One way to think about it, would be that if a pathologist accepts a case, it is understood that he or she has the expertise to diagnose it, and with a diagnoses comes a bill. But, if unable to diagnose, or confidently diagnose, and a consult is needed, then the pathologist that can make the diagnosis gets paid, and the lab that did the preliminary work gets part of that pay. Would a mechanic charge you full price for fixing your engine, if he couldn't fix it and sent it to another mechanic to fix? Perhaps fee schedules should be set up so that a certain percentage goes to consultation ( because it's going to happen) and the patient doesn't get extra billing.Just an opinion. Tom Truscott
-----Original Message----- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Tench, Bill Sent: Wednesday, September 08, 2010 9:48 AM To: histo...@pathology.swmed.edu Subject: [Histonet] billing consults we ask the consultant to bill the patient's insurance. If they don't do that, they bill the hospital and the hospital passes the charges on to the patient. we do not make any distinction based on where the request for the consultation came from (us, the patient, the treating clinician). The patient is the beneficiary of the service. On the very rare case when it clearly is an issue of intellectual curiosity (i can think of only 3 examples), the practice will pay the charge. Bill Tench Associate Dir. Laboratory Services Chief, Cytology Services Palomar Medical Center 555 E. Valley Parkway Escondido, California 92025 bill.te...@pph.org Voice: 760- 739-3037 Fax: 760-739-2604 [None] made the following annotations --------------------------------------------------------------------- Confidential E-Mail: This e-mail is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed, and may contain information that is privileged, confidential, or otherwise protected from disclosure. Dissemination, distribution, or copying of this e-mail or the information herein by anyone other than the intended recipient is prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender by reply e-mail, and destroy the original message and all copies. --------------------------------------------------------------------- _______________________________________________ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet _______________________________________________ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
