If our Pathologists need a second opinion we eat the charge. If it is requested by the clinician, we request that he/she be billed. If it is the patient we bill the patient (or ask the consultant to bill the patient) All of this depends on patient status/medicare etc. I'm very interested in seeing how others respond. Jan Mahoney Omaha
-----Original Message----- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Weems, Joyce Sent: Wednesday, September 08, 2010 9:46 AM To: Demarinis, Carolyn; histo...@pathology.swmed.edu Subject: [Histonet] RE: Pathology billing for consultation It is my understanding that we cannot charge professional fees for other pathologists. Our hospital pays for the pathologists' consults if the patient's insurance will not or if the consultant does not bill third party. Joyce Weems Pathology Manager Saint Joseph's Hospital 5665 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd NE Atlanta, GA 30342 678-843-7376 - Phone 678-843-7831 - Fax -----Original Message----- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Demarinis, Carolyn Sent: Wednesday, September 08, 2010 09:22 To: histo...@pathology.swmed.edu Subject: [Histonet] Pathology billing for consultation I would like to know how other pathology labs are billing for consultations that are sent out by pathologist for second opinion. Our process is to notify the physician's office that a case is being sent to an expert and, if required, the physician's office is responsible for obtaining precertification if the patient's insurance require it. Unfortunately, this has caused us a number of problems. If the consultant is not "in-network", the insurance does not cover this expense, and the patient is responsible for the bill. Is it a better option for the hospital to receive all bills from consultants, and in turn, the hospital will bill the patient? If so, are there problems associated with this? Or are other laboratories having the consultants bill the patient's insurance directly, and if so, are they experiencing similar problems? Thanks. Carolyn DeMarinis, Pathology Supervisor Saratoga Hospital Laboratory This e-mail communication and any attachments may contain confidential and privileged information for the use of the designated recipients named above. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you have received this communication in error and that any review, disclosure, dissemination, distribution or copying of it or its contents is prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify Saratoga Hospital immediately by e-mail at priv...@saratogacare.org and destroy all copies of this communication and any attachments. _______________________________________________ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail, including any attachments is the property of Catholic Health East and is intended for the sole use of the intended recipient(s). It may contain information that is privileged and confidential. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure, or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please delete this message, and reply to the sender regarding the error in a separate email. _______________________________________________ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet Sponsored by Catholic Health Initiatives and Immanuel, Alegent Health is faithful to the healing ministry of Jesus Christ, providing high quality care for the body, mind and spirit of every person. The information contained in this communication, including attachments, is confidential and private and intended only for the use of the addressees. Unauthorized use, disclosure, distribution or copying is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. If you received this communication in error, please inform us of the erroneous delivery by return e-mail message from your computer. Additionally, although all attachments have been scanned at the source for viruses, the recipient should check any attachments for the presence of viruses before opening. Alegent Health accepts no liability for any damage caused by any virus transmitted by this e-mail. Thank you for your cooperation. _______________________________________________ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
