UniPath General Information For Patients"What the Pathologist thinks today, the physician does tomorrow."-Sir William Osler, M.D. Click here for UniPath's Women's Health Section>>What is a Pathologist? Pathology is the study of disease. Pathologists are specially trained medical doctors who have completed medical residency (and oftentimes further specialized training) in pathology. They dedicate most of their time to interpreting microscopic information from the body that might indicate the presence of diseases. Pathologists use microscopes to look at slides prepared from biopsies or other collections of cells, such as those that come from Pap tests. Many pathologists focus on general surgical pathology (examining specimens removed during major and minor surgeries) and some receive additional subspecialty training in a variety of areas, such as cytopathology, dermatopathology, gynecologic pathology, hematopathology, immunopathology, pediatric pathology, and medical microbiology. Pathologists also often own, oversee, maintain, and/or direct laboratories where tissues and cellular specimens are processed using technologically advanced equipment and highly trained laboratory personnel. Click here, to take a tour of UniPath’s laboratory. How does your physician work with pathologists?Pathologists are often called “the physician’s physician” by their colleagues in other types of practice, a tribute to the importance of the pathologist in patient care. Your physician speaks with a pathologist regarding critical health information including diagnosis of disease, indications of disease prognosis, additional testing that may be conducted, and potential therapeutic interventions. Good pathologists consider each and every specimen that they receive and evaluate as their patient…they are your physicians’ partners in patient care. This means that you have another doctor that you may never meet face-to-face. In short, pathologists often provide the information your physician needs to make a determination of how to care for you.
How Does UniPath Bill For Its Pathology Services?Most pathology services are covered under most insurance plans. Your physician will typically provide UniPath with your medical insurance information along with your specimen and request for whatever type of test your physician wants performed. UniPath will bill your insurance directly for the pathology services. If your insurance company denies the claim or any portion of it (for example, if you have a deductible that must be met, or if the test that your physician orders is not covered by your particular plan), you may then receive a bill from UniPath for anything that your plan does not cover. If you do not understand why you are receiving a bill from UniPath, the first step you can take is to contact UniPath’s billing company, Pathology Service Associates, at www.pathologybilling.com, or at 1.877.268.0407 to find out more information. You may also contact your insurance provider to receive an explanation of benefits. Health ResourcesGeneral Resource Information on all of the topics discussed, including medical dictionaries, encyclopedias, and research sites
The information contained on this page is meant for informational purposes only; it is not intended to be used as advice or in place of a consultation with your physician about your health care. Communication with your personal physician is the best way to seek advice and to make decisions about your health care. If you have any questions about this or any information you have read, please contact your physician. Links to external websites are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endorsement by UniPath, LLC. |