INFORMATION FOR THE MEDICARE PATIENT

The Medicare program has certain guidelines for payment of laboratory testing. Medicare will pay for laboratory tests which are medically necessary. Medicare will not pay for laboratory tests which are associated with a routine physical. Also, Medicare will not pay for non-FDA approved tests or those tests ordered by a Chiropractor or Naturopathic Doctor.

Your physician will supply us with information about your condition or symptoms. Medicare requires that this information be included on the claim for laboratory services. The information about your condition will affect the settlement of the claim. It will cause Medicare to either pay for the testing or to deny payment of the testing.

At the time of specimen collection, Interpath personnel or doctor's staff will advise you if Medicare may deny payment for any of the tests ordered. You will be asked to sign the Federal form called Advance Beneficiary Notice. By signing this form you will agree to be financially responsible for payment of tests not paid by Medicare.

Some supplemental medical insurance policies will pay for tests not covered by Medicare. Medicare will send information about your claim automatically to most supplemental insurance companies. If you are not sure if your insurance company is receiving this information, you may contact Medicare to find out. Their phone number is (800) 444-4606.