As an employer and provider of medical services, Boyce and Bynum Pathology Laboratories (BBPL) is cognizant of and concerned about these trends.

BBPL, a fully accredited medical laboratory doing business in Missouri and surrounding states since 1965, has developed a program to address the rising cost of providing medical coverage to your staff.

Medical laboratory testing data is critical to 70% of all medical decisions and determinations. Although laboratory testing services represent only 5% of total medical expenditures, significant cost savings are possible under a program developed by BBPL.

BBPL's Preferred Patient Program is a voluntary, consumer-driven program designed to provide high quality outpatient medical laboratory testing at sharply discounted prices (discounts up to 70%). Since the program is voluntary, no contractual agreement between your company and BBPL is required. The program has significant benefit for individuals with Health Savings Accounts, high deductibles or no health plan coverage at all.

How does the Preferred Patient Program work?

When your insured's physician decides that laboratory testing is needed, the employee would need to inform his physician that a special discount program is available requiring that the laboratory specimen be collected at a designated BBPL Patient Service Center. The employee would need to ask the physician for a written order for the laboratory testing. The written order can be in the form of a prescription pad, BBPL requisition or another laboratory?s requisition. The physician?s order should list the specific tests to be performed and include the physician's office phone number, fax number, and address. BBPL will perform the testing and deliver the results to the physician?s office via courier or fax (usually within 24 hours).

The employee will need to report to one of the BBPL designated Patient Service Centers between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Calling ahead to schedule the laboratory draw is helpful but not mandatory. The employee would need to request participation under the Preferred Patient Program and present the physician?s order to the BBPL staff. The BBPL staff will determine the discounted price and request payment. The employee will be given a detailed receipt and a universal insurance form marked PAID. If the employee desires, he (she) may use this form to file their own medical claim and receive credit towards their annual plan deductible.

What types of laboratory testing are included in this program?

The program covers most diagnostic outpatient laboratory services to include:

• Blood testing (e.g. cholesterol, lipid tests)
• Urine testing (e.g. urinalysis)
• Cytology testing (e.g. PAP smears collected by the physician's office)
• Cultures (e.g. throat cultures)

What types of laboratory testing are NOT included in this program?

The preferred patient program does not cover all lab work. Excluded services include:

• Laboratory testing ordered during hospitalization.
• Laboratory testing ordered on an emergency (STAT) basis.

How can I locate the nearest Patient Service Center supporting the Preferred Patient Program?

You can use our Service Center Locator, or call our client services department at 1-800-786-4602 for PCS locations or any questions you may have regarding this program.