Dr.O: Hellllp.............

[Guest guest]

Dear members.

I try to complete a clinical study which suggests an other treatment

algorithyme other than the one which is dictated by ATA (am. thyroid

assoc.). I hope it may help more patients but it may increase the

cost per patient. So you can guess the result:I need to fight

insurers. Infact, I'd like to send my article to an European journal.

But I may keep the content larger to cover applications in your

country too. But I need to learn/refer the costs of many tests:

1) The cost of a neck USG (classical one or DOPPLER),

2) Thyroid scintigraphy with pertechnetate (TcO4),

3) USG guided fine needle aspiration biopsy (including the report by

patholog)

4) FT3, FT4, TSH, TPOAb, TgAb (seperately).

But I'm sure many opportunist american colleagues may try to refuse

this new algorithyme because of the cost-effectivity. So I need

strong references. You know, costs can be within a range in the

country. But many formal institutes, companies (like Medicare) may

have standards in all over the USA. Can you understand my hesitance?

Help me to fight them without any gap. Is there any standards of

Medicare or government? Can you prove/document it by formal

references in websites? Some of you didn't believe me if I'm a Dr or

not. So, now, you have to prove your posts too,lol.

Thanks...

[Guest guest]

>

> Dear members.

> I try to complete a clinical study which suggests an other

treatment

> algorithyme other than the one which is dictated by ATA (am.

thyroid

> assoc.). I hope it may help more patients but it may increase the

> cost per patient. So you can guess the result:I need to fight

> insurers. Infact, I'd like to send my article to an European

journal.

> But I may keep the content larger to cover applications in your

> country too. But I need to learn/refer the costs of many tests:

> 1) The cost of a neck USG (classical one or DOPPLER),

> 2) Thyroid scintigraphy with pertechnetate (TcO4),

> 3) USG guided fine needle aspiration biopsy (including the report

by

> patholog)

> 4) FT3, FT4, TSH, TPOAb, TgAb (seperately).

> But I'm sure many opportunist american colleagues may try to

refuse

> this new algorithyme because of the cost-effectivity. So I need

> strong references. You know, costs can be within a range in the

> country. But many formal institutes, companies (like Medicare) may

> have standards in all over the USA. Can you understand my

hesitance?

> Help me to fight them without any gap. Is there any standards of

> Medicare or government? Can you prove/document it by formal

> references in websites? Some of you didn't believe me if I'm a Dr

or

> not. So, now, you have to prove your posts too,lol.

> Thanks...

>

I would check out some other countries other than the US, I am in

Canada and our medical system is run by the government.

For me anyways on labs..it states that the FT4 and FT3 must be

substituted for any other T4 and T3 tests unless a specific reason

is given.. so in other words I have to fight if I do not want a FT4

or FT3 test done..

Unfortunately they also have guidelines with a TSH in normal range

to drop all other tests unless a diagnosis is given to require them.

I know in England the system is similiar to which tests they pay

for , which ones they do not etc.. and $$$$ plus cost effectiveness

are usually the reasons why..

http://www.bcbio.com/ this is the link to the lab I use..if you

look under the lab profiles it will explain the rules on the labs.

You need to look at the England health care sites and I believe

Poland, Sweden and a few others..they should have the links and

study's to prove why each test should be run.

Kats3boys