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Remembering COVID: Healthcare CFOs Say They’ll Continue to Spend on Technology and Automation Despite the Pandemic
March 24, 2026
Editor’s Note: Although the global COVID-19 Public Health Emergency officially ended in May 2023, its impact continues to shape how clinical laboratories and pathology groups approach operations, technology, and financial sustainability.
At LigoLab, supporting our laboratory partners throughout the pandemic was a top priority. We adapted to their evolving needs, delivering innovative medical laboratory information system software solutions to help them navigate unprecedented challenges. Our collaboration ensured resilience during the crisis, from optimizing laboratory workflow management to enhancing patient and provider safety.
A defining aspect of this journey was capturing our partners' resilience on the front lines in real-time. As we honor their dedication, let’s look back at this blog post, originally published on July 1, 2021.
Healthcare Leaders Double Down on Laboratory Software Systems and Automation
Deep declines in volume and revenue collection brought on by COVID-19 are forcing healthcare CFOs to cut or defer spending; however, the results of a Black Book Research poll published in Healthcare Finance News (article linked below) revealed that even with the deep cuts, most don’t plan to reduce spending in the areas of technology and automation.
Healthcare Finance News: Healthcare CFOs Look to Technology and Automation for COVID-19 Recovery
Survey results show that 88% of respondents plan to continue investing in technology and automation, recognizing digital transformation as essential not only for survival but for long-term success in the post-pandemic landscape.
For laboratories, shrinking margins and increasingly complex payer requirements were already significant challenges. The pandemic has only intensified these issues, accelerating the need for more advanced and innovative laboratory billing solutions to help labs navigate uncertainty and emerge stronger.
So, if the budget for diagnostic lab software technology and transforming into automated labs remains, what laboratory billing solutions should CFOs pursue?
Get Insight: Six Reasons Why You Should Choose an Integrated Laboratory Billing Solution for Your Medical Lab
Unlock Your Lab’s Revenue Potential with a Fully Integrated Medical LIS & Lab Billing Platform
LigoLab views the industry as entering a critical paradigm shift, where financial success is driven by fully integrated medical laboratory information systems and laboratory revenue cycle management platforms. By connecting clinical and financial workflows, this approach ensures the RCM process begins at order entry, maximizing efficiency and revenue capture from the start.
The traditional back-end lab RCM process with siloed systems for medical LIS and laboratory billing workflows leads to inconsistent data, high denial rates, costly rework of claims, and sizable write-offs.
Compare that frustrating scenario with the maximum efficiency, real-time patient and insurance data verification, clean claim validation, and laboratory insights that come with fully integrated medical laboratory solutions on one comprehensive lab organization software platform, and you can see why this new LIS model is taking hold.
Investing in LIS system software and lab billing upgrades during uncertain economic times may feel risky, but delaying innovation only prolongs existing challenges. The workflow bottlenecks that hindered labs before the pandemic will still be there, and they won’t fix themselves.
With a new mindset and a new LIS model for collections that connects all clinical workflows, labs can gain insights into all departments and processes, minimize the effects of COVID-19, and prepare to hit the ground running post-pandemic.
Discover More: Understanding the Real Costs of Non-Integrated RCM Systems
Make Lab Revenue Cycle Management Your Priority
Operating a successful laboratory is challenging enough without being hindered by outdated and disconnected laboratory billing systems and processes.
As noted earlier, in-house lab billing has traditionally been viewed as merely a backend RCM process initiated after services are rendered. However, this outdated approach overlooks significant opportunities that become clear when a lab is open to adopting a more integrated and proactive strategy.
Integrating LIS laboratory information system software with modern laboratory billing solutions provides immediate access to advanced third-party RCM tools. This integration enables real-time capture and validation of essential lab billing data, including patient demographics, address verification, insurance discovery, and eligibility checks.
Seamless connectivity between a healthcare LIS and its integrated lab RCM module eliminates data silos, empowering laboratories and pathology groups to track procedures as they happen.
With combined modules and LigoLab’s advanced automation engine, integration creates a transparent environment ideal for precise coding and accurate revenue capture. Processes burdened by manual entry and error-prone activities become automated, beginning with precise pre-coding within the LIS system that seamlessly transitions to the Billing Encounter entity housed within the lab RCM module.
Get Insight: Maximizing Your Lab’s Profitability - The Case for In-House Lab Billing
Laboratories Embrace Integrated Medical LIS & Lab RCM as Industry Pressures Accelerate Change
LigoLab has consistently advocated for this transformative shift within the industry and is encouraged to see more medical laboratories recognizing the substantial benefits of integrated LIS systems and laboratory billing solutions, prioritizing accurate and efficient lab billing from when lab orders are initiated.
Unfortunately, many laboratories are driven to change only by necessity.
As shrinking reimbursements, escalating labor costs, increasingly complex payer requirements, and tightening regulations significantly impact labs, they will eventually discard their traditional RCM cycle to remain viable businesses.
On-Demand Webinar: Unifying Technical and Financial Operations to Minimize Denials and Prevent Revenue Leakage
LigoLab Offers Advanced Laboratory Billing Solutions to Transform Clinical Lab Workflow
LigoLab's integrated laboratory billing solutions significantly improve clinical lab workflow by boosting revenue by 15-35 percent, achieving a 95 percent first-pass claim payment rate, and reducing manual labor by 30 percent.
This integrated approach enhances efficiency, profitability, and compliance, offering substantial advantages over traditional standalone laboratory revenue cycle management systems. Ready to see integration in Action? Contact LigoLab today.
Act Now: Speak with a LigoLab Product Specialist!
FAQs About Integrated Laboratory Information System Software and Laboratory Billing Platforms
What is an integrated medical LIS and lab RCM platform?
An integrated laboratory information system (LIS) and laboratory revenue cycle management (lab RCM) platform combines laboratory information system functions with laboratory billing capabilities in a single system, enabling frictionless clinical and financial workflows.
Why is integration between medical LIS and lab billing platforms important?
Integration eliminates data silos, improves laboratory billing accuracy, reduces claim denials, and ensures the RCM cycle begins as the test order arrives, leading to faster reimbursements and optimized financial outcomes.
How does an integrated LIS system improve laboratory revenue?
With automated eligibility checks, coding, and claim validation, an integrated laboratory information system streamlines billing, reduces denials, and maximizes medical laboratory profit.
What challenges do standalone laboratory information system software and laboratory billing systems create?
Disconnected laboratory software systems often lead to inconsistent data, manual rework, delayed billing, higher denial rates, and lost revenue opportunities.
How did COVID-19 impact laboratory technology adoption?
The pandemic accelerated digital transformation, pushing organizations to invest in automation, scalability, and integrated medical laboratory solutions to manage increased testing demand and operational complexity.
What are the measurable benefits of integrated LIS and RCM systems?
Labs using integrated medical LIS & lab billing platforms often report:
- 15–35% revenue growth
- Up to 95% first-pass claim acceptance
- Reduced manual workload and operational costs
When should a laboratory upgrade to an integrated LIS software platform?
Labs should consider upgrading when facing rising denials, inefficient workflows, disconnected systems, or difficulty scaling operations.
