Unauthorized labs

[bpong]

I had my surgery about 7 weeks ago.  This week I received bills for lab work that was done totaling $800.  After calling the Dr. office they said it was to check for cancer on tissue taken from the surgery. 

I never consented to having these tests done and was never informed that they would be done.  I only found out because of the bills in the mail.

Has anyone had similar experiences? What are my rights here? I really don't want to pay for absurd tests that I wouldn't have authorized.

Drs. Jacobs and Bermant, is this fishy? Shouldn't the patient know when and how his tissues are being tested and what exactly he is liable for?



Many thanks to a wonderful community.

[Dr. Elliot Jacobs]

Any tissue which is removed from a person during the course of surgery is routinely sent to a laboratory for pathological exam -- that is standard and medically sound practice.

I always advise my patients that they may receive a separate lab bill for pathology if I make a peri-areolar incision and remove solid tissue.  When I am able to remove everything with the cannula only, the tissue is actually destroyed in the process of removal and hence it is not sent to a lab.

You might inquire, however, about the amount of your bill -- it seems very high.

Dr Jacobs

[bpong]

Thank you, Dr. Jacobs.  This makes me feel much better.