Chitoshi
MyPTSD Pro
Hi everyone,
I'm not sure of procedures, but I just got a letter from my doctor's office that I need a few blood tests, one to test liver function, and one called a "comprehensive metabolic panel." The third test says "Drug Urine Screen." The reason for these is "Chronic Pain Syndrome."
So I understand that a drug test is to obviously test for drugs in your system. Anyone who's been following will know that I have neck and shoulder pain and have been struggling for about three years-ish now. Anyone who hasn't been following me, well, you just found out I've been struggling with near-constant pain! Haha.
Anyways. I was never given any drugs for this condition, and I was given 15 muscle relaxers that were 10 mg from my primary care physician to get me to my "pain management specialist" appointment. (I have an HMO if that's relevant).
So my question: I thought drug tests were for those who had already been prescribed opiods or something? I can't help but feel highly suspicious that they'd bill my insurance for a drug panel if it isn't needed. I don't have anything to "hide" because I'm not doing drugs.
The reason I am suspicious about it is because the lab technician I talked to said it was strange they were looking at a liver function panel as well as a comprehensive metabolic panel, because the comprehensive metabolic panel already gives you the numbers you need for the liver function panel so it's redundant.
So if the liver function panel is redundant (and presumably unnecessary), why the drug test?
Could anyone give me insight into this?
They requested these labs from me in September and did not inform me that they had requested them from the insurance company, and they just sent a reminder January 4th in the mail which is why I got it today.
I guess I'm just confused why the drug screen is necessary because I'm already using my insurance a lot so I don't want them billed unless I need it because my health is already precarious.
I'm not sure of procedures, but I just got a letter from my doctor's office that I need a few blood tests, one to test liver function, and one called a "comprehensive metabolic panel." The third test says "Drug Urine Screen." The reason for these is "Chronic Pain Syndrome."
So I understand that a drug test is to obviously test for drugs in your system. Anyone who's been following will know that I have neck and shoulder pain and have been struggling for about three years-ish now. Anyone who hasn't been following me, well, you just found out I've been struggling with near-constant pain! Haha.
Anyways. I was never given any drugs for this condition, and I was given 15 muscle relaxers that were 10 mg from my primary care physician to get me to my "pain management specialist" appointment. (I have an HMO if that's relevant).
So my question: I thought drug tests were for those who had already been prescribed opiods or something? I can't help but feel highly suspicious that they'd bill my insurance for a drug panel if it isn't needed. I don't have anything to "hide" because I'm not doing drugs.
The reason I am suspicious about it is because the lab technician I talked to said it was strange they were looking at a liver function panel as well as a comprehensive metabolic panel, because the comprehensive metabolic panel already gives you the numbers you need for the liver function panel so it's redundant.
So if the liver function panel is redundant (and presumably unnecessary), why the drug test?
Could anyone give me insight into this?
They requested these labs from me in September and did not inform me that they had requested them from the insurance company, and they just sent a reminder January 4th in the mail which is why I got it today.
I guess I'm just confused why the drug screen is necessary because I'm already using my insurance a lot so I don't want them billed unless I need it because my health is already precarious.