18. Diagnostics at a published price
Providers of specialized services Planned episode, referrals and the system. Imaging, laboratory and physiologic studies with cash prices quoted in advance.
Listener title: Imaging, labs and studies at a price quoted in advance
Listener description: The founder of an independent imaging center or laboratory talks with the host about diagnostics with a cash price quoted before the study: how ordering physicians find centers that run the protocol they asked for, how the quality of the read can be checked, and what turnaround to expect. For providers of specialized diagnostic services and the physicians who order from them.
Run of show (about 40 minutes)
| Time | Segment | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 0:00 to 2:00 | Opening | The host introduces the topic and the guest's role, the founder of an independent imaging center or laboratory. The guest discloses any industry relationships, including ownership interests, and notes that they speak for themselves, not for the network. Prices come up only as method. No patient information on this episode. |
| 2:00 to 11:00 | The protocol you asked for | Talking point 1. How does an ordering physician find a center that will run the requested protocol rather than the default? The guest explains how outside requests reach the technologist or the bench, what makes a request clear, and how the center says up front when it cannot do what was asked. The host draws examples from the advanced imaging and procedural studies rosters, such as echocardiography with aortic root measurement and Z-score, and asks how a center confirms the requested measurement will appear in the report. |
| 11:00 to 20:00 | Checking the read | Talking point 2. The guest explains how their center assures the quality of the read: who reads, in which subspecialty, and how the report answers the question asked. For laboratories, the host reads the esoteric assays roster's criteria as written: "CLIA-certified for every test listed, and accredited by CAP or another deemed accreditor; CAP inspection is one of the deemed routes to CLIA certification," and "Sequencing results signed out by a board-certified clinical molecular geneticist or molecular genetic pathologist, with variants classified on the five-tier ACMG-AMP scale." The host also reads the roster's note: "According to a 2026 review, the FDA rescinded its 2024 rule on laboratory-developed tests in 2025 after a federal court ruling, leaving CLIA as their primary oversight." The guest explains how a physician outside a health system can verify these things. |
| 20:00 to 28:00 | Turnaround and the direct line | Talking point 3. What turnaround does the guest quote, and how do they measure it against what they deliver? What happens with an unexpected or critical result? How does the ordering physician reach the reader? The host notes the advanced imaging roster's criterion, turnaround under a week for routine studies with a direct line for the ordering physician, and asks whether that fits the guest's modality or assay. |
| 28:00 to 35:00 | Quoting the price before the study | Method only. The guest explains how they build a cash quote, what it includes (the study, the read, the images and report to the patient), and how the quote reaches the patient before the appointment. For laboratories: how sample logistics from Colorado, such as tube, temperature and shipping days, get written down for an outside office. |
| 35:00 to 38:00 | Being on a roster | Roster entries are listed only after a member vouches and the criteria are checked, and nobody pays to be listed. The guest says what an ordering physician most needs to see in a roster entry. |
| 38:00 to 40:00 | Closing | One practical takeaway: write the protocol or measurement you need on the order, and ask for it in the report. Centers and laboratories that publish cash prices and run the protocol requested can express interest at coloradocarenetwork.com/join, or write to hello@coloradocarenetwork.com. |
Guest prep questions (sent to the guest a week ahead)
- When an outside physician asks for a protocol or measurement that is not your default, how does that request reach the technologist or the bench, and how do you confirm it was done?
- Who reads or signs out your studies, and how could an ordering physician outside a health system check their qualifications? If you run a laboratory, which certifications and accreditations do you hold?
- What turnaround do you quote for routine work, how do you track it against what you deliver, and how do you handle an unexpected or critical result?
- How do you build a cash quote and get it to the patient before the study? We will discuss method only, not amounts.
- What is most often missing from the orders you receive from independent practices, and what would you want them to include?
Show notes
The founder of an independent imaging center or laboratory joins the host to talk about diagnostics at a price quoted in advance. They discuss how ordering physicians find centers that will run the requested protocol, how read quality and laboratory certification can be checked, and what turnaround and access to the reader an ordering physician can ask for. Prices are discussed only as method.
- Sources and tools:
- Advanced imaging: https://coloradocarenetwork.com/cohorts/advanced-imaging/
- Procedural studies: https://coloradocarenetwork.com/cohorts/procedural-studies/
- Esoteric assays: https://coloradocarenetwork.com/cohorts/esoteric-assays/
- From the References on the esoteric assays roster, on laboratory certification, oversight and sign-out:
- Kaul KL, Sabatini LM, Tsongalis GJ, et al. The case for laboratory developed procedures: quality and positive impact on patient care. Acad Pathol. 2017;4:2374289517708309. doi:10.1177/2374289517708309
- Choi J, Jeon S, Jung J, et al. Comparative analysis of in vitro diagnostic medical devices and laboratory-developed tests: insights from global regulation. Health Policy. 2026;172:105694. doi:10.1016/j.healthpol.2026.105694
- Richards S, Aziz N, Bale S, et al. Standards and guidelines for the interpretation of sequence variants: a joint consensus recommendation of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics and the Association for Molecular Pathology. Genet Med. 2015;17(5):405-424. doi:10.1038/gim.2015.30
- No patient information is discussed on this episode.
All planned episodes. To be the guest for this episode, email hello@coloradocarenetwork.com with the episode number.
Colorado Care Network. 18. Diagnostics at a published price. Version 2026-10-30.