lab work cost

I took Vita-Lady's lab list of items we need to my primary.  I am on Medicare.  One of the nurses told me that Medicare would not pay for a lot of these test.  She said they totaled approximately $3097.  That amount does not consider what Medicare will pay.  Does anybody know anything about this?

I have supplemental insurance with UHC.  My policy does not pay what Medicare disallows.  If Medicare pays a position of the cost for a test, UHC will pay the remainder.  I know crazy, the UHC policy is given to me by my former employer because I am a retiree.  At least, it is free.

What do other people do?  

Ruby
RNY  3/11/2005
262/125/133
hi/lo/today   

this is the list of labs that I get done and Medicare pays for it all at 100%

CBC, Comprehesive Metabolic Panel, Iron, TIBC, Iron Sat %, Ferritin, B12, Folate, Vitamin D ( 25 Hydroxy), Phosporus, Calcium, PTH, Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Lipid Panel, Zinc, Magnesium, Selenium, Copper, Vitamin B1 (Whole Blood), B6, TSH T4and T3, HemA1C

Thanks for the reply.  I went ahead and had the labs Vitalady recommends.  There were 29 test on the order.  They took 15 tubes of blood.  If Medicare does not pay for it all, I will just have to pay the balance.

I am keeping your list and may use it next time.  I will let you know what I end up paying if any.  In the past Medicare has paid for all my labs, but I have not been having this many test.  It will be interesting to know what they do now.  I wonder if things have changed since the first of the year with the new healthcare programs.

Looks like our numbers are about the same.  I read your profile.  Good luck on your journey.  You have really done well.

Ruby
RNY  3/11/2005
262/125/133
hi/lo/today

   

I wish you all the best and hope that Medicare pays for them all.  I honestly don't know what is on vitalady's list that isn't on mine but for me, my list is totally comprehensive.  If you can, let me know what I am missing, so I can decide if I want to ask my doctors for them.

The most important thing to know with medicare is diagnosis codes.  It isn't necessarily red or black = do they cover it or not, it is do they cover it for your diagnosis code.  So, make sure your doctor uses the complete list of diagnosis codes that vitalady gave you.  If you need it, I can give you my list.

I have her codes, but I did not give them to the doctor.  I did not realize how important that might be so, I may have messed up.  Well, too late now.  It will be interesting to see what happens.  I will let your know.

ruby

I don't think nurses really know about insurance. My medical group has a whole freaking department to deal with insurance issues, they are so complicated!

Also, there are much cheaper places to get your labs done if you have to pay for them yourself. Next time, post ahead of time and people will refer to you to places that won't cost more than about a thousand.

Thanks for the information.  I will do that.

Ruby