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Author Topic: Lab Costs  (Read 5786 times)

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Offline ACinKC

  • Member
  • Posts: 2,994
  • Bring it VIRUS! #2 Ranked In-crowd Member!
Lab Costs
« on: January 09, 2007, 03:38:42 pm »
I goto my ID dr and get my labs done and they cost me $200 bucks or so to get them done.... is this right? 
LIFE is not a race to the grave with the intention of arriving safely
in a pretty and well-preserved body, but, rather to skid in broadside,
thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming--WOW! WHAT A
RIDE!!!

Offline pozguy75

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,239
    • POZitively Speaking
Re: Lab Costs
« Reply #1 on: January 09, 2007, 03:47:52 pm »
All depends on what your insurance coverage is...you need to look at what your coverage entails for specialists...it could be very different from what your PCP will cover...
Dx 2005
ATRIPLA

Offline ACinKC

  • Member
  • Posts: 2,994
  • Bring it VIRUS! #2 Ranked In-crowd Member!
Re: Lab Costs
« Reply #2 on: January 09, 2007, 03:48:57 pm »
Yeah true.  Guess I need to ask Mom and Dad why they are so cheap with my insurance!!
LIFE is not a race to the grave with the intention of arriving safely
in a pretty and well-preserved body, but, rather to skid in broadside,
thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming--WOW! WHAT A
RIDE!!!

Offline Strayboy74

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,054
  • tastes like chicken
Re: Lab Costs
« Reply #3 on: January 09, 2007, 04:06:21 pm »
Yeah true.  Guess I need to ask Mom and Dad why they are so cheap with my insurance!!

You might want to look into getting a flexible spending account, so that it won't hit you so hard.  especially if you get labs done every three months - $800

Offline Tucsonwoody

  • Member
  • Posts: 396
Re: Lab Costs
« Reply #4 on: January 09, 2007, 04:25:44 pm »
Another example of the insurance puzzle - right now I go for a blood draw at least once a week and I don't pay anything at all, it all goes to my insurance (which I am sure they love).  And my ID doctor is also my primary care doctor so I only pay the PC co-pay not the specialist co-pay when I see her.  And if I see the therapist, nutritionist or pharmacist, I don't pay anything.

And my policy isn't all that great as I am paying for it myself - so I didn't even realize you had to pay for labs till I read this thread.
And I wished for guidance, and I wished for peace
I could see the lightning; somewhere in the east
And I wished for affection, and I wished for calm
As I lay there - Nervous in the light of dawn

Offline Longislander

  • Member
  • Posts: 2,489
Re: Lab Costs
« Reply #5 on: January 09, 2007, 05:18:26 pm »
when I didn't have my ins card, the bill for full labs was $257.64
infected 10/05 diagnosed 12-05
2/06   379/57000                    6/07 372/30500 25%   4/09 640/U/32% 
5/06   ?? /37000                     8/07 491/55000/24%    9/09 913/U/39%
8/06   349/9500 25%              11/07 515/68000/24     2/10 845/U/38%
9/06   507/16,000 30% !          2/08  516/116k/22%    7/10 906/80/39%
12/06 398/29000 26%             Start Atripla 3/08
3/07   402/80,000 29%            4/08  485/undet!/27
4/07   507/35,000 25%            7/08 625/UD/34%
                                                 11/08 684/U/36%

Offline RapidRod

  • Member
  • Posts: 15,288
Re: Lab Costs
« Reply #6 on: January 09, 2007, 06:16:50 pm »
Mine run over 580 dollars for lab work. Then I have more tests ran than the average Joe, cause I'm special.  ;D

Offline Strayboy74

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,054
  • tastes like chicken
Re: Lab Costs
« Reply #7 on: January 09, 2007, 06:32:10 pm »
I have more tests ran than the average Joe, cause I'm special.  ;D

I resent that.

-joseph
(joe)

Offline koi1

  • Member
  • Posts: 713
Re: Lab Costs
« Reply #8 on: January 09, 2007, 07:44:18 pm »
I am with Kaiser, and so far have not had to pay for any of my labs. That included an MRI a CTscan, a spinal tap, x-rays, an ultrasound, and countless labs for blood feces urine and spit. Kaiser can be a great HMO if you advocate for yourself and insist ont he best care.

rob
diagnosed on 11/20/06 viral load 23,000  cd4 97    8%
01/04/07 six weeks after diagnosis vl 53,000 cd4 cd4 70    6%
Began sustiva truvada 01/04/07
newest labs  drawn on 01/15/07  vl 1,100    cd4 119    7%
Drawn 02/10/07
cd4=160 viral load= 131 percentage= 8%
New labs 3/10/07 (two months on sustiva truvada
cd4 count 292  percentage 14 viral load undetectable

Offline Coffeechick88

  • Member
  • Posts: 431
Re: Lab Costs
« Reply #9 on: January 09, 2007, 08:17:49 pm »
It all depends on insurance and the lab.  For example, do you have a deductable you have to meet before you get a certain percentage paid after that?  Does the insurance have rules about what labs you can go to?  Also, the way the lab charge--I notice a difference in charges between different hospitals--one did the labs on-site and the other sent them to a reference lab.  The one that did the labs on-site was much more expensive.  I suspect this is because they don't have to pass on discounts like reference labs do.  Our lab has Labcorp as one of the reference labs and they give the lab a 75% discount.  The formula for what our lab then charges the patient--I guess for drawing their blood and such is (1.5 x cost of lab test) + 15.  Even with that formula, it was still only about half of what the other lab charged.  My insurance also paid for 100% of that. 

My insurance has multiple personalities.  I went to a facility, they paid for 80% after the deductable(network benefit-premium benefit they would have paid 100%), then for the 3 month labs after that, they denied the whole thing since I didn't use an approved facility.  When I asked them what the deal was, they basically said, "Ooops we shouldn't have paid for the first labs, but there is nothing we can do now."  I think they saw that I would be running up a very large bill, so they decided to use an obscure clause that says if they want to, they can refuse payment even if you are in network, but aren't using one of their facilities.  so that bill was $800.00.  Then the hospital refused to honor the repricing agreement (the money they pay the hospital out of what they charge) they had with the insurance company, so I was stuck with the whole 800 dollar bill.  Assholes.  I am paying them in small amounts, though.  So some places you have to watch what lab you go to.

A flexible spending account can be a good option, but the bad thing is, if you don't use it, you lose it--an unused balance doesn't roll over to the next year, so that can screw you over.
« Last Edit: January 09, 2007, 08:21:00 pm by Coffeechick88 »
Lucas James is here
Born 6-14-08 at 1233 am
8 lbs 14 oz, 22 in long

Offline J.R.E.

  • Member
  • Posts: 8,207
  • Positive since 1985, joined forums 12/03
Re: Lab Costs
« Reply #10 on: January 09, 2007, 08:25:36 pm »


Under my old Cigna Plan, there was no additional charge for the labs. I believe the company nogotiated for the same thing with the new Aetna plan that became effective on Jan1,07. I will have to check to verify that.

I will find out soon enough, go in for blood work this Thursday.


Ray
Current Meds ; Viramune / Epzicom Eliquis, Diltiazem. Pravastatin 80mg, Ezetimibe. UPDATED 2/18/24
 Tested positive in 1985,.. In October of 2003, My t-cell count was 16, Viral load was over 500,000, Percentage at that time was 5%. I started on  HAART on October 24th, 2003.

 As of Oct 2nd, 2023, Viral load Undetectable.
CD 4 @676 /  CD4 % @ 18 %
Lymphocytes,absolute-3815 (within range)


72 YEARS YOUNG

Offline David_CA

  • Member
  • Posts: 3,246
  • Joined: March 2006
Re: Lab Costs
« Reply #11 on: January 09, 2007, 10:09:10 pm »
The State Employees's insurance (state of NC) offered a PPO this year.  It's free as was my standard insurance last year.  The primary reason I switched to it is that ALL my labs are free, as are x-rays (had a bunch of 'em when I was sick).  The State's negotiated price for labs is anywhere from 30-75% less than the 'retail' price of the labs.  I'd say it depends on if you have a PPO / HMO or standard med. insurance and how good it is.  A flexible spending account can really help to with copays.

David
Black Friday 03-03-2006
03-23-06 CD4 359 @27.4% VL 75,938
06-01-06 CD4 462 @24.3% VL > 100,000
08-15-06 CD4 388 @22.8% VL >  "
10-21-06 CD4 285 @21.9% VL >  "
  Atripla started 12-01-2006
01-08-07 CD4 429 @26.8% VL 1872!
05-08-07 CD4 478 @28.1% VL 740
08-03-07 CD4 509 @31.8% VL 370
11-06-07 CD4 570 @30.0% VL 140
02-21-08 CD4 648 @32.4% VL 600
05-19-08 CD4 695 @33.1% VL < 48 undetectable!
08-21-08 CD4 725 @34.5%
11-11-08 CD4 672 @39.5%
02-11-09 CD4 773 @36.8%
05-11-09 CD4 615 @36.2%
08-19-09 CD4 770 @38.5%
11-19-09 CD4 944 @33.7%
02-17-10 CD4 678 @39.9%  
06-03-10 CD4 768 @34.9%
09-21-10 CD4 685 @40.3%
01-10-11 CD4 908 @36.3%
05-23-11 CD4 846 @36.8% VL 80
02-13-12 CD4 911 @41.4% VL<20
You must be the change you want to see in the world.  Mahatma Gandhi

Offline texasguy

  • Member
  • Posts: 77
Re: Lab Costs
« Reply #12 on: January 09, 2007, 10:24:27 pm »
United Health Care beginning January 1st has contracted LabCorp for ten years to be their sole lab for their network.  My doc switched from LabCorp to another lab last year.  So I'm not sure what's going to happen now.   :(
8/12/2008    102        402      26.8
                    VL         CD4     CD4%
7/11/2008   Started Atripla and Lisinopril for high blood pressure
6/8     654000(?) 347     20.4
5/08   42100       287      20.5
11/07 52930       438     27.3
5/07   48800       356     22.2
2/07   89000       316     23.2
7/06   51700       459     25.3
2/06   346000     386     20.3
           VL          CD4     CD4%
Poz Antibody Test January 2006
Seroconversion December 2005
Exposure November 2005

Offline David_CA

  • Member
  • Posts: 3,246
  • Joined: March 2006
Re: Lab Costs
« Reply #13 on: January 09, 2007, 10:29:08 pm »
United Health Care beginning January 1st has contracted LabCorp for ten years to be their sole lab for their network.  My doc switched from LabCorp to another lab last year.  So I'm not sure what's going to happen now.   :(


My PPO uses LabCorp to for its labs (no charge to me), so I'm not complaining.  For some reason, I don't really care for LabCorp, but they actually seem to be ok.

David
Black Friday 03-03-2006
03-23-06 CD4 359 @27.4% VL 75,938
06-01-06 CD4 462 @24.3% VL > 100,000
08-15-06 CD4 388 @22.8% VL >  "
10-21-06 CD4 285 @21.9% VL >  "
  Atripla started 12-01-2006
01-08-07 CD4 429 @26.8% VL 1872!
05-08-07 CD4 478 @28.1% VL 740
08-03-07 CD4 509 @31.8% VL 370
11-06-07 CD4 570 @30.0% VL 140
02-21-08 CD4 648 @32.4% VL 600
05-19-08 CD4 695 @33.1% VL < 48 undetectable!
08-21-08 CD4 725 @34.5%
11-11-08 CD4 672 @39.5%
02-11-09 CD4 773 @36.8%
05-11-09 CD4 615 @36.2%
08-19-09 CD4 770 @38.5%
11-19-09 CD4 944 @33.7%
02-17-10 CD4 678 @39.9%  
06-03-10 CD4 768 @34.9%
09-21-10 CD4 685 @40.3%
01-10-11 CD4 908 @36.3%
05-23-11 CD4 846 @36.8% VL 80
02-13-12 CD4 911 @41.4% VL<20
You must be the change you want to see in the world.  Mahatma Gandhi

Offline Tucsonwoody

  • Member
  • Posts: 396
Re: Lab Costs
« Reply #14 on: January 09, 2007, 10:31:05 pm »
Hey Texasguy - hopefully it won't matter which lab you go to.  I go to LabCorp and they just send the results to my doctor even though there is a lab in her office that is run by another company.

And I wished for guidance, and I wished for peace
I could see the lightning; somewhere in the east
And I wished for affection, and I wished for calm
As I lay there - Nervous in the light of dawn

Offline Strayboy74

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,054
  • tastes like chicken
Re: Lab Costs
« Reply #15 on: January 09, 2007, 10:31:47 pm »
My PPO uses LabCorp to for its labs (no charge to me), so I'm not complaining.  For some reason, I don't really care for LabCorp, but they actually seem to be ok.

David

I used to use them here in California with my Blue Cross HMO... their phelbotomists drew blood with big-gulp straws - the ones with the spoons at the end.  LOL

-joseph

Offline Eldon

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  • Posts: 2,664
Re: Lab Costs
« Reply #16 on: January 10, 2007, 12:26:55 am »
Ouch.

Offline Christine

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,069
Re: Lab Costs
« Reply #17 on: January 10, 2007, 12:47:31 pm »
Mine usually run around $300-350. Insurance pays for 80%, then once I hit the deductible ($2500) it is covered at 100%.

Since I am in a study right now, labs and ID doctor visits are covered under the study, so it is no charge during participation in the study.

Christine
Poz since '93. Currently on Procrit, Azithromax, Pentamidine, Valcyte, Levothyroxine, Zoloft, Epzicom, Prezista, Viread, Norvir, and GS-9137 study drug. As needed: Trazodone, Atavan, Diflucan, Zofran, Hydrocodone, Octreotide

5/30/07 t-cells 9; vl 275,000

Offline Eldon

  • Member
  • Posts: 2,664
Re: Lab Costs
« Reply #18 on: January 10, 2007, 06:44:36 pm »


Something has to get done about all of these associated costs. Especially for the ones whom are on a restricted income.






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