Doc Office Visit Needed to Review Lab Results?

[Rich_by_the_Bay]

It isn't clear to me why it's necessary to pay a doctor for a prescription so that you can get your blood tested.

Is it plausible that you're paying for the knowledge and experience to know what to order, what not to order, and how to interpret it?

But I agree... if it's a trivial, routine screening test it is unseemly to me to charge just to order the test. Other stuff, not so much.

 

[TromboneAl]

It isn't clear to me why it's necessary to pay a doctor for a prescription so that you can get your blood tested.

If you keep your eye out for health fairs, you can have it done there, often for free.

 

[Rustward]

It isn't clear to me why it's necessary to pay a doctor for a prescription so that you can get your blood tested.

Not sure I understand your post. Are you saying that somebody is getting a prescription just so their blood will be tested?

 

[cantlogin]

Not sure I understand your post. Are you saying that somebody is getting a prescription just so their blood will be tested?

Yep. I can't walk into the lab and get a cholesterol test, blood glucose test or PSA unless I have a note from an MD.

 

[cantlogin]

Is it plausible that you're paying for the knowledge and experience to know what to order, what not to order, and how to interpret it?

But I agree... if it's a trivial, routine screening test it is unseemly to me to charge just to order the test. Other stuff, not so much.

I completely agree Sir.

 

[WhoDaresWins]

I hadn't had fasting blood work in a long time so my doctor ordered specific panels: basic metabolic, cardiac CRP(highly sensitive), lipid battery. She interpreted the results and noted discrepancies from the norm and made suggestions for the management of my care. Basically, since my LDL was high I am to re-do the tests in anywhere from 6 months to a year. She gave me a referral (the orders) by mail to have this done. I don't have an HMO so I don't need to see my PCP to see a specialist but to get tests I need a referral from a medical doctor specifying what type of test and a diagnosis code for billing purposes.

 

[DangerMouse]

I had my follow up appt to go over my bloodwork and have to say it was worth the money I paid. I was in there for 40 minutes as we went thru each issue. My Dr is a great believer in giving patients choices rather than just inflicting what she believes to be right. She was able to explain the consequence of each of the readings which were high or low and give me options on how to get my numbers to where they should be. All I can say is I love my new Dr. She has done more for me in 10 days than the rest of them have done in 40+ years.

 

[Notmuchlonger]

I recently went to the doc for a problem that he thinks can be remedied with antibiotics but suggested I might want to have an ultrasound, just to be safe. I'm OK with that, even though it is on my dime as I have a high deductible policy. After the ultra sound was completed, the office staff said I needed to have a second office visit to "review the results". To me this feels like more of a money generator than a necessity. If the results warrant it, surely they can just call me, and if not, what is there to discuss?

Is this standard practice or am I being squeezed?

I want to say trust your Doctor. On the other hand. Hey I am thinking what you are right now. I really really hope the doctors in this country are not into the lets do things to make money mode. Thats like killing Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny in one day for me

sorry for those who believe in Santa and the Easter Bunny

 

[John Galt III]

I think it is a money maker / time waster. My old doc, who moved away, was great. Only saw him when I wanted / needed. New doc insists I see him minimum once a year for the do-nothing $100 physical, in order to write me my script.

 

[Urchina]

We all see a family practitioner. Every year when I call to schedule my physical, the office manager sends me a blood test order. I get the blood test BEFORE my physical (usually at least a week before), so that when I show up for the physical, my bloodwork is already there and my doc has already reviewed it. Then we can discuss what (if anything) needs discussing as part of the physical.

I highly recommend this system for any of you that have doctors that will consider it.

Of course, this doesn't work if I'm having blood work to check out a specific complaint. But for general health checkups, it's fantastic to have face time with the doc when discussing results.

 

[TromboneAl]

Travelover, did you review the results, and was the visit warranted?

 

[travelover]

Travelover, did you review the results, and was the visit warranted?

Scheduled for next week. I may go in as I have some other questions.

 

[Rich_by_the_Bay]

We all see a family practitioner. Every year when I call to schedule my physical, the office manager sends me a blood test order. I get the blood test BEFORE my physical (usually at least a week before), so that when I show up for the physical, my bloodwork is already there and my doc has already reviewed it. Then we can discuss what (if anything) needs discussing as part of the physical.

I highly recommend this system for any of you that have doctors that will consider it.

Of course, this doesn't work if I'm having blood work to check out a specific complaint. But for general health checkups, it's fantastic to have face time with the doc when discussing results.

That's common practice and usually works out fine. But I find that I often fine-tune what tests I want to order only after I see the patient. Maybe I want to add a thyroid test for a specific symptom. Or maybe I learn that the patient just had a life insurance exam and I can just send for the blood test report. It's surprising how many things "come up."

But odds are that the usual "screening panel" done in advance will suit most patients for a simple physical. Worst case is an extra needle stick.

 

[freebird5825]

That's common practice and usually works out fine. But I find that I often fine-tune what tests I want to order only after I see the patient. Maybe I want to add a thyroid test for a specific symptom. Or maybe I learn that the patient just had a life insurance exam and I can just send for the blood test report. It's surprising how many things "come up."

But odds are that the usual "screening panel" done in advance will suit most patients for a simple physical. Worst case is an extra needle stick.

This is how my doctors (husband/wife team) operate. I see one or the other as they are available.

I have good reason to pay attention to what they determine is necessary. I have no idea what the paternal family's medical history is, so they tend to order a fair amount of non-invasive tests for me. I don't look forward to these tests, but they don't hurt and take very little time.

I prefer to cooperate with the proactive screening and testing approach. I've experienced one too many cases of late detection with unhappy endings.

 

[Notmuchlonger]

We have full coverage at the moment. Really appreciate it too.

Got a bill today. For whatever reason telling us we would need to pay 20 dollars out of 573.

I went in for a physical. Dr did some kind of check I wont share here labeled as surgery.

This was in 45 minutes. Id guess 10 or 15 of that was waiting.

Holy ****.

 

[target2019]

One hour from entrance to exit. Maybe ten minutes with the doc to review recent bloodwork. As she was not my regular doc, took time for me to explain history to her. Not too frustrating, cost me $15, and I have my scripts. Next up is the urologist, and I hope the PSA is holding steady, or lower.