Understanding Cornell Managed Care Plan: Navigating CAT Scan Costs & Radiology Services

Cornell University provides its students, faculty, and staff with access to a wide range of healthcare services, including comprehensive lab testing and radiology. Through a strategic partnership with Labcorp, Cornell Health enhances its on-site services, ensuring the community has convenient access to essential medical diagnostics. This collaboration is particularly relevant when considering procedures like CAT scans and understanding the associated costs within the framework of a managed care plan.

Cornell Health, located centrally on campus, now hosts a Labcorp facility, accessible through the main building or a dedicated side entrance on Campus Road. This integration streamlines the process for individuals needing lab work, and extends to radiology services, though the original article primarily discusses X-rays on-site. For more advanced imaging, such as CAT scans, understanding how your Cornell managed care plan interacts with these services is crucial.

Accessing routine point-of-care lab tests for common illnesses like flu, strep, or UTIs is readily available through Cornell Health’s medical team for students. These tests are typically handled during scheduled appointments. For students with the Student Health Fee, point-of-care lab tests are billed to insurance, with the out-of-pocket cost usually covered by the standard appointment charge. Pregnancy tests are a notable exception, offered at no cost to students and not billed to insurance.

However, when considering more complex diagnostic imaging like a CAT scan, the process and cost structure can be different. While Cornell Health offers on-site X-ray services, CAT scans, being more specialized, might involve referrals to external providers or be facilitated through Labcorp’s broader network. This is where understanding your Cornell managed care plan becomes essential to navigate potential CAT scan costs.

Labcorp at Cornell Health extends its services beyond point-of-care testing, offering a comprehensive suite of lab tests to students, staff, and faculty. This partnership is vital for students needing lab work beyond the basic tests offered directly by Cornell Health. While the original article details X-ray services within Cornell Health Radiology Department, it’s important to clarify that CAT scans, although part of radiology, may fall under different arrangements depending on the specific need and Cornell managed care plan.

For students, staff, and faculty needing lab services through Labcorp, appointments are recommended to avoid wait times. It’s imperative to bring your insurance card to your Labcorp appointment; for those with the Student Health Plan, digital insurance cards are easily accessible. If a non-Cornell Health provider ordered your lab work, a printed requisition is necessary, or it can be faxed to Labcorp directly.

Regarding costs associated with Labcorp services, including potential preliminary steps for CAT scans if referred through Labcorp, it’s important to note the billing process. While STI tests are free for students with the Student Health Fee, other Labcorp tests are billed to your insurance. You will be responsible for your insurance plan’s cost share, such as copays, coinsurance, or deductibles, payable at the time of service. Labcorp does not offer Bursar billing. Without insurance information, you will be responsible for the full cost of services.

The original article details X-ray service costs, clarifying that for students on the Ithaca/Geneva campuses, the cost is billed to insurance without additional out-of-pocket expenses. However, for CAT scans, costs can vary based on your specific Cornell managed care plan, referral pathways, and whether the service is performed on-site (if Cornell Health expands to offer CAT scans in the future) or externally.

To understand the potential price of a CAT scan under your Cornell managed care plan, direct consultation with Labcorp’s billing department or Cornell Health’s insurance and billing services is recommended. Labcorp’s customer service can be reached at 1-800-845-6167 for billing inquiries. For radiology services and referrals, contacting Cornell Health directly at 607-255-6207 is advisable.

In summary, while Cornell Health and Labcorp enhance healthcare access for the Cornell community, understanding the specifics of your Cornell managed care plan is crucial, especially when considering procedures like CAT scans. While on-site X-ray services are available and point-of-care lab tests are streamlined, CAT scan costs and accessibility will depend on insurance coverage, referral processes, and whether the service is provided within Cornell Health or through external partners like Labcorp. Always verify coverage and potential out-of-pocket costs directly with Labcorp or Cornell Health billing services to navigate healthcare expenses effectively.

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