As previously communicated, IBC has selected Laboratory Corporation of America^® Holdings (LabCorp) as our exclusive national outpatient laboratory provider effective July 1, 2014. LabCorp includes the following members of its Specialty Testing Group: Dianon Pathology, Integrated Oncology, Integrated Genetics, MedTox Laboratories, Monogram BioSciences, Litholink, Endocrine Sciences, and Colorado Coagulation. In addition to LabCorp, the IBC network will include other currently contracted laboratories that will remain in our network.

This change covers all Blue-branded product lines and members (i.e., Personal Choice^®, Keystone Health Plan East, and Independence Administrators), including individual, group commercial, and Medicare Advantage members, for services rendered in the Philadelphia five-county region and contiguous counties (i.e., the counties that surround the IBC service area).

IBC?s contract with Quest Diagnostics^® laboratories will end for Blue-branded product lines effective July 1, 2014.

Why we are making this change

Health care is undergoing rapid, remarkable change, spurred by implementation of the health care reform law, an increasing focus on the individual consumer, and continuing cost pressures. In late 2013, IBC initiated a project to evaluate an exclusive national outpatient laboratory network concept, which has been effective in helping other insurers contain medical costs without affecting quality. Our partnership with LabCorp, a leading national laboratory, will allow for enhanced clinical initiatives to improve patient care.

Patient access and new LabCorp patient service centers (PSC)

IBC?s laboratory network will provide access that is generally equivalent to or better than the access members have with IBC?s current laboratory network (including Quest Diagnostics). Prior to July 1, 2014, LabCorp will significantly expand the number of PSCs in the IBC service area to provide convenient member access. With the addition of newly built PSCs, LabCorp will have approximately 169 access points, including an estimated 50 new sites, in the IBC service area by July 1, 2014. LabCorp will also provide lab specimen courier pick-up services for all applicable participating physician offices effective July 1, 2014.

In the very near future, we will communicate more information about the locations of LabCorp?s new PSCs. Physicians can find current LabCorp PSCs and other participating laboratories by using the Find a Doctor tool.

Resources

Please visit the LabCorp-dedicated section of our Provider News Center. This section contains provider-specific frequently asked questions (FAQ), a list of other currently contracted laboratories that will remain in our network in addition to LabCorp, and other resources for you and your office staff.