A. YES!   In this case it's a good idea to FAX your physician a short letter about your health concerns. It's possible that s/he will order the tests for you before your office visit. This will save you time and money.

The CPTwomen has outline the following examples on how your letter might read. Your letter, once faxed/sent to your doctor,  will become part of your medical file/history. It will always be on record that you requested that these tests be ran for you.

Faxing your request is very easy. Call your doctors office and ask the receptionist the office fax # .  Also find out were you would need to go to have blood drawn. (at their office or someplace else?)

You could tell them at that time on the phone that you want blood work ordered and that you will be "faxing" over your request.

If your physician asks that you come in person to talk with them before hand, tell them that you rather come in and talk AFTER the blood work comes back .  Then FAX your request!

Your letter might read something like this...

***** EXAMPLE FAX #1 *****

Dear Dr. ___________,

I believe that I might have a hormone imbalance. My symptoms are.......

(list your symptoms....)

I would like to have the following blood work ordered for me. (list tests)

I will be in the area on _____ and would like to stop in and have the blood drawn on that day.

I will call on ______ to confirm that these tests were ordered for me....

Please file a copy of this fax/letter with my medical file.

Sincerely, Jane Doe

***************************************

If the doctor says that he MUST see you in his office before ordering any tests you might write your fax the following way....Send a 2nd FAX if required. 

***** EXAMPLE FAX #2 *****

Dear Dr. ___________,

(As I stated in my first fax to you) or (As I stated on the phone to your nurse)   I believe that I have a hormone imbalance.  My symptoms are.......

(list your symptoms....)

I would like to have the following blood work ordered for me. (list tests)

I understand that you would like to see me in your office before you order any tests. I believe my symptoms merit ordering these tests, and would prefer to have them ordered now and done before my office visit with you so we can at that time discuss the results.

I'm a very busy mom and having my labs done now before my office visit with you would be saving me time and would also be saving me/my insurance company money because I'll be charged for one visit instead of two.

If you will not order these tests with out first seeing me, then I'm requesting that my follow-up visit with you after these tests are ran to be waived so I'm charged for only one office visit.

I understand that if I do have a hormonal imbalance that hormone replacement therapy may be prescribed. I will not consider any type of treatment until I have my levels checked.

As it stands right now, since I was told that I must see you first, I made an appointment to see you in your office on ________.

I will however be in the area on ________ and would like to have my blood drawn at that time. That way when I see you on ________ we can  discuss the results.

I believe that the cost of these tests will be covered by my insurance company if ordered by you.  I will call to find out.  Regardless, if these tests are not covered by my insurance company then I will pay for them myself.   I have a right to this information and will not consider any type of treatment without it.

I prefer that the tests be ordered for me before my office visit with you.

Please file a copy of this fax/letter with my medical file.

I'll be looking forward to your reply.

Sincerely, Jane Doe