In the past laboratories have offered free testing to doctors, residents of halfway and sober houses and treatment programs without any explanation of how this was being done and whether or not the practice was legally sound. This "blanket" testing has often been viewed as needed services donated to an underserved population and viewed in this light, the practice seems well and good. Unfortunately, there is a difference between what we may all agree is beneficial, and how the Medicare code and federal law view the practice. At Precision, we do not claim to be legal experts, nor do we offer legal advice. We strongly urge those who have become involved in free testing schemes to seek legal advice from qualified parties. However, we have a strong commitment to serving the population of people in recovey from drug/alcohol addiction and we believe this must include an educational component as well. Below are the practices we follow in regard to testing and specifically our opinions and conclusions as to the practice of offering widespread, free testing.
Our understanding of the federal anti-kickback statute is that any valuable consideration such as free testing or money which is given in order to induce a person in a position to refer services which are reimbursed by the government constitutes a kickback. Conviction for this crime is punishable by huge fines and up to five years in prison. BOTH parties involved in the transaction are potentially liable to prosecution. In our opinion the practive of testing an entire population in order to receive compensation from those with insurance coverage constitutes criminal behavior under the existing laws and we will never be part of this type of arrangement.
Testing the population of persons in recovery has become a controversial topic for many reasons. A cancer patient, for instance, may and should receive all testing and services to which he or she is entitle under an insurance program. For some reason, however, testing for the addict in early recovery is often viewed as 'wasteful' of medical resources. At Precision, we know that testing is an essential part of early, medically monitored recovery. We know the power of the addiction those in recovery face every monent of the day. And we know the opposing power which can come from responsible treatment and supportive fellowship. Frequent, unavoidable testing is an effective weapon in the recovery arsenal. It provides clear limits and boundaries which are very beneficial to combating a disease which constantly urges relapse and convinces an addict to try and get away with just one littl dose. Among care givers and facilitators in the recovery community, testing is rightly viewed as an indispensable tool in the struggle aginst active addiction. Those involved in helping addicts know that using all the tools in the recovery toolbox is a far more economical approach in the long run. To skimp on treatment in early recovery is to invite relapse and all of the misery and also ruinous medical costs which often result from untreated addiction.
Clinical testing is available to addicts in recovery, but ONLY if properly prescribed by a physician pursuant to an appropriate medical diagnosis. When it comes to Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement, ONLY a physician's order is acceptable. No counselor, administrator, probation office or even judge can order testing from a clinical lab which bills Medicare/Medicaid. Every person in recovery must have a written order from a doctor in order for a lab to perform the needed clinical testing and submit proper billing. To bill without this order is against the rules of Medicare/Medicaid and can result in fines or worse. It is a form of insurance fraud.
So what is the solution? If blanket testing of recovery populations never was an appropriate solution and is not now allowed, where does that leave people in recovery who need to be tested? The solution lies in a new paradigm of testing pioneered by Precision Testing Labs. Any and all persons with health insurance who have been diagnosed with a condition for which drug testing is appropriate (such as drug addiction) and whose physician has written an order for testing may receive clinical drug testing from Precision Testing Labs. Those persons without insurance or who have not sought medical treatment including a doctor's order to be tested may NOT receive clinical testing from Precision and should not be receiving it fom any other responsible lab. In order to receive clinical drug testing covered by insurance such as Medicaid, the patient MUST have a doctor's order and an appropriate diagnosis. For all others, alternative testing by means of the 'quick cup' or dip strip methods is a possible alternative. Precision Testing Labs does not provide this type of testing, but can refer to reliable sources of quality instant tests. Of course, such tests cannot provide detail beyond indicating either 'positive' or 'negative' for each substance included in the test. They also cannot provide the care giver with a picture of increasing or decreasing levels over time. These are the limitations on testing which must be accepted if programs are to test entire populations while avoiding complicity in or the accusation of fraud. Of course, people in recovery who comply with state law by obtaining insurance are then in a position to seek medical care, discuss their condition with a physician and, if the doctor writes orders for drug testing pursuant to an appropriate diagnosis, receive clinical testing from Precision or any other testing laboratory.
Now the good news! Precision Testing Labs is dedicated to providing needed testing to people in recovery. For those with proper orders, Precision's professional collectors will come to their residence or other desired location on a regular schedule and provide high quality service and fast results. Our lab staff is available to answer any questions the patient, his/her physician or any other person authorized by the patient may have. We will refer facility administrators to reputable sources for instant tests, where needed, and provide the highest level of care and commitment to all who seek our services. We are Massachusetts' recovery-oriented laboratory and we look forward to helping all who need and seek our services.
