Posted on 01/08/2010 3:41:40 PM PST by decimon
NEWSCHIEF -- While Washington is deep in the throes of trying to overhaul the nation's health-care system, another development is fast gathering momentum that shows the lawmakers in many ways are pursuing a moving target.
A growing number of Americans are bypassing doctors and going directly to online and storefront labs for diagnostic testing. Most often they pay for these tests out of their own pocket. The results may persuade the consumer to pursue the matter further with a personal physician but, in any case, the consumer is in charge of who sees the results.
(Excerpt) Read more at mjperry.blogspot.com ...
Bell tolls ping.
I like this idea.
Are there any more medicos’ chops to bust in this forum?
It's time has come?
>> A growing number of Americans are bypassing doctors and going directly to online and storefront labs for diagnostic testing.
I’m one of ‘em. Been doing it several years now. We have high-deductible health insurance plus an HSA. I use a “storefront lab” to keep an eye on things. At $50 per work-up I can afford to do it 2 to 3 times a year — more often than an annual physical in the physician’s office.
Really, about all the doctor does during a physical anyway is review your lab report. I learned to do it myself. By the way, the continuity in blood test parameters from my physician’s lab to the storefront lab was excellent and their repeatability seems quite good.
Thanks. It helps to know how people have fared with these things.
It can be a good thing. I have gone directly on my A1C. It is a better indicator than daily blood testing (3 times a day for me).
>> Thanks. It helps to know how people have fared with these things.
So far so good.
To tell the truth, I got burned out on annual physicals, at which my 300 lb physician (I’m not making that up!) would would ask me the IDENTICAL questions that his Office Girl asked (and wrote down) fifteen minutes before, stick his finger up my rear and then bitch at me about my borderline cholesterol and press me to do Lipitor. Phooey on that.
What specific tests do you purchase, by the way?
What is a borderline cholesterol level approximately? THX.
You don’t need a prescription to get your blood drawn and tested?
for later
Just sign up online for test you want and they give locations nearby to get blood drawn. They use a national chain for that. I actually get mine drawn in same building as my doctor.
When I get results I decide if I need to see doctor.
When paying out of pocket you get very fugal with money.
And when it's of no cost to you, it's champagne and caviar for all you care. When it's of no cost to you, there's squat you can do about any overcharges you see.
thanks, bfl
200. Hi!
Interesting,how do you find these “storefront labs”? We just wound up on a high deductible plan
As a medical lab technologist who performs these tests, I am interested in this topic as well. Most hospital systems offer "multiphasic" lab testing. They set up a specific date at a location like a church or ymca and you can sign up, have your blood drawn and have a battery of tests for a set fee. You don't need a physician's order, but you would have the results faxed to your MD. Usually the basic tests are CBC, Comprehensive Metabolic Profile and Lipids, and PSA for men over 50. Some of the extra tests might be CEA for cancer screening and cardiac enzymes.
Perhaps if this Health Care debacle gets foisted on us and I lose my job because of it, this is something that I could get involved with.
mdvip.com
Where healthcare is headed.
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