Getting Your Test Results In Office

If you’ve ever been to a doctor’s office, chances are you’ve probably had medical tests, labs and/or imaging done to rule out or confirm different diagnoses.  At LWSS, a follow-up with the ordering physician is required to receive your medical test results.  Some patients wonder why their physician requires them to return to the office to get their test results.  It can be easy to let impatience and worries take over regarding a result follow-up appointment; What if something bad is found?  Why should I have to come all the way to the clinic for a quick answer over the phone?  Why is my physician charging my insurance and me for a result on a test they ordered?

LWSS physicians and staff are dedicated to providing the best care possible to our patients and a follow-up appointment to review test results is needed for several reasons:

·     To provide details- While reports are generated for any test performed, often times they are confusing and hard to read for the patient.  Test results associated with imaging especially are important to be given in the office since the physician will go over the actual images with the patient.  The images provide a “visual medium” which the physician can use to help explain what the results mean.  This cannot be done over the phone since the physician will have the images pulled up on the computer for both of him and the patient to view during the follow-up appointment.

·     To provide context- The physicians at LWSS are specialized at interpreting test results to determine some “false positives” and “false negatives” that could appear.  A false positive is a result with an abnormal finding but the patient is not affected; a false negative is a result with a normal finding but the patient is affected.  By coming in for a follow-up appointment, the physician can contextualize the findings for the patient.  For example: You’re buying a new home and have a home inspection to check on the condition of the house.  Within the home inspection report, there are a lot of incidental findings but you as the home buyer need to know which findings need to be acted on before you purchase the house.

·     To provide security- The physician recognizes the importance of disclosing test results to patients in a warm, safe environment.  Certain test results may include difficult diagnoses that can prompt many questions from the patient.  The physician wants you in office so they can answer any questions you may have, in person.  They will provide explanations of your treatment options, creating a referral and/or appointment for your treatment choice and more.  Also, it protects the patient’s confidentiality; while it sometimes is more convenient to receive a test result via phone or email there is no 100% way to confirm the patient’s identity unless they’re in the office.

·      To provide your physician fair compensation- When any test results are received, the physician takes dedicated time to review the results and determine the next steps involved in the patient’s care.  When the physician has invested his time and efforts into your care, it's only fair that he be paid.  A medical claim can only be sent to health insurance when a patient is seen for an office appointment; by disclosing test results to you over the phone the physician is unable to bill the insurance for the services they’ve just provided to you.

It is important to come in for your results follow-up appointment.  As a patient, you need to understand what these results mean and discuss the next best steps with your physician.  I hope this provides a better understanding of the importance of attending your results follow-up appointment and as always our team is here to support you on your path to staying active!