Quote:
Originally Posted by golfing eagles
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.
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Specific signed informed consent for HIV testing has not been required within a health care setting even in NY for a half decade
The End of Written Informed Consent for HIV Testing: Not With a Bang but a Whimper
Informed consent is required if it is being done outside of a health care setting such as a community center.
The CDC recommends that everyone between ages 13 and 64 get tested once even if no risk factors are documented.
As the OP mentions that his parents are on Medicare this recommendation does not apply to them thus the suggestion that the test is routine seems unsupported.
I suppose, and I do not mean to suggest this applies to the particulars of this situation, that if the new doctor interviewed each person separately and one disclosed a behavior that increased the risk of HIV, the MD would be correct in ordering HIV testing on both parties and also be prohibited from disclosing the reason to the partner. The lab would also be prohibited by HIPAA from disclosing the diagnostic reason but the doctor should have used a code other than routine on the order slip.
In any case, if this medical office is routinely ordering HIV testing on Medicare age patients, they certainly have gotten feedback that the tests are not being covered and patients are getting huge bills. That alone should trigger a discussion as to whether the patient wants to have the testing done.