Lab Tests, X-ray, MRI, CT-Scans and Ultrasound/Echocardiography

Lab tests are sometimes done on the premises (time permitting). X-ray and MRI, CT, mammograms, etc. are referred out. Most insurance plans require that lab or imaging work be performed elsewhere.

You will receive separate bills from outside labs, X-ray or MRI departments for tests sent out of the office. Contact the phone number on the bill with any questions. You are ultimately responsible for all fees, so be sure all tests are performed at an approved insurance plan facility.

It is your responsibility to identify the lab or specialist OK'ed by your insurance company and use that provider, since they often change and we can't possibly keep track of all the plans. Please do the following to avoid being overcharged for your medical lab tests by your insurance company:
1. Call or email your insurance company and ask which of the following labs they contract; LabCorp, Quest, Seton
2. Ask if they cover lab tests with "preventive" (wellness) codes or "diagnostic" (illness) codes.
3. Call us with the answers at 650-301-0500 and we will post the info to your medical record
These simple steps will allow us to continue giving you the best medical care at the least cost to you.

Some tests and X-rays, especially preventive-care tests, are denied coverage by insurance plans, and require payment by you. We will try to let you know in advance if this is so for your visit, but the benefits offered by your insurance plan are between you, your insurance company, and your employer. We will recommend the tests we think you need for medical reasons.

Please do not call about test results until at least 14 days after the test. All patients are notified about test results, including blood tests, X-ray, CAT Scans, MRI, pap smears, mammograms, etc. If your test results are not normal, we will call you within a few days of receiving the results. If your test results are normal, we will notify you by mail within 10-14 days.

Here is a link to preventive testing paid for by Medicare Guide to Medicare Preventive Services

Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring requires you to wear a small recording instrument -sort of like a Walkman or iPod- for 24 hours. It checks to verify that any high blood pressure readings in our office are not just due to nervousness about being in a medical office; or checks for variable blood pressure. This validates or eliminates consideration of your having to take medicines every day for high blood pressure.This test may or may-not be covered by your insurance, but it is important that you not take medicines unnecessarily for the rest of your life just because your blood pressure goes up when you walk into a doctor's office!

Ultrasound/echocardiogrphy are tests for which we used to have to send patients to San Francisco every day.

We are quite pleased that we now have a Cypress Ultrasound in the office, which is the newest, high performance, phased-array echo system ever built! A technician specialist administers the test and it is interpreted by a cardiologist nearby for greater convenience and faster results for patients.

This includes the type of "LifeLine Screenings" that you see advertised for stroke and artery screening, only of much higher quality and dependability, and possibly covered by your insurance or Medicare! The tests are painless and done in our office.

Technical data for referring physicians

Reasons for echocardiogram (beating heart) tests, also known as "diagnostic cardiac ultrasound" include:
(all the following can be researched at the AAFP web site for patients)
Dyspnea (uncomfortable, labored breathing or shortness of breath)
Murmur
Fever
Stroke about stroke and TIA
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol)
Coronary Artery Disease
Congestive Heart Failure
Cardiomyopathy (enlargement of the heart)
Atrial Fibrillation (irregular or racing heartbeat)
Syncope (fainting)
Heart Defects
Valve Disorders
Weakened Health Muscles

Indications for carotid (neck artery) studies include:
Hypertension
Bruit (say "brew-ee"; noise indicating narrowed artery)
Hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol)
Diabetes
Dizziness
Transient Ischemic Attack (also called a "mini-stroke" or TIA) about stroke and TIA
Leg or arm weakness
Aphasia (loss of ability to use or understand words)

Indications for leg arterial studies include
Leg pain
Leg cramps
Hypertension
Diabetes
Foot numbness or coolness

Indications for leg venous studies include:
Leg edema
Varicose veins
Leg pain
Congestive Heart Failure

Here is a link to preventive testing paid for by Medicare Guide to Medicare Preventive Services

©Bay Area Family Practice Inc. A Medical Group, 1850 Sullivan Ave, Suite 210, Daly City CA 94015 (next to Seton Medical Center)