authorized. I am a self payee and so i was really surprised with the bill (it was for $450). I am 20 weeks pregnant..anyways I called the doctors office and the receptionist told me that the doctor does a drug test on every pregnant patient of his. I am just really pissed off because he did the test behind my back, I have nothing to hide and would've appreciated it if he would've just told me he was going to do it. Should I pay the bill or dispute it?
2007-07-30 08:26:08 · 10 answers · asked by Avatar111 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
It wasn't a blood test. It was a urine sample that was taken. The OB takes a urine sample at every visit and had no clue that one of the times he took the urine sample he sent it to the labs to get a drug test done on me. He usually takes the sample and does a dip strip test during the visit to make sure there is no infection.
2007-07-30 08:51:34 · update #1
Dispute it. It has no therapeutic value. And call the Board of Audit for your county (usually the County Medical Society) and advise the MD is prescribing unnecessary tests without even telling you what he's doing.
2007-07-30 08:31:44 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
You can try to dispute it, but it will just cause you more grief, and most likely won't work out in your favor. The lab is not going to eat the cost, and neither will the doctor.
The lab will come back to you and say it is also incumbent upon you, as a self-payee, to verify requested tests, etc. before getting the bloodwork drawn. They will say it is your responsibility to know and be aware of all the tests requested prior to you agreeing and physically going to get your blood drawn. When you complete that act, you take part of the responsibility upon yourself. Regardless, the drug testing is certainly something the doctor will say is medically essentially, and therefore you would have to get the test done, regardless. He'll says it's medically essential to determine treatment and process if mom is found to be positive for any drugs.
If he had told you, would you not have gotten the test done? Or is he doctor supposed to go on the word of each pregnant woman? How many addicted mothers do you think would be truthful, that the doctor should endanger the fetus as well as his own career?
2007-07-30 15:33:33 · answer #2 · answered by Queen 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You gave your physician implied consent (and possibly signed a consent document) for care when you first entered into a physician-patient relationship. It is the obligation of the patient to review with his/her physician the care plan. Your physician couldn't have gotten a blood specimen from you without consent. Did you ask what the specimen was for? If you did and your physician didn't tell you the reason then you have the ethical advantage. It is unethical to do procedures (and tests) on patients under false pretenses or without their knowledge. Generally you are considered to give consent when you submit to the blood draw unless you have asked specifically what the specimen will be tested for.
Whether you feel you have given consent or not it may still be beneficial to dispute the charges. Good luck to you.
2007-07-30 15:43:16 · answer #3 · answered by No C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dispute it, since it was not a medical necessity, but rather for the doctor. He should have already known what your current meds are and through examination can tell if you have been injecting anything. Dispute it with your doctors office as well...tell them to pay for the unauthorized test. Then, you'll probably also need to look for another doctor.
2007-07-30 15:31:19 · answer #4 · answered by auditor4u2007 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
$450 is outrageous for a blood test.
I hope it is some kind of typo. Do not pay.
Tell your doctor about this charge he may not know.
Call doctors in your area and find out if this is a normal charge.
Call your better business bureau.
Yes this may affect your credit but please do not pay people you know are stealing money from you.
This is a large enough sum to take to small claims court.
You will not only help all citizens by calling them on it they will be less inclined to try to charge outrageous amounts in the future. If they did intentionally over charge you they will have to pay you double plus your court fee.
2007-07-30 15:52:52 · answer #5 · answered by granny_sp 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would dispute the claim with your doctor's office first. Make them show you proof that you were made aware that this test was going to be done. If they cannot provide it for you, then you need to inform them that they are responsible for that portion of your lab bill.
2007-07-30 15:30:53 · answer #6 · answered by Cristalle T 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I do not think you can be forced to pay for a test you did not agree to. You could also make the argument that the doctor performing an unauthorized drug test on you is a violation of your privacy.
2007-07-30 15:30:39 · answer #7 · answered by Michael C 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'd dispute it first- since this going to come out of your pocket and you needed to be informed of this cost.
A drug test shouldn't be $450.00 though- I handle the drug testing where i work and the cost is $80.00 a person .
So I would definitely dispute a $450.00 drug test
2007-07-30 15:32:19 · answer #8 · answered by tnfarmgirl 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
As long as he didn't have you sign a waver "I give my doctor permission to perform all tests, procedures that are necessary for my benefit, " dispute it. Most times that's what you sign when you check in.
2007-07-30 15:35:50 · answer #9 · answered by I vote Capt. America 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Talk to the doctor, tell him/her how you feel. Worse that can happen is that you will have to pay the bill and your going to have to do that anyway. GOOD LUCK!
2007-07-30 15:30:30 · answer #10 · answered by tan0301 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋