February 10, 2003

Physicians of Kansas City Metro area

Dear Colleague,

The RLA is an alliance of hospital-based and regional laboratories that have joined in conjunction with Mayo Medical Laboratories (MML) to provide office-based laboratory services to physicians in the Kansas City region. Currently the RLA provides laboratory services to over 2000 physicians. Physician satisfaction with the RLA services is high and will remain high with uninterrupted access.

It has recently come to our attention that there are many rumors and false information being disseminated about which laboratories can and cannot provide laboratory services for your patients in Kansas City. The RLA laboratories continue to be the best choice for you and your patients. We can and do service

Ø all PPO plans including Coventry PPOs

Ø all Medicaid patients

Ø all Medicare patients

Ø all our own hospital and health centers employees

Ø self-funded HMOs.

If you have any questions about a specific Managed Care Contract please contact your RLA laboratory. With 23 convenient locations in the KC Metro area we are the laboratories of choice for your patients.

The RLA members provide high quality laboratory services built around patient-focused care, cost-effective delivery of services and integration of health care components. Laboratory services are provided based on the operational and clinical needs of the local medical community and within the context of the health care delivery system. The distinction of our services from our commercial competitors is in increased convenience and access at numerous patient service centers, local integration of patient care including collaboration with network physicians, and coordination of information streamlining administrative and clinical decision-making processes.

The RLA pathologists are readily available to interact with the clinician. They interpret utilization data and build strategies for improving outcomes and quality of care. Carve-out contracts interrupt the continuity of care for clinicians and patients by disrupting the coordination of information and removing opportunities for insightful interpretation and expert guidance. Health care payment strategies that include access to locally based laboratory services for all sites of care support, rather than dismantle, processes needed to develop best practices and achieve better patient outcomes.

Thank you for your loyalty and support. We will continue to provide you with the best integrated laboratory services in the region..

Carla Brewer MT (ASCP) MBA

General Manager, Regional Laboratory Alliance