Spiky Bugger
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2014
- Messages
- 6,201
My PCP is quite good about ordering my labs, and it was my annual Wellness Exam.
She, my PCP, ordered a total of 14 tests.
My hematologist, who is NOT with the same group, ordered four tests. All of his were included on her order, except that her CMP 14 added eGFR and his did not.
I see him re my iron numbers later this week.
I say, “Can we just do this off her order and cc him?”
Lab says, “No problem.”
They hand me the warning that it might cost me $660+. I have really good insurance and nothing at the lab ever costs me $660. It never even costs me $6.60.
Hmmm.
I ask WHICH labs won’t be covered.
They tell me that the Ferritin, Iron and TIBC and something else...magnesium maybe(?)...weren’t covered.
So, because this ain’t my first rodeo, I checked. She included the TESTS I needed, but probably because she doesn’t treat me for those conditions, she did not include the Diagnosis Codes for osteoporosis and anemia. It would cost me $660+.
My PCP wasn’t in today to okay the addition by phone. Options?
1–Get it all done today and pay $660.
2–Reschedule the hematology appt, until I can get the PCP to add those codes to her order.
3–Do a two part thing today...two separate draws and then fight with insurance about why they have to pay twice for venipuncture and, maybe, two quite similar CMP tests...although I could decline that one test.
4–Do the hematologist’s tests today (I need these results ASAP.) Come back later for the remaining testing.
I opted for #4.
But, be careful with diagnosis codes!
A missing number could cost you HUNDREDS of dollars.
On more than one occasion, in the past, I’ve had lazy staff people write the code for “Routine” testing and tests would have cost me a bunch.
She, my PCP, ordered a total of 14 tests.
My hematologist, who is NOT with the same group, ordered four tests. All of his were included on her order, except that her CMP 14 added eGFR and his did not.
I see him re my iron numbers later this week.
I say, “Can we just do this off her order and cc him?”
Lab says, “No problem.”
They hand me the warning that it might cost me $660+. I have really good insurance and nothing at the lab ever costs me $660. It never even costs me $6.60.
Hmmm.
I ask WHICH labs won’t be covered.
They tell me that the Ferritin, Iron and TIBC and something else...magnesium maybe(?)...weren’t covered.
So, because this ain’t my first rodeo, I checked. She included the TESTS I needed, but probably because she doesn’t treat me for those conditions, she did not include the Diagnosis Codes for osteoporosis and anemia. It would cost me $660+.
My PCP wasn’t in today to okay the addition by phone. Options?
1–Get it all done today and pay $660.
2–Reschedule the hematology appt, until I can get the PCP to add those codes to her order.
3–Do a two part thing today...two separate draws and then fight with insurance about why they have to pay twice for venipuncture and, maybe, two quite similar CMP tests...although I could decline that one test.
4–Do the hematologist’s tests today (I need these results ASAP.) Come back later for the remaining testing.
I opted for #4.
But, be careful with diagnosis codes!
A missing number could cost you HUNDREDS of dollars.
On more than one occasion, in the past, I’ve had lazy staff people write the code for “Routine” testing and tests would have cost me a bunch.
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