Countering Corruption in Pathology Practices
Abusive billing practices have found their way into pathology practices through loopholes in federal regulations, and ASCP continues to combat such practices through educational sessions, an advocacy campaign, and recent discussions with federal policymakers.

ASCP offered educational sessions at its 2006 Annual Meeting in Las Vegas and the 2007 Annual Meeting of the United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology (USCAP) in March in San Diego. A similar program, called “Staying Legal in an Uncertain World,” is scheduled for Oct. 19 at the 2007 ASCP Annual Meeting in New Orleans

The ASCP Companion Meeting – “Controversies in Pathology: Sleaze, Graft, and Corruption and Why a Surgical Pathologist Needs to Care” – at USCAP drew more than 160 attendees. Robert E. Petras, MD, FASCP of AmeriPath, Inc., served as moderator. Robert L. Michel of The Dark Report gave an “Overview of Irregular Business Practices in Surgical Pathology.” Jane Pine Wood, Esq., of McDonald Hopkins Co. LPA presented “How to Compete When Everyone Seems to be Cheating”; and ASCP President John S.J. Brooks, MD, FASCP concluded the session with his presentation, “Organized Pathology to the Rescue: The ASCP Approach”. Copies of the speakers’ presentations are available online.

For more on ASCP initiatives to combat unethical business practices, visit:

• “Stop Pod Labs Now” campaign,
• Policy Statement on “Fee Splitting, Markups, and Related Practices,”
• Comments submitted to CMS on the 2007 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS), and
• ASCP e-Policy News