Re: Uncovered HPV screening
From: Garry E. Siegel, M.D. (garrys@mindspring.com)
Fri Nov 17 15:42:51 2006
Whether it is a bit more discussion, or more calls the staff has to
make, or more forms to read and sign. . .
MORE is the operative word here.
I guess that I'm bitching a bit here, as HPV screening is mainstream
now, but every little thing MORE we add takes up time (staff, MD, etc.)
yet does not increase reimbursement.
Garry
At Fri, 17 Nov 2006, Jamie wrote:
>
>Could the office billing person have patients check with their insurance
>company about which lab (if any) is covered? When I have any tests run,
>I start there and then request that if possible the covered lab be used.
>I got burned once before I figured that out. That conversation would
>also make clear that the lab bill is separate from the physician bill
>(which patients don't always realize) and that it might or might not be
>covered.
>
>At Fri, 17 Nov 2006, Joanne Bulley, MD wrote:
>>
>>Ihave the pamphlet from Digene about the HPV screen that is really good
>>on the reasons.
>>
>>So far the insurance Cos aroudn here seem to cover it - but for all
>>those with deductibles - the patient gets to pay for it.
>>
>>Partly I tell them the ultimate cost is less -- it may be higher this
>>year but if both are negative then then don't have to pay for one for
>>the next 2 years.
>>
>>I have a pretty quick explanation I give the patients that summarizes
>>the 25 years of corvix and HPV research and that I get the HRHPV on the
>>>/0 yo's and their daughters all need th vaccine.
>>
>>I give the info that 80% of all women have had an HPV infection by age
>>50 and so all should be screened to see who has residual latent HPV and
>>who has cleared it.
>>
>>It doesn't take very long once you have the spiel down and I have had
>>only one complain.
>>
>>I do tell them all that if she is + then it has been there a long time
>>and no reason for either she or her partner to start blaming infiedlity!
>>Have to cut taht one off before the test comes back.
>>
>>Joanne
>>
>>At Fri, 17 Nov 2006, Hugo D Ribot Jr wrote:
>>>
>>>Dear Listers,
>>>
>>>How are you dealing with irate patients who get an unexpected (and
>>>sometimes not so small) bill from Labcorp or Quest Labs for routine HPV
>>>screening done, for example, with a routine annual Pap at 30 years old
>>>and up?
>>>
>>>There appears to be no consistent coverage among different insurers. The
>>>maddening thing is that this creates MORE WORK and time wasted for my
>>>already stretched staff to have to ask everyone before filling out the
>>>Pap requisition, especially when patients then ask what HPV is, why do
>>>they screen for it, etc. etc.
>>>
>>>--
>>>Hugo D. Ribot Jr., M.D., FACOG
>>>Cartersville, Georgia
>>>Private practice since 1990
>>>3 MDs/3 CNMs
>>>
>>--
>>Joanne Bulley, MD
>>Keene, NH, USA
>>
>--
>JFields, RN, BSN
>
--
Garry E. Siegel, M.D.
Private Practice
Roswell, GA
