Quote:
Originally Posted by blueash
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. |
If they did disclose a risk behavior to the DR then as per Medicare’s policy they should have covered it, they will cover 1 test a year for people 16-65, and for people over 65 if they are at an increase risk for hiv.