Conclusion: Case Studies

Case Study 5

  • The Client Services department which is a crowded room divided into cubicles which contain desks separated only by thin moveable dividers. Lots of activity, phones ringing, multiple conversations going on at once etc. A client service representative receives a call from a large client office that she speaks with every day for a variety of reasons. Today the client is requesting the laboratory to write off the charges for a test that the office person ordered incorrectly by mistake even though the laboratory has already done the test and reported the results back to the office. Since this service representative works with this office frequently she believes that this is a rare request. Actions that the client service representative may take are:
  • Correct Answer: Refuse to write off the charges for the test and inform the client that it could be considered an inducement if the laboratory does that, which would make both the laboratory and the office liable should it ever come to light. Offer whatever billing options are available according to lab policies.
    or
    Refuse to write off the charges and explain to the client that approval must be obtained from the department manager or the laboratory compliance officer before any action can be taken because writing the test off could be considered an inducement.
  • Discussion: The primary reason is that the test is not written off simply because the client asks for it to be done. Tests should never be written off by the laboratory automatically. There should always be an approval process involved or a policy that strictly forbids any write off except in the case an error on the part of the laboratory where documentation exists to support it.

Learn more about laboratory continuing education for individuals and lab safety and compliance courses for the whole lab.

Medicare Compliance for Clinical Laboratories course details »

Learn more about laboratory continuing education for ASCP, AMT, NCA, and state renewal and recertification requirements »

Get information on OSHA laboratory safety courses for clinical and medical laboratories »