Post # 1
Member
853 posts
Busy bee
A month ago, I went to the doctor with an extremely high fever and pain in my lower right side. This is Too Much Information, but it needs to be said. I was on my period at the time. I told the doctor and nurse this. Anyways, at the doctor, they suspected a kidney infection, made me pee in a cup, and sent my urine off for a urinalysis. During the appointment (after I peed in a cup) the nurse came in and said “that test in negative” and nothing else. I was diagnosed with a kidney infection and put on antibiotics. Yesterday, I got my bill for my appointment. They performed a pregnancy test on me, and my insurance refuses to pay for it. I did not even know they had done one until I got the stupid bill.
What should I do?
I am thinking about calling them and fighting the charges. Any advice?
Post # 3
Member
4323 posts
Honey bee
Likely, your provider gave you a pregnancy test because the symptoms you described can match an ectopic pregnancy, and they needed to rule it out. It was necessary in order to treat you responsibly.
Can you maybe call the insurance company and ask why they refuse to cover that portion? If they say it is unrelated to your treatment, I’d have the provider call them and explain otherwise.
Post # 4
Member
1497 posts
Bumble bee
Typically a pregnancy test is standard procedure for any female of childbearing age. The last ER that I worked in did “double dips,” (meaning any time urine was collected it was used for the intented test and an automatic pregnancy test) on any female between 13 and 70. Yes, 70. The thought is that you rule out pregnancy first because all treatment plans change if you are, in fact, pregnant. For example, you would have gotten different antibiotics if you were pregnant.
So, I would call the insurance company and start there. The ED provided logical, and in all honesty basic, care.
Post # 5
Member
5543 posts
Bee Keeper
Agreed with PP, if you are child bearing age (12-55 around my hospitals) you get a pregnancy test because it changes potential treatments, medication, and all that. I don’t know why your insurance didn’t cover it so I would start there, because I am fairly certain the hospital lab followed their standard protocols.
Post # 6
Member
13095 posts
Honey Beekeeper
Your doctor did nothing wrong. They needed to ensure you weren’t pregnant in order to treat you properly.
If you’re going to fight this with anyone, it would be with the insurance company.
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