Proactive management in the managed care era.

Preparing for the future impact of managed care on clinical laboratories remains a complex challenge as the corporate strategies of health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and managed care contracting continue to evolve. Employers often fail to use data or quality measures to select an HMO, preventing a clinical laboratory from competing on patient care issues. Developing analysis skills and knowledge concerning physician ordering data, HMO information, costs, and capitation rate corridors prepares the enterprise and managers for a successful future.