How
to Lower Your Lab Costs: Pay Less for Blood Tests, CAT Scans,
Hormone Tests, and More
Some
of the highest mark-ups among medical expenses involve lab tests
(click here
to see how a patient’s $744 lab fee was repriced to only
$58.32). When you have lab tests performed in a hospital,
or blood drawn at your doctor's office and sent off to a lab,
you almost always pay more than if you order those tests on your
own from an independent lab. Not only are you paying a retail
rate to the lab, but typically the doctor's office also adds their
cut to the price.
As
with most healthcare expenditures, the patient typically does
little-to-no price shopping before ordering lab work. There
is also often a markup by the doctor on tests he or she may order.
So prices are far higher than they should be. Instead of
participating in this messed-up system, most ColoHealth
clients are opting out by ordering their own tests.
ColoHealth
Additional Benefit: Discounted Lab Fees
ColoHealth
has contracted with
USBA Labs to make their lowest pricing available to
our clients and visitors. After joining (there is no cost
to do so), you may order lab tests, x-rays, and even CT scans
or MRIs.
The
President of ColoHealth,
Wiley Long, recently ordered a Comprehensive Metabolic Panel
(CMP). This standard group of tests provides information
about the current status of your kidney and liver function, infection
and nutrition, risk of diabetes and risk of heart disease.
It includes measurements of total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides,
liver enzymes, blood glucose, and many other factors.
This
test, which may have cost over $250 if done at a hospital or doctor's
office, cost him only $45.
It
is not uncommon to save 80% or more on the cost of your tests.
You can even use these testing services when your own doctor is
ordering tests. Just explain that you are paying for the
tests yourself since you have not yet met your deductible, and
as an involved consumer you wish to minimize your out-of-pocket
expenses. If your doctor has a problem with this, you may
want to hire a new doctor.
You
can order the tests online, go have your blood drawn without making
an appointment, and get your results online within 48 hours.
There is no charge for this benefit.
