Several Web Sites Offer Access To Diagnostic Tests
22 Jun 2006Several Web sites -- DirectLabs.com, HealthCheckUSA, MedlabUSA.com and MyMedLab.com -- are offering consumers the chance to order the same diagnostic tests they might obtain at walk-in laboratories, hospitals and clinics, the Wall Street Journal reports. Customers do not need a prescription from their physician to obtain the tests; rather, they can visit one of the Web sites, choose a test, enter their ZIP code and receive driving directions to the nearest laboratory. According to the Web sites, an in-house doctor approves requests for the tests. Patients pay upfront for the tests and can receive a receipt to submit for reimbursement from an insurance company or a health savings account. However, most insurance companies will not reimburse patients for tests that were not ordered by a physician, the Journal reports. A blood test from MyMedLab.com costs $45, while a local hospital lab test costs $295. Customers can get screenings for heart disease, diabetes, sexually transmitted infections and iron levels. Results are only reported to the customer, and they are not included in a patient's medical records. According to the Journal, typical users of the online services are "health-conscious people who want tests to monitor" various conditions and "uninsured people who don't want to pay for regular doctors visits." The sites also target patients concerned about confidentiality. Bruce Friedman, emeritus professor of pathology at the University of Michigan Medical School, said, "Anything that can get people to a higher level of awareness of their own health status and get them to take some ownership is positive." David Clymer, president of MyMedLab.com, said, "We're not simply 20% cheaper -- we're 20% of [hospitals' cost]. That's how consumer-driver health care is supposed to be." However, some doctors fear that users will "misinterpret or ignore" their test results, the Journal reports. Edward Hill, a family physician and past president of the American Medical Association, said, "Do [patients] know what to do with the results?"(Timiraos, Wall Street Journal, 6/20).
"Reprinted with permission from http://www.kaisernetwork.org. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at http://www.kaisernetwork.org/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork.org, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation . © 2005 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.
Article URL: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=45594
Judge Throws Out Charges Against UnitedHealthcare, Coventry Of Improper Practices In Paying Physicians
22 Jun 2006U.S. District Judge Federico Moreno on Monday dismissed all claims that remained against UnitedHealth Group and Coventry Health Care in a class-action lawsuit filed on behalf of more than 700,000 physicians nationwide, the Wall Street Journal reports (Fuhrmans, Wall Street Journal, 6/20). In the lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida in 1999, physicians alleged that Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Cigna, Coventry Health Care, Health Net, Humana, PacifiCare Health Systems, Prudential Financial Securities, UnitedHealth and WellPoint Health Networks delayed or denied reimbursements for medical services and illegally rejected claims for necessary services as part of a racketeering conspiracy (Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, 10/19/05). The other health insurers involved in the lawsuit had previously settled claims against them for a combined $646 million. In his decision, Moreno wrote, "After reviewing thousands of documents, there is simply insufficient evidence of the wrongdoing claimed." He added that, although he did not support the actions of UnitedHealth and Coventry, those actions were "beyond the power of this court." In addition, Moreno wrote, "Those desiring changes in the way health care is provided in America must either look for remedies before Congress or allow the free market to dictate the results."
Reaction
Harley Tropin, co-lead attorney for the physicians, said, "We are extremely disappointed and respectfully disagree with the court's order." He added that the plaintiffs might appeal the decision (Dorschner, Miami Herald, 6/20). Archie Lamb, co-lead attorney for the physicians, also said that UnitedHealth and Coventry could face additional lawsuits related to reimbursement practices because they did not settle the claims against them (Wall Street Journal, 6/20). In a statement, UnitedHealth CEO William McGuire said, "We are pleased with today's decision. Looking ahead, UnitedHealth Group will continue to focus on our overarching goal: working constructively with physicians and other partners to provide all Americans with greater access to affordable, quality health care" (Miami Herald, 6/20).
"Reprinted with permission from http://www.kaisernetwork.org. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at http://www.kaisernetwork.org/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork.org, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation . © 2005 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.
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