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Right to test results?

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Posted 4/19/2012 6:48 PM (GMT -5)
Rather than try to convince my disbelieving GP to sign for the Igenex test, I went to an "LLMD" (ND) to have it done through her.

Well, it cost me a ton of money for the visit, tests and the drive down to the ND, and now the results are in, and they want me to come in to get the results. If it's too far, i can give them my credit card number and she will call me to explain the results to me.

Do I not have a right to the results without having to pay more money for them?

I am so mad!!!

I am in Canada, and I thought we had a right to test results without paying MORE for them? I don't want to waste my money and time going for another appointment just to find out that the tests are ambiguous. I would also like the opportunity to see and interpret the results myself (with help from my online friends). I just don't' trust the medical community anymore. Also, with my one and only visit with this ND, I felt that she was completely ignorant and tended to go off on tangents about weird things, such as injecting scar tissue with freezing to open up electrical channels....
Posted 4/19/2012 6:56 PM (GMT -5)
Yes I believe you do have a right to them but since the dr. wrote the script, technically I guess he can say he has the right to charge to read them and discuss the results with you. It has annoyed me to no end over the years that I have to wait to get an apt. with a dr. to get my tests results. Some labs will give you a copy upon insistence. Have you requested them?
Posted 4/19/2012 7:03 PM (GMT -5)
Do you mean have I requested a copy of the results from Igenex?

If so, no, but I will!
Posted 4/19/2012 7:14 PM (GMT -5)
I always, always get copies of every test. Different doctors interpret things differently (and covey them differently to the patient), so I make sure to always get a copy of every test I have done, for my records.

I wouldn't think your doctor would charge you to go over the results of the test, but if that's the case, I would just contact Igenex and request a copy of the results. You paid for the test, no reason they wouldn't provide you with a copy of the results.

Good Luck!
Posted 4/19/2012 7:33 PM (GMT -5)
That's good advice - to get copies of every test. Especially when it's Lyme, which is such a journey and so complex.
Posted 4/19/2012 8:15 PM (GMT -5)
I just asked Igenix for mine less than a week ago and they said I had to get them from dr. urghhhh
Posted 4/20/2012 9:20 AM (GMT -5)
That sounds so frustrating! My LLMD doesn't give me test results until she can go over them with me, and she does charge for phone consultations. Perhaps if you told her you just want a copy of the results and not the consultation, they would oblige?

I had one doctor that charged a dollar to make copies, and that was it. I did have to pick them up though.
Posted 4/20/2012 9:51 AM (GMT -5)
Every doctor I've ever been to refused to give me the test results without meeting with me for an appointment. I don't know if it's some kind of policy or what. I get really annoyed by this. Especially when it's something we've been over a million times like a basic CBC, a liver function panel, or a CD57.

I've tried calling for results, picking them up, etc. Non-LLMD's are notorious for this.

I could see if the test was for something that could be really traumatic like the results of a biopsy or something, but mine have always been routine, non-life threatening results.

Perhaps something else you could consider would be for the doctor to fax them to your GP. If you aren't planning on seeing this ND as your permanent LLND. Then you could go over them at an office where your insurance is accepted and get a copy to bring to your next LLMD (since you will likely be told by your GP that you are negative).
Posted 4/20/2012 1:44 PM (GMT -5)
Well, I see that it's pretty standard, so I booked a phone consult to save myself a trip. :D
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