Will insurance cover std test?

Question

BCBS of AL, PPO.

Say under exclusions:

Routine services, such as periodic physical examinations; screening examinations; immunizations; and services or tests not related to a specific diagnosis, illness, injury, set of symptoms, or maternity care, except for those preventive services specifically covered under Preventive care, adult and child in Sections 5(a) and 5(c) and screenings specifically listed on pages 31-33;

Section 5(a) preventive care (I'm excluding the one's that are obviously not related to std's):

History and risk assessment

• Urinalysis

• General health panel

• Basic or comprehensive metabolic panel test

• Chlamydial infection test

• Cervical cancer tests (including Pap tests)

Nothing relating to std tests in section 5c.

Pages 31-33 is section 5a

I'm not seeing anything in policy about std testing. Is it usually covered? I have good coverage through the government.

Also, should I go to the gyno or family dr for a std test?

Answer 1

well, i work for BS of CA, so :) i will answer this for you as it would be here in CA.. with the majority of the plans we offer, an STD test will be covered against your laboratory/pathology benefits ONLY. like noted above, a urinalysis is generally the only lab work that is covered at the time of your physical (also your pap) without incurring extra costs/deductible.

now, i am assuming you are on a PPO, because HMO verbiage does not usually look like what you pasted.. with a PPO, make sure you are going somewhere that is contracted so that you are getting a discounted rate. with that said, you will not be required to pay anything but your copay up front. do not pay ANYTHING else (deductible) up front. it is against the provider's contract to charge you anything but the copay. what i am getting at.. you will have time to come up with your deductible money if need be, and might even be able to set up a payment plan after you get your Explanation of Benefits in the mail.

Answer 2

call before you go...

Answer 3

Hang out at the free clinic and no one will know that you were their except if you take your blabber mouth girl friends with you...  FREE  FREE ...

I guess you typed the list so fast that the chlamydial infection test is on the policy.  (STD)  (CLAP)

Answer 4

It's usually covered.  You'll have to call the number on the back of your card and check.  The thing is, you don't say if the exclusion section says, "except" before those things you listed.