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Arranging Client Billing Labs
The most common way for a DPC practice to arrange lab services is via a client billing (this phrase is key!) arrangement if it’s allowed in your state. Effectively, this is a “pass-through” arrangement where the lab company bills the practice (the “client”), rather than the individual patient. While not truly direct-pay or self-pay, it’s what most lab companies are comfortable doing to offer better pricing. The process for setting up a client bill is fairly straightforward but does require a few steps:
In some areas, the most time-efficient way to establish client billing with a lab may be through a GPO/GPP. There are many GPOs/GPPs that offer this service. The advantage is that it requires very little work on the part of the physician, but the trade-off is that you may not get the absolute best pricing available. One such example is the DPCA GPP program.
Finding a lab company willing to offer a client-bill arrangement
These options will be very dependent on your location but both small locally-owned lab companies and large national lab companies have worked with DPC practices around the country. The easiest option to get started here is to speak with a DPC doctor in your area to see which lab companies have been most friendly and affordable.
The nationwide lab companies with the largest menu of testing are Quest and LabCorp. These companies have local/regional representatives that you will work with. You can typically identify a representative through their websites or by speaking with a local DPC doctor. The regional variability (service & pricing) is significant so, once again, speak with a local DPC doctor.
Obtaining a contract for your desired labs and prices:
If you are starting from scratch (no existing DPC or standard client-bill pricing) with a lab company, you may need to start with a smaller list of labs. Even though you may need 100+ lab tests eventually, having fair pricing on your 10-20 most common labs is something to build on; you can add more later. Be aware though, if you select something with “reflex” and the additional labs are not on your list you will get a LARGE bill for the reflexed labs.
Once services and pricing are agreed to, the lab company typically arranges a monthly bill with your business.
Phlebotomy options
Decide if you are going to offer onsite phlebotomy. Many lab companies will provide some basic supplies (needles, tubes, etc.) and equipment (centrifuge, label printer, etc.) at no cost to you. If you do onsite phlebotomy, your options will be to arrange to pick-up from the lab courier or to mail the sample depending on the lab you are working with.
Most lab companies will have a “service center” that can do phlebotomy but may come with an additional “draw fee” that should be included in your client bill contract.
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Arranging Client Billing Labs
The most common way for a DPC practice to arrange lab services is via a client billing (this phrase is key!) arrangement if it’s allowed in your state. Effectively, this is a “pass-through” arrangement where the lab company bills the practice (the “client”), rather than the individual patient. While not truly direct-pay or self-pay, it’s what most lab companies are comfortable doing to offer better pricing. The process for setting up a client bill is fairly straightforward but does require a few steps:
In some areas, the most time-efficient way to establish client billing with a lab may be through a GPO/GPP. There are many GPOs/GPPs that offer this service. The advantage is that it requires very little work on the part of the physician, but the trade-off is that you may not get the absolute best pricing available. One such example is the DPCA GPP program.
Finding a lab company willing to offer a client-bill arrangement
These options will be very dependent on your location but both small locally-owned lab companies and large national lab companies have worked with DPC practices around the country. The easiest option to get started here is to speak with a DPC doctor in your area to see which lab companies have been most friendly and affordable.
The nationwide lab companies with the largest menu of testing are Quest and LabCorp. These companies have local/regional representatives that you will work with. You can typically identify a representative through their websites or by speaking with a local DPC doctor. The regional variability (service & pricing) is significant so, once again, speak with a local DPC doctor.
Obtaining a contract for your desired labs and prices:
If you are starting from scratch (no existing DPC or standard client-bill pricing) with a lab company, you may need to start with a smaller list of labs. Even though you may need 100+ lab tests eventually, having fair pricing on your 10-20 most common labs is something to build on; you can add more later. Be aware though, if you select something with “reflex” and the additional labs are not on your list you will get a LARGE bill for the reflexed labs.
Once services and pricing are agreed to, the lab company typically arranges a monthly bill with your business.
Phlebotomy options
Decide if you are going to offer onsite phlebotomy. Many lab companies will provide some basic supplies (needles, tubes, etc.) and equipment (centrifuge, label printer, etc.) at no cost to you. If you do onsite phlebotomy, your options will be to arrange to pick-up from the lab courier or to mail the sample depending on the lab you are working with.
Most lab companies will have a “service center” that can do phlebotomy but may come with an additional “draw fee” that should be included in your client bill contract.