I recently had a biopsy performed by my doctor. I knew this would be sent to an independent lab for testing. I figured a few hundred dollars for the doctor services and maybe $500 to $1000 for the lab. I get a bill from the doctor for his services and it seemed reasonable. I get a bill from the lab for thousands of dollars AFTER the adjustment. All in network. Then I get a second bill from the same lab for the doctors services. WTF…. The doctor gets to double dip? In past experiences I have had ER bills where I pay the hospital and the attending doctor but the way I see it is that doctor isn’t my doctor but rather the hospitals Dr performing the services. Can someone with more medical industry knowledge explain how my doctor can be both working as my advocate and also as the independent labs employee during the same appointment? Seems unethical and seems to be exploiting the patient. He got paid more for his role with the lab than his role as my doctor.
