Chlamydia Testing?

[elladee]

I had my annual gyn exam/pap smear in April. Paid my regular visit co-pay. Then yesterday I got a bill in the mail for another copay. When I googled the funny bunch of abbreviations in the service description on the bill, I got a information about chlamydia testing.

Ive never gotten anything like this before, but this was my first visit with a new doctor and my first gyn exam with new insurance. Is it common to do this kind of testing at annual exams? Maybe my new insurance covers it differently. Or might something shady be going on with the docor? The doctor never said anything about doing more than a regular pap smear. Oh, and the name of the doctor on the bill is not the doctor that I saw.

I didn't get real great vibes from that office, and I'm pg again, so I need to make up my mind about if I want to stick with this place or not.

[jennylou]

I've gotten that test each time that I'm pregnant as part of standard protocol.

[diam124]

Well, first about the bill - on my statements from insurance, the doctor is not the one who I actually saw - I'm sure it has something to do with how the practice is set up or something like that.

As for the test, the only thing that I've ever been tested for that I wasn't really told about (I asked if they tested for it) is HPV. That is now standard and included in the pap test at my doctor's office.

I was tested for chylamydia once before because I was having some non-specific symptoms and they ran that and gonorrhea to be on the safe side. I consented to that though because they had an extra fee that I had to pay (the pap was covered in the annual visit).

I would call and ask if it's standard procedure for new patients. It seems a little excessive to me, but I've been in a similar situation. My primary care dr. runs tons of tests the first time you see them (bloodwork, EKG, etc.). I was kind of leery of that because I wasn't sure what was covered under my insurance. My EKG was actually abnormal though, so I was glad that they did it so that I have a baseline if I ever have trouble in the future.

[Katie&Micah]

I got it along with some other std tests when I first go pregnant, but I've never had it done with a regular pap smear. Was this a pregnancy visit or just a regular pap smear before you knew you were pregnant?

[jesseybell]

I got the test when I was pg too.
I also had the test 2 times before by 2 different doctors - but they told me about it beforehand. They said they routinely like the run the test because often it goes undetected and can affect fertility.

[elladee]

Thanks for the responses. This was just a normal visit, before I was pg. I did tell her that we'd start TTCing the next month, though.

[mel7dog]

I know my Dr has a sign that says they automatically test for that an another STD with every pap.

[kindermom]

My GYN normally tests for all but HIV as part of standard practice of PAPs. My last GYN did not. Having a different docs name on the form is common for me as usually only one or two docs have authorization from my insurance company to see me but they are all part of the same practice.

I would have an issues, however, with the request for a separate copay for the testing unless lab tests as part of a standard treatment are considered a separate visit (like bloodwork to confirm pg and gd testing).

[MidwesternGal]

Most of the GYN's I've been to do some standard STD testing as routine. In fact, I'm surprised that some of you are saying that they don't!

As for labwork, if it has to be sent out somewhere (if your clinic doesn't have the facilities for it), sometimes insurance companies don't cover it as part of the office visit co-pay (I know ours doesn't). We don't pay another "co-pay" but whatever portion is not covered by the insurance company. I'd check with your insurer.