The Coach Gets hit with Medicare Procedures:
I went for a blood test today and was told Medicare would not pay because it’s only been 358 days since Medicare paid for my last blood test almost a year ago. They suggested I reschedule. Since I’d been fasting for for more than 10 hours, and then began thinking about the hassle factor of rescheduling the blood work appointment and the extended delay of my annual checkup, I quickly said: “Will you take cash”? things happen fast when you say cash!
The answer: Yes, but you’ll have to sign an ABN Form. I signed the form, they took the blood, I paid $100 cash and left. I was eligible for a Medicare blood test the same day as my doctor’s appointment (7 days from now). This was a lesson learned on how Medicare’s time allotment plan works.
If this ever happens to you, you better keep good records on the exact number of days between the time you get complete blood work paid for by Medicare, or be prepared to pay cash when they hand you the ABN (Advanced Beneficary Notice of Noncoverage form.
The form says: ‘Medicare does not pay for everything, even some care that you or your health care proider have good reason to think you need. We expect Medicare not to pay for the items or services below:
Lipid profile, Total PSA, and Venipuncture.(test ordered by my doctor)
So know when Medicare pays, and how long you need to wait for certain blood tests. There’s one blood test you won’t mind paying cash for if you are a male. It’s the PSA test. Medicare will only pay for one PSA test every 365 days. If you have an elevated PSA, Prostate-Specific Antigen reading, and your doctor wants you to get tested again in six months, Medicare won’t pay until 365 days have passed between your last PSA test.
Know the Medicare rules, but always carry cash just in case.
Coach
