Q&A with Chief Clinical Officer, Health Plans and Policy Dr. Patrick James

Q: What is the makeup of the clinical team at Quest Diagnostics? We’re a team of more than 700 MDs and PhDs at Quest. Our specialties span clinical, anatomic and genomic pathology. The entire team is focused on bringing innovative diagnostic solutions to our customers that improve health, facilitate quality outcomes, and help our customers excel.

Q: How has the clinical team partnered with health plans? We’re pleased to work closely with health plans, in particular partnering with health plan medical teams on clinical laboratory policy development and review, as well as assisting with responses to claims denials. When we work with a health plan, we increasingly draw on our health economics and outcomes research to provide evidence-based consultation. Our focus is on advising on the right test, for the right member, at the right time. This is how we can help improve early detection and management, reduce long- term costs and help improve outcomes.

Q: What have been key factors in successful partnerships with health plans? Open dialogue with the medical directors at health plans lays the right foundation. This allows Quest to bring the right information and clinical team members to the table to support health plans in the development of clinical policies that promote health and quality outcomes for members. With this communications loop, we can make sure we sync our resources and evidence-based input with established clinical laboratory policy review calendars.

We’ve been able to showcase our Quest facilities during tours with medical directors. It’s fantastic to give others a firsthand look at our labs.

Q: What is the best way for health plans to connect with the Quest clinical team? The Quest Health Plan Directors and Account Executives coordinate our work with health plans. They’re able to bring together all of Quest’s resources, including the clinical team, to support our health plan customers.

Q: What are aspects ofe t hQuest clinical t eam that others may not be aware of? Many people may not know that we collaborate with academic institutions and other leaders in healthcare on exciting research. We’re working with the CDC, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and UCSF, to name a few.

Also, I think that our scientific breakthroughs are not common knowledge. From our human genome sequencing work that helps personalize disease management to being the first commercial lab in the U.S. with an H1N1 test, we’re on the cutting edge with science. When we bring our scientific thought leaders to meet with medical leaders from health plans, the response has been uniformly complimentary.

With these innovations, we’re helping the health care industry identify risk earlier, reduce long-term costs and improve member outcomes.

Patrick James, MD is Chief Clinical Officer, Health Plans and Policy, at Quest Diagnostics. Dr. James earned his medical degree with honors from St. Louis University. He completed his internship and residency training in anatomic and clinical pathology with board certification at the National Naval Medical Center and post-graduate training in cytopathology with board certification at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Dr. James has served in leadership positions at Quest Diagnostics and other leading healthcare organizations, as well as the U.S. Navy.