My PS said, to replace my saline implant with a new silicon gel. He will need to send my breast tissue out to UCLA pathology for cancer test. He said its cost around 200-300 depends. Now I got a bill from UCLA medical group patients pay for 1700k. I came back and asked him, He said, he had to send my tissue out, it's a state of CA law. Surgeon please advise
February 14, 2016
Answer: Patients always have the right to refuse services especially if it will burden them with more costs. If the State would pay for this, then it wouldn't matter but because they are burdening you with more costs, it should be your decision, the same as the cancer patient who refuses to have chemotherapy. Standard procedures should be reviewed with you before entering the operating room.And I know of no standard pathology that costs that much... but it could be what they charge insurance companies but insurance companies have their agreed upon reimbursement. Your surgeon's estimates sound much more realistic. So you can ask your surgeon for proof that it was required of him to submit the tissue and if it was more hospital requirement, then they should pay for it. Otherwise, you can ask the pathologists for a cash fee or more commonly, pay the insurance contracted reimbursement fee that your insurance company has negotiated with them if your deductibles have not yet been met. In the end, it should not cost anything close to that for a standard gross and microscopic exam.
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February 14, 2016
Answer: Patients always have the right to refuse services especially if it will burden them with more costs. If the State would pay for this, then it wouldn't matter but because they are burdening you with more costs, it should be your decision, the same as the cancer patient who refuses to have chemotherapy. Standard procedures should be reviewed with you before entering the operating room.And I know of no standard pathology that costs that much... but it could be what they charge insurance companies but insurance companies have their agreed upon reimbursement. Your surgeon's estimates sound much more realistic. So you can ask your surgeon for proof that it was required of him to submit the tissue and if it was more hospital requirement, then they should pay for it. Otherwise, you can ask the pathologists for a cash fee or more commonly, pay the insurance contracted reimbursement fee that your insurance company has negotiated with them if your deductibles have not yet been met. In the end, it should not cost anything close to that for a standard gross and microscopic exam.
Helpful
February 12, 2016
Answer: Breast tissue is sent for pathology For a routine implant exchange, it is uncommon to biopsy or remove breast tissue. However, if any breast tissue is removed (like for a lift/ capsulectomy/ reduction) it is standard procedure to send this tissue for pathological examination. You may want to call your doctors office manager and ask her to review the bill or call the hospital billing company directly and ask them to review the charges. Your insurance may also possibly cover the costs of the breast tissue biopsy.
Helpful
February 12, 2016
Answer: Breast tissue is sent for pathology For a routine implant exchange, it is uncommon to biopsy or remove breast tissue. However, if any breast tissue is removed (like for a lift/ capsulectomy/ reduction) it is standard procedure to send this tissue for pathological examination. You may want to call your doctors office manager and ask her to review the bill or call the hospital billing company directly and ask them to review the charges. Your insurance may also possibly cover the costs of the breast tissue biopsy.
Helpful
