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Post by cindosha on Jun 21, 2016 14:28:15 GMT
Before our doctors left the medical practice we have been going to for years, when it was time for my yearly physical, I would get a packet in the mail about 3 weeks beforehand with a lab slip for bloodwork and a request form for a mammogram. this was to be done BEFORE we went in for the appointment for the physical.
I called our doctor this morning because my dh has his physical scheduled for early july and we have not received anything from them for lab work. When I called they told me that the doctor will see dh for the physical and give him the slip for labs at that time. When I told the office girl that it would be more efficient to have the labs ahead of time so the dr. can go over them at his visit and now he will have to come back in to see the doctor to go over the labs with him, that would result in another office visit and copay, she told me that is the way the doctor is doing it now and it may change down the road, but for now that is how the office procedures work.
another money grab, or is this something that happens all of the time? it annoys me that we will have to pay two copays now....
how does your doctors office handle this? I'm curious...
Cindy
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Post by bianca42 on Jun 21, 2016 14:34:44 GMT
Physical and then bloodwork, mamogram, etc. However, there is no second appointment to discuss the results. It's a phone call. I suppose it could be a second appointment to discuss the results if they were a big deal and need to change a course of treatment that I'm on. However, my understanding is that even if I did that ahead of time, the physical is a zero copay but once we start discussing results and treatments with a diagnosis code, then I'm subject to a copay anyways.
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Post by Basket1lady on Jun 21, 2016 14:38:26 GMT
It's how our doctors do it and it drives me batty. Even an appt for a UTI is treated this way. We all know I'll need a UA. Let's just get it done.
We have Tricare and use the clinic on base, but the doctors are civilians. So it could be for more money. But appointments are hard to get and I often have an hour wait before I even get into the exam room. For a UTI, I then have to wait another 45-60 minutes for the results, then wait for the doctor to see me again. So a UTI appt can take up to 3 hours, and I haven't even gotten my prescription yet.
Fir routine labs, I call into the nurse line and have them call me with the results. I spent over 2 hours there yesterday, just picking up a prescription. I don't have that kind of time on a regular basis.
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Post by scraphollie27 on Jun 21, 2016 14:40:04 GMT
I always get the requisitions for labs after my appointment. If there is an issue with the lab results, I get a phone call or asked to make another appointment depending on the results. No issues, no phone call. I prefer it this way because there may be something my doctor and I discuss at my annual that triggers the need for additional tests.
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smartypants71
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,709
Location: Houston, TX
Jun 25, 2014 22:47:49 GMT
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Post by smartypants71 on Jun 21, 2016 14:52:53 GMT
As part of my benefits, I go to one of those "executive physical concierge" type places. All the lab work is done in the facility at the time of the visit. Once the results are back, I am sent a narrative of my visit + a phone call from the doctor to review.
No co-pay for any of it.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 14, 2024 18:46:12 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 21, 2016 14:55:49 GMT
This is how our doctors do it, but there isn't a second visit to go over labs. They call if there is an issue, but also all results are posted online so I can see the numbers there if I want to.
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Post by aljack on Jun 21, 2016 15:06:49 GMT
My doctor has me come in and then she orders blood work and a mammogram for me if I want. Once I have the tests done, her nurse telephones if results require follow-up or sends a letter if all clear. I understand your frustration with the new policy but it seems many physicians are on a tight schedule and no longer can spend 30 minutes on the physical and test results. My doctor said she gets 15-20 minutes for my physical. 10 minutes for other visits, which is maddening if you are sick and need care beyond a cold or flu diagnosis. She said it's the insurance system. I have shopped around for other doctors but I always returned to mine because she is efficient and served me well. Smartypants physical sounds amazing! An actual call from the doctor for follow up is fab!
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Post by Meri-Lyn on Jun 21, 2016 15:09:22 GMT
I get the prescription forms when I go. The mammo results are mailed to me, and if there's an issue with the blood work, they will call. I don't think I've ever had it the other way.
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Post by Citygirl on Jun 21, 2016 15:18:54 GMT
Never had blood work done before the exam, and have never had a second appointment to go over results. If the tests are normal they send a letter with results or I can see them online. If they are worrisome then the doctor would call.
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christinec68
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,129
Location: New York, NY
Jun 26, 2014 18:02:19 GMT
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Post by christinec68 on Jun 21, 2016 15:26:11 GMT
My blood is drawn at the doctor's office and they call me a couple of days later with the results, it's not a second appointment. I get the Rx for the mammogram at the appointment for the physical.
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Post by mikklynn on Jun 21, 2016 15:29:10 GMT
I am like you were, I make two appointments. One for my labs a week prior to my physical and one for my physical. That way we know the results and discuss them in person. It seems the most practical way to do it, to me.
I make my own mammogram appointment. They mail me a letter when it's about time.
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Post by petenthusiast on Jun 21, 2016 15:34:27 GMT
While it SEEMS "more efficient" to do labwork ahead of time, the fact is, you need to have your actual physical, discuss concerns, & then he/she needs to decide what labwork NEEDS to be ordered this particular year after doing so. Our dr always calls and/or sends copies of results with notes. One particluar lab panel may work during given times in your life, and depending of what is learned from your visit, may give the dr an indicator he needs to check for something not on the "usual" panels.
The only reason for a "2nd appt" would be something turning up quite unusual on the results, which would be a new condition and warrant a non "general physical" office visit.
ETA: We bring urine sample to app't and much is gleaned from that as well.
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Post by librarylady on Jun 21, 2016 15:42:08 GMT
My husband's kidney dr. and diabetes dr. handle things with "go the week before and have the lab work done."
All of our other doctors do it with the lab work when we visit and the results come later.
I really like having it done first, but I can't control how the physician operates his business.
We were told that too many patients complained about making 2 trips to get things covered (one for lab and one for physician).
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Post by craftsbycarolyn on Jun 21, 2016 15:51:17 GMT
That is how it is done at my doc office. At the appointment we get the orders for labs and mammo. Within 3 days the office calls and lets you know the results. I suppose if something was wrong they would want to make another appointment to see the doc.
It's always been this way at my doctor's office.
ETA: They do bloodwork in the same building as my doctor's office, so I always try to fast before my doctor's appointment so I can do my blood work the same day. My mammo is in the same building also. but it depends if they are doing them the same day as my visit. Most times I do have to go back again for the mammo.
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Post by anonrefugee on Jun 21, 2016 16:11:35 GMT
If we haven't seen the doctor before they want to have appointment, then order labs and other work. Oldest DS is moving to my DHs Doctor for his first "adult" physical.
The same Doctor orders labs for DH two weeks before DH's physical, as does my doc in the same practice. We both take daily meds for different conditions. Whenever schedule has prevented labs in advance my doctor has handle follow up by phone, except when I had a problem.
It seems logical to me a new doctor would wait to examine you first. We assume DS won't require a follow-up visit after lab work, but if he did it's because of something special and unexpected.
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Post by katlady on Jun 21, 2016 16:28:42 GMT
I get my blood work done about a week before my appointment. The doctor's office sends me the paperwork when I make my appointment. Once when the results had not arrived by my appt. date the office called me later with my results.
My mammogram (and gyno exam) is handled by a different office. I just make my appointment directly with them. The results are sent to me and my primary care doctor.
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Post by Darcy Collins on Jun 21, 2016 16:30:11 GMT
I've definitely had a doctor decide on different labs based on the visit, so I don't see this as a money grab at all. Actually assuming what labs are necessary without seeing the patient seems a bit sketchy to me. I've always had the visit, discuss issues and then the doctor orders labs as necessary. If there's an issue with the lab results, the doctor calls, otherwise I receive a copy in the mail.
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Post by MichyM on Jun 21, 2016 16:42:50 GMT
At my physicians office it's always been see the dr, then go have labs. The result of the blood draws, with explanation, are sent to me via their online notification system. Mammograms are done at a breast center and are completely separate from my annual physical, though the results are sent to my GP.
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Post by bc2ca on Jun 21, 2016 16:48:40 GMT
We get the lab paperwork at the physical appt with a phone call follow up giving us the results and schedule another appointment if needed. Mammogram reminder comes from the clinic and I make an appointment with them directly with them.
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Kerri W
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,768
Location: Kentucky
Jun 25, 2014 20:31:44 GMT
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Post by Kerri W on Jun 21, 2016 17:01:13 GMT
Several doctors from family physicians, to pediatricians, to specialists in several states and I have only ever had them order labs/tests after the visit. I would not care for the order prior to the visit. I agree with Darcy Collins...how do they know *what* labs to order other than the very most basic panel?
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Post by Jamie on Jun 21, 2016 17:04:23 GMT
We have the physical and any blood work done and then we get an email to log onto our online portal to view the results. If anything needs to be addressed we are asked to set up another appointment
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Post by peasapie on Jun 21, 2016 17:26:18 GMT
Getting the blood work first would make a lot of sense. I've never been to a doctor who does that, though. The one problem I can think of is that when you go, you might mention that you are feeling tired, or achey, or whatever - and the doctor might want to order specific blood tests for things like lyme disease or thyroid or anything out of the ordinary. In that case, you would then have to get more blood drawn. Maybe that's why they don't do it.
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Post by katlady on Jun 21, 2016 17:34:06 GMT
Several doctors from family physicians, to pediatricians, to specialists in several states and I have only ever had them order labs/tests after the visit. I would not care for the order prior to the visit. I agree with Darcy Collins...how do they know *what* labs to order other than the very most basic panel? I guess for me, I go to my annual exam to make sure nothing has changed. So the blood work requests is based on my age, prior history, and family history. I like hearing in person that my results look good or have improved! If I thought I was having some new issue I wouldn't wait till my annual exam to see my doctor.
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Post by freecharlie on Jun 21, 2016 17:41:53 GMT
We have the physical and any blood work done and then we get an email to log onto our online portal to view the results. If anything needs to be addressed we are asked to set up another appointment with our pcp it is after. With our specialist (I have thyroid issues) I get bloodwork every 6 weeks or so and always do it before the appointment. Buy we are looking for changes
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Post by giatocj on Jun 21, 2016 17:45:29 GMT
We have no co-pay for our annual physical with our insurance. We get our labs done the day of the physical, and then the doctor calls and goes over them on the phone, no second office visit neede, and no co-pay.
My mammogram is scheduled year to year through the Wellness Center, not my doctor's office.
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valincal
Drama Llama
Southern Alberta
Posts: 5,635
Jun 27, 2014 2:21:22 GMT
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Post by valincal on Jun 21, 2016 17:46:10 GMT
I always get the requisitions for labs after my appointment. If there is an issue with the lab results, I get a phone call or asked to make another appointment depending on the results. No issues, no phone call. I prefer it this way because there may be something my doctor and I discuss at my annual that triggers the need for additional tests. Yes, this.
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Post by Zee on Jun 21, 2016 18:05:08 GMT
We go to the doctor, he gives the exam, he decides what testing to do based partly on the exam. If they don't see you first, they may miss some further testing that should be done.
But we never have to schedule a second appointment to get the results. They're in the patient portal to be reviewed by us if all is good, and if something is abnormal, the nurse or doctor calls to discuss what may be needed next.
That's also how the doctor I work for does it.
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Post by pierkiss on Jun 21, 2016 19:05:59 GMT
All my labs are done after the physical and meeting with my doctor. If all is well I get a phone call or letter stating as such. I have no idea what happens if something bad pops up in labs, but I suspect it's a phone call with a request to come back in.
I honestly have never heard of the other way you described. It sounds great, but I don't think its a common practice.
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cakediva
Drama Llama
Making the world a sweeter place one cake at a time!
Posts: 7,437
Location: Fergus, Ontario
Jun 26, 2014 11:53:40 GMT
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Post by cakediva on Jun 21, 2016 22:13:08 GMT
I'm in Ontario, so no co-pay at all.
But I call to schedule my physical (every other year) and if I need blood work or anything else done, the doctor writes it up at the appointment.
I go when I can for those things, and if there are any issues when the results come in, the doctor will call me. No call? All is well.
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Post by jeremysgirl on Jun 21, 2016 22:24:31 GMT
I have regular yearly bloodwork done that she sends in to the lab ahead of time. Mammogram after appointment.
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