Need advice on a doctor

[christinajade]

I want to go get my B12, calcium and vitamin D levels checked. I never have before I thought it would be interesting to see. I have health insurance so I was wondering if it is common for insurance companies to cover these tests and is there a special doctor that I need to go to for them?

[snoops]

If you are in Canada any doctor can order the tests and they are covered. If you went to a naturopath they could order the tests but you would have to pay for them, unless you have supplementary insurance through work that might cover it even through a naturopath.

[christinajade]

I'm in the U.S. :(

[Dimond]

Any type of medical doctor can order blood tests and they'd be covered. Even chiropractors. Just say you want to check that everything is okay. Since doctors all believe you should get a yearly physical, a blood test is usually part of that. Just specify anything extra you want to be tested for. Also make sure both the doctor and lab used is part of your insurance.

[christinajade]

Thanks Dimond! I definitely over due for a yearly exam.

[DebB]

And if there's any question as to whether your insurance will cover a certain lab or not - the doctor's office can always call and hopefully they'll let them know over the phone if it's covered.

Otherwise - you can always have the doctor's office request a preauthorization. Then you will know for sure!

That's what I do now after having to pay over $3000 in lab work bills that our insurance paid, then changed their minds (sigh). So, now I just ask the office to call and I'm good to go. *Ü*

[christinajade]

Thanks DebB, good idea!