Is this standard? (medical testing)

[ChillyMcFreeze]

I just got a bill from the pathology lab... apparently my gynecologist ordered STD testing without my knowledge. (I assume they do that with urine?) I have never had such a thing happen before, and I've been to 4 different GYN practices over the years. Is it standard to run STD tests without the patient requesting them?

[ChillyMcFreeze]

Aug 9, 2012 14:58:12 GMT -5 @bunnybean said:

I only had that happen when I was still under my parents' insurance and it was military. Is it a new doctor? He or she may just be trying to be thorough.

Yeah, this was my first appt with this doctor. I would have appreciated the heads-up that this bill was coming my way. I was thoroughly unimpressed with her altogether, and now I'm even more sure I'll have to find yet another doctor. I've had terrible luck with gynos!

[MrsDL]

Not unless your pregnant. Is it a new doctor? Sometimes new docs will ask you, because it's not covered for routine exams. Some are tested via urine, the rest with blood or swabs (did they take blood)?

It's expensive out-of-pocket though - I dated an asshole back in the day (well I dated many assholes back in the day), but this particular asshole was a lying liar who lied and a cheating cheater who cheated. I had my doc test for everything at my annual visit - I remember it was about $400 out of pocket or something crazy like that.

[ChillyMcFreeze]

They actually didn't take blood, which I found weird since every other practice has. It was a small battery of tests, and my insurance is covering the vast majority, so my OOP is small.

[ChillyMcFreeze]

Ok, I called the billing company to contest it, and they said the insurance covered the whole thing. (Moral of the story: never send a check until you confirm that you actually owe something.) I'm still pissed that my insurance had to cover these unnecessary tests. I'm about to give this doctor bad reviews all over the interwebs and let my insurance co. know that I think she's super shady.

[Michelle]

This shouldn't be the practice. If there was no suspicion, she didn't ask you for it, didn't ask about the last time you had it, didn't ask if you were sexually active, etc., she ran an unnecessary set of tests and this kind of excessive testing is a huge part of what drives up our nationwide cost of healthcare.

[downtoearth]

That happened to me when I had initial bloodwork with my first pregnancy. I think that caregiver just didn't inform me of what they were going to test for.

I wouldn't pay for it and would call the gyn.

[msmerymac]

They've always asked me if I wanted them, first.

[ChillyMcFreeze]

Aug 9, 2012 15:52:12 GMT -5 Michelle said:

This shouldn't be the practice. If there was no suspicion, she didn't ask you for it, didn't ask about the last time you had it, didn't ask if you were sexually active, etc., she ran an unnecessary set of tests and this kind of excessive testing is a huge part of what drives up our nationwide cost of healthcare.

Exactly.

[Deleted]

There are signs all over my doctor's office and in the paperwork stating that they routinely test for STDs and if you want out, you need to say so.

Is it possible this is policy at your office and you missed it?

[GailGoldie]

funny- someone just posted something similar on my local board. Seems that some offices do it as part of the normal appt... some only do it if you ask.

[ChillyMcFreeze]

Aug 9, 2012 16:53:09 GMT -5 @habbsies said:

There are signs all over my doctor's office and in the paperwork stating that they routinely test for STDs and if you want out, you need to say so.

Is it possible this is policy at your office and you missed it?

I read through everything I signed and I don't remember seeing anything like that, but it's entirely possible when they have you sign 20 forms at a time. But I didn't see any other notices around. I wouldn't be mad if there were signs, but one blurb in a stack of forms should not cost me $50 (or $400 without ins.).

[Deleted]

Yeah, they should never test you for something without getting consent.

[justthetip]

I wouldn't be so hasty to give her bad reviews all over the place. Screening for STD's is recommended for young women & is easily done with a Pap. Some HMO's even fault doctors who don't automatically do it. She probably also tested you for HPV without you having to ask for it. I agree it would've been nice of her to give you a head's up, but your insurance covered it because it was an appropriate test. Calm yourself down a little.

[Deleted]

Yes, but its still wrong to test someone without getting consent, even if its covered. Especially for something so confidential.

And from a financial standpoint, just because its fully covered doesn't mean it won't cost you more in the long run, especially if you are in private insurance or are self employed. Every extra test can add up to higher premiums.

So although I wouldn't leave bad reviews, I would be annoyed and I would ask my doc in the future to get consent for any testing, as they should.

[basilosaurus]

The G&C screen is done from your Pap, so it doesn't take extra blood or extra samples. I've only had it done when I specifically asked for it (afaik), but I can see how it may be routine in places where insurance covers it.

[lyssbobiss, Command, B613]

I've never had STD testing without my consent (and usually by my request). As for finding a new one, can you ask around for referrals? I had a string of shitty ones until I started asking people, and one name repeatedly came up as a doc that everyone loved so I checked her out. She is amazing and I have been seeing her now for 4 years. So...referrals!

[sillygoosegirl]

This happened to me at my last pap. I found out when DH opened the bill. I was so pissed. I think my insurance eventually paid up, but I was unemployed at the time, so I didn't want to be dropping money on unnecessary tests even more than normal. And they should NOT have been sending a bill like that home without even a warning. DH is very trusting (though he did ask me why I got one), so that part wasn't a problem for me, but what about women who are married to bad men? They could have been putting my life at risk by sending that bill home for all they knew!

Needless to say, I won't be going back to that doctor.

[ChillyMcFreeze]

sillygoose, that's actually a really good point about sending info like that to women who might be in dangerous situations. This office also had questions about domestic violence and whether I felt safe with my partner. I have no idea if that factors into their mailing policy--probably not since this came from a separate billing center.

I had other concerns with this doctor, so I did give an honest review on one of the rate a doc sites. I also plan to inform my ins co. that she's doing these tests because it is driving up costs for everyone. Other patients should have access to that info.

Yep, going to start asking for referrals. Failing that, I'll just have to drive 3 hours to my original doc. I can handle that once a year.