical practices and patients from coast to coast, it was very important for us to partner with a company that could deliver professional customer and patient services as part of a comprehensive collections process,” LeBoit said. “With McKesson and its robust patient call center, we found an ideal fit for our practice.”
Timothy McCalmont, MD, co-director, added that the group also was enthusiastic about the improved coding and claims capabilities, compliance safeguards and denial management procedures that McKesson will bring to the partnership. He said that McKesson’s detailed financial and operational reporting will help support effective decision-making in a difficult business environment.
The principals of UCSF Dermatopathology and Oral Pathology Service recently had an opportunity to tour three pathology operations facilities and meet many of the personnel who would be involved in managing the group’s account. “We were extremely impressed with their expertise, responsiveness and professionalism,” McCalmont said. “Ultimately, in any business relationship, it comes down to the people involved.”
Pat Leonard, president, BPS, said the decision by a nationally recognized pathology group to choose McKesson demonstrates how important our comprehensive business and practice management services are in the current market.
“No matter what their size, many pathology groups are facing significant challenges today,” Leonard said. “Helping them overcome these problems is the focus of our business. We’re gratified that a prestigious group like UCSF Dermatopathology and Oral Pathology Service recognized our track record in delivering improvements in collections, customer service, compliance, coding and reporting.”
Leonard added that McKesson’s focus on pathology represents an important component in McKesson’s Better Health 2020 strategy, a comprehensive initiative designed to provide healthcare organizations with the capabilities needed to reduce costs, improve financial performance and successfully manage complex payment models.
