Will Health Insurance Cover Blood Tests?

Just because you have health insurance, don’t assume that all of your medical expenses will be covered. Unfortunately, however, many people do make this assumption and end up learning the hard way that a procedure they needed to have done or a test that was ordered wasn’t covered when they receive an astronomical bill in the mail.

No insurance policy will cover every type of medical procedure, surgery, testing, prescription medications, and preventative care. However, some policies do cover more than others. Since blood tests are so commonly ordered, it begs the question: will your health insurance provider cover a blood test?

Health Insurance and Blood Tests

Many health insurance companies and policies will cover the cost of various types of lab tests, including blood work; however, there are also several insurers that will deny claims for even the most basic procedures – again, including blood tests. Therefore, before you have any test done, particularly if that test is not considered to be medically necessary, it’s crucial that you check with your health insurance provider to see if they will cover the cost.

When are Blood Tests Covered by Health Insurance?

health insurance blood testGenerally speaking, many health insurance plans will cover the cost of blood work if the testing is deemed medically necessary. For example, if your doctor has ordered a test to assess your white blood cell count because you are exhibiting signs of a certain illness, you may be able to file a claim, as the blood work is necessary. Similarly, if you are pregnant and you need to have a prenatal blood glucose testing done to check for sings of gestational diabetes, a condition that could be a precursor to preeclampsia, a potentially life-threatening condition, your insurance may cover at least a portion of your blood tests.

However, it is important to note that even if blood testing is an expense that is covered by your health insurance, your deductible may be a factor that comes into play. If your deductible – the amount for your healthcare treatment that you are required to pay before you insurance will become effective – isn’t met before you file a claim for your blood work, you may have to pay the entire cost of the procedure until the deductible is paid. Even in the event that your policy does cover blood testing and you have reached your deductible, you still may be required to pay some expenses for the procedure; a co-pay, for example.

Finding a Health Insurance Plan that Will Cover Blood Tests

Blood tests can be used to diagnose a variety of medical conditions. From cancer to gestational diabetes, and from HIV to diabetes, medical professionals can learn a lot from your blood. By collecting and assessing a sample of your blood, your doctor may be able to accurately identify an ailment, even if you signs and symptoms haven’t presented.

Since blood tests are so frequently ordered and are used to diagnose such a wide range of conditions, finding an insurance plan that will cover at least a portion of the cost of this type of testing is important. Without medical insurance, the cost of blood work can be quite exorbitant; even basic tests can run hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. Having a policy that offers coverage for blood work can help to save you a substantial amount of money.

Before you enroll in a healthcare plan, make sure you fully read and understand the details of the policy you are considering. If you have questions, you can contact a representative from the health insurance company; better yet, you can speak to an insurance agent that specializes in health care coverage. Together, you and a reputable insurance agent will be able to determine exactly what type of coverage will be in your best interest based on your individual needs. For example, an experience agent can direct you toward a policy that will cover the medical treatments you need at a price that you can afford. Additionally, a professional can help you find the answers to any questions that you may have.

The Bottom Line

Having a firm understanding of what your health insurance will cover is crucial; after all, the last thing you want is to receive a massive medical bill after having a blood test done that you thought was covered by your health insurance plan, but in reality, it wasn’t. To find out as  much information as you can about the different health care plans that are available and for help finding a policy that will cover blood testing, reach out to an experienced and highly knowledgeable insurance agent.

When in doubt, you can always contact an insurance company directly to find out exactly what your policy or a policy that you are interested in purchasing will cover – including blood work.

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