Quote:
Originally Posted by RARO1
Im writing this on behalf of my mother and father in law, they moved down to TV recently, they decided to go get a new primary DR, they went to Premier medical associates in Ocala.
Premier recommended running routine blood test on both of them. A few weeks later they receive a letter from the lab saying they owe over $500 each for HIV tests, which neither Medicare or their AARP insurance will cover.
Mother in law has disputed the bill with both the lab and Premier but they claim a HIV test is “routine” and that they don’t need to disclose it during the appointment.
I find this ridiculous, why would a couple of 70 year olds with absolutely no history of exposure to HIV need a test?
Mother in law is at the end of her rope and is planing on paying the bill, but I suggested I ask on here to see if anyone has any suggestions.
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This is one of the most ridiculous stories I've heard.
First of all, an HIV test is not "routine" at all
Second, they do not cost $500, in fact they're free if you donate blood
Third, unless Florida is different than NY or the law changed in the 5 years since I retired, you need a specific signed consent to draw blood for an HIV test, the sample is coded and only the physician can unlock the code.
Fourth, at least ethically if not legally the physician needs to disclose EVERYTHING he is doing for the patient.
I would suggest they find a new physician
I would not pay the bill, especially since the lab is charging them some sort of cash rate rather than the insurance rate
And if you really want to "screw" that medical office, you will see that at the bottom of every Medicare EOB the is an 800 number for reporting suspected fraud, the local TV stations love a story like this as well.