![\"lab-test\"](\"http:\/\/images1.blisstree.com\/files\/2009\/12\/lab-test-200x300.jpg\")
<\/p>\nMany patients with health insurance think that when they go to a laboratory their doctor sends them to for blood work or other tests, the lab is surely in-network. After all, the doctor is in-network, right? No. It’s a puzzling maze that the best of us get trapped inside at times.<\/p>\n
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I’ll give you a personal example. According to one rather crazy insurance<\/a> rule of my specific plan, I can have blood drawn at my doctor’s office and sent to Lab A that’s not in network and it will be covered 100%. However, if the doctor sends me downstairs to the same Lab A, then it’s out of network since the doctor’s office didn’t draw the blood themselves. I spent nearly an hour on the phone with my insurance this morning to figure that one out.<\/p>\n It gets even worse since most specialist offices<\/a> are sending patients out to labs (often in the same building) to get blood work. Have you noticed that only general physicians tend have in-office labs these days?<\/p>\n So, before you go to your next doctor’s appointment that may involve lab work, some tips for you:<\/p>\n Do you think that last tip is a bit too cautious? It’s not. I’ll give you a short version of my story. My health insurance plan is changing on January 1. I called my insurance in November to ask why two of my lab visits were out of network. I was told that was a mistake and that the lab I was going to was an in-network lab. I asked twice: “Are you sure? I’m going back there for another visit.”<\/p>\n I was assured that the lab I was going to was an in-network lab. Not so. I found out today that it was really out of network after all and I’d have to pay for all the visits. The person I was talking with was looking at my future coverage plan, not the current one. Of course, when I complained that I had been given the wrong info, I was reminded of the telephone disclaimer<\/strong> about benefits being paid at the time of processing, not based on the phone call.<\/p>\n I was told I’d have to appeal in writing, but I insisted on speaking to a supervisor who may or may not take care of me. I’m still waiting on that call.<\/p>\n Do you find it difficult navigate through the swamps of in-network or out-of-network services?<\/p>\n (Image via stock.xchng<\/a>)<\/p>\n Post from: Blisstree<\/a><\/p>\n\n
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