When should I schedule a physical?
Will my insurance company cover the cost
of the lab tests my doctor orders?
If your insurance will not pay for a test,
does that mean you do not need it?
How will I be notified about my lab results?
Will my doctor care for me during my inpatient
stay if I am hospitalized?
Q. When should I schedule a physical?
A. A complete physical examination includes taking a
complete history or updating the history that is currently on file.
The physicians at
Riverside Medical, S.C.recommend that you
schedule an appointment for a physical when you first join our
practice, to establish yourself with one of our physicians.
Thereafter, physicals should be scheduled annually to ensure that
you are up to date on all vaccinations and screenings.
Medications cannot be refilled if more than 12 months have passed
since your last visit.
Please call the office or use the Appointment Form
to request a complete physical. The scheduler allows extra time for
physicals so the physician has the time necessary to do a thorough job.
As a result, the schedule can accommodate only a certain number of
physicals each day, and the time to the next available appointment
for a physical varies from physician to physician. To avoid having to
wait for a physical when you really need one, please schedule well in
advance.
Q. Will my insurance company cover the cost of lab tests
my doctor orders?
Q. If your insurance will not pay for a test,
does that mean you do not need it?
Q. How will I be notified about my lab results?
A. Because of the rising cost of medical care, some insurers
are changing their policies regarding payment for laboratory tests.
Simply speaking, lab tests are of two types: diagnostic tests and
screening tests.
Diagonostic tests. Your doctor orders diagnostic tests when
he/she becomes aware of signs or symptoms of a specific problem or
when monitoring the course and treatment of disease or injury. Even
if a test is ordered to monitor a disease, some insurers place a limit
on how often the company will pay for it for you. If your doctor believes
that a test must be performed more often than your insurer allows and you
choose to follow your doctor's advice, you will be responsible for paying
for the test.
Screening tests. Your doctor may order screening tests as part
of a checkup or annual exam. In general, screening tests assess the
state of your health. Examples include some types of bloodwork, such as
complete blood counts; chest x-rays; cholesterol panels; and
prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests. Again, some insurers place a limit
on the number of times the insurance company will pay for a specific test for you.
If you choose to have the test regardless of the insurer's limit, you
will have to pay for it.
A. Tests ordered for screening purposes can be an invaluable
tool for managing your health. They can confirm your general well-being
or indicate that a health problem exists -- even before symptoms appear.
Early detection of a health problem is always in your best interest for
optimal treatment.
Your doctor bases decisions about laboratory testing on a wide range of
factors, including your personal and family history, medications you
take, and generally accepted medical practices. Discuss these factors
with your doctor as you decide whether to have a test your insurer will
not pay for. If you have specific questions about which lab tests your
insurer will cover, and within what time period, contact your insurance
carrier.
If you decide to have the test, remember: Even if your doctor believes
the test is "good medicine" and will provide information useful in your
medical care, your insurance may not pay for it.
A. Riverside Medical, S.C.notifies patients about lab and screening test results through either a
postcard in the mail or a telephone call. If you
have not heard about results from a test you had performed more than
ten days prior, please phone the office and request your results.
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