Thursday, August 26, 2010

ALERT: Billing Issue with Marshall Lab

If you are a MediCare or MediCal patient, you have already noticed that Marshall Lab has been using computer software that can generate a paper for you to sign anytime you come in with a test ordered where MediCare has a possible restriction on how often they can be done. I posted on this on 11/30/09, as patients were becoming concerned about being billed for tests that were ordered by their doctor.

Evidently, a problem has arisen where you sign this paperwork even though MediCare should be covering the test. This should be OK, because all the form states is that you are aware that you MAY (not will or shall) be billed. However, MediCare seems to be taking this as blanket acceptance for them to refuse to pay on the tests.

This is not at all how this is supposed to work. We have been in touch with Chris, who is a woman who does billing for Marshall. She is advising patients not to pay in these situations, and is re-billing MediCare. She has given us permission to give out her name and also her phone number to use in case you are in this predicament.

Her number is 626-2770, ext. 2588#.

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