[elevatorman]

Is it possible that the Insurance company has an advocate that can deal with the lab. Another option may be to try Seniors Vs Crime, Special Project of the Florida Attorney General. Maybe a call to the lab from them can help.

[gregcharlesnelson@gmail]

where is a good primary doc?

[mdieffenbach]

Your first mistake was picking Premier Medical as your primary. They are crooks. I got billed for a pain consultant which consisted of the physician asking if I ever have pain. Of course I do, I'm old. It was an extra $200 and I didn't even get any pain medication. I switched to Village Health. It's like night and day.

[sjeffries]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

If the test is not covered by Medicare, then calling them or reporting it to them as fraud will be a waste of time. Also, complaining to the doctor that you did not consent to the test would also be a dead end because you probably did consent to it by signing forms in the doctor's office. I think the only way to be successful is to refuse to pay the bill. The lab may agree to negotiate a lower price, so they can avoid the collection agency fees, which are very high on a $500 bill.

If you HAVE to pay the bill, send them $5.00 a month. They have to accept it and you won’t be sued.

[tvbound]

A big thanks to the OP and all of the respondents. Information and comments like these, even they're just anecdotal, are valuable for those of us that are planning on moving there.

[mydavid]

Maybe they should look for a different provider, I have the same provider for the last 12 years and have never paid for any lab test order by my Doctor.

[woderfulwendy1]

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?

Call Crimes Against Senior's. Don't pay, ask for a breakdown of each test and if you pay, pay for the appropriate tests.

[Mike Shebel]

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.

HIV Covered by Medicare if:

Medicare Part B Covers an HIV screening one time per year, if you meet the following conditions:

•. You are age 15–65;
•. Or your younger than 15 or older than 65 and are at an increased risk for HIV;

Or if you are pregnant, you can get three screenings for HIV during your pregnancy.

Otherwise, not covered.

[wirenail444]

Great advice

[gloriahoff@comcast.net]

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.

I had a similar situation and her primary doctor did not have the right code for the order, so the Lab Corp. had to send me a bill. I took the bill 2 times to the doctor's office to get the doctor to put the right code for the tests. Try that, please.

[2mnydogs]

Great advice.

[jimbarb49@yahoo.com]

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.

I would not pay before you talked to a senior advocate or lawyer. That organization has not had the best press. I have gotten routine blood tests and never HIV. I think it is a scam. That is cash in their hands.
Has your mother contacted the insurance carrier.
I hope you find someone to get a better answer. I know I would not pay. In addition when I have gone for labs they tell me what is not covered and take my charge card.

[willbush]

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.

Anytime I go to have blood work if there is one that may not be covered they will tell me and I must sign a statement I still want the test. Does the place where they had their blood work have a copy of a document they signed? If not then they should call Medicare as someone had mentioned. Good Luck

[Sunflower33]

I would definitely call an attorney they will give you the best result.

[wiltma]

For this test to be done , they would have had to sign a form that they were informed that some testing might not be paid for by Medicare.