Getting a medical bill that you did not expect before can be confusing and frustrating, especially when you are sure you are not participating in anything. For instance, you receive a bill from LabCorp when you arrive at your house. Upon seeing the bill, you must be confused and frustrated because you did not expect it.
Laboratory Corporation of America, which is also more known as LabCorp in short, is the name of one of the largest clinical laboratory networks in the United States. If you get a bill from the company and you have no idea what it is for, read the following to find the possible reasons why they send you a bill.
Some Possible Reasons Why LabCorp Send You a Bill
There are several possible reasons why you get a bill from LabCorp, as follows:
1. Laboratory Testing Services
LabCorp is known as a provider of laboratory testing services. It conducts some different kinds of medical tests to help healthcare professionals in diagnosing and monitoring the health conditions of the patients. These tests include routine blood work such as complete blood counts and cholesterol levels and more complex tests such as genetic screenings and cancer biomarker assessments.
If your healthcare provider orders lab tests, they may prefer to use the services offered by LabCorp because they are accurate and reliable. One of the healthcare providers that choose LabCorp as its partner for labs and tests is called ZoomCare. Here is how LabCorp billing works as explained on the official website of ZoomCare:
- ZoomCare sends your payment information with your test.
- Your insurer and their payment are billed by LabCorp.
- If you have a balance, you will get a bill in the mail.
- Upon getting a bill from LabCorp, it is time for you to pay your balance online on the official website of LabCorp at labcorp.com.
Keep in mind that while your insurance information might be taken by your doctor, the lab services are usually billed separately. It is one of the possible reasons why you get a bill from LabCorp.
2. Insurance Coverage and Billing
Coverage for laboratory testing services can vary. It depends on your certain plan and the services offered. Just like other healthcare providers, LabCorp will send the bill to your insurance company directly if you do the lab test on your behalf. However, even though it is covered by insurance, there might still be expenses that are not covered by the insurance and you have to pay for them differently.
3. Billing Errors
It is possible for the error to happen and it can happen due to various reasons. LabCorp might send you a bill because there is a simple administrative mistake, such as an incorrect insurance code or a typographical error. In order to ensure accuracy, please review your bill well and compare it with the Explanation of Benefits or EOB from your insurance company.
4. Laboratory Tests That Are Not Ordered by Your Doctor
The next possible reason why you get a bill from LabCorp is because there is a misunderstanding between the healthcare provider and LabCorp or there is a mix-up of patient records.
5. Balance Billing
There might be balance billing that makes you get a bill from LabCorp. This kind of thing occurs when you have to pay for the difference between the amount charged by the healthcare provider and the amount paid by your insurance company. It is usually related to out-of-network services or when your insurance plan is rejected by a provider.
6. Uncovered or Non-Preventive Services
There are some laboratory tests that might not be considered preventive care by your insurance plan. That’s why you get a bill from LabCorp because it may not be covered by your insurance. Aside from that, it might be because you request certain tests that are not medically necessary.
A Thing to Do When Getting a Bill from LabCorp
In case you get a bill from LabCorp and have no idea what to do, you are recommended to contact Patient Billing at 800-845-6167 to get more information about a bill that you get from the company.
Bottom Line
Getting a bill from LabCorp can be something that makes you confused. However, everything will be well if you find out the real reason why they send you one. It is better for you to try a few things, such as reviewing your bills, verifying insurance coverage, and contacting LabCorp and your healthcare provider.
A bookworm and researcher especially related to law and citizenship education. I spend time every day in front of the internet and the campus library.
