Provider Resources
MDL's Client Service Department will assist you with routine and stat inquiries regarding:
- Status of testing in progress
- Adding tests to existing orders
- Obtaining results including cytology and pathology reports
- Questions about specimen collection
- Unlisted tests
- Costs of testing
- All other general laboratory inquiries
We are also available to answer any questions you may have concerning our procedures, quality control, or proficiency testing. Technical questions will be routed to the appropriate departments and personnel including Pathologists, microbiologists, cytology staff, or lab management. We understand how valuable your time is and we strive to answer every call immediately.
Direct line to Client Service: 360 542-3260
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An MDL Account Manager will visit your practice regularly to offer support and be a resource for your office. We can train and assist your staff in areas of specimen collection, safety procedures, and technical support involving MDL samples and services.
Our staff can also work with your office to streamline the process of ordering tests and receiving reports by automating these steps. MDL offers electronic test ordering and reporting of results, as well as traditional ordering and reporting systems. We can match these capabilities to the needs of your practice and find a solution that works for you.
Quality Assurance and Laboratory Accreditation
By careful selection, training and supervision of a competent staff of technologists and technicians and a comprehensive and continuously reviewed quality assurance program, MDL provides precision and accuracy in its testing results. Day-to-day precision and accuracy is assured by internal and external quality control programs. MDL participates in proficiency testing programs provided by the College of American Pathologists. MDL is accredited or approved to provide laboratory services by the following organizations:
- College of American Pathologists (C.A.P.) # 7196499
- CLIA # 50D1058430
Privacy Policy and HIPAA
Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, Inc. is committed to comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Standards. MDL has implemented policies, processes and procedures designed to ensure compliance with these standards. Compliance to these standards are continuously monitored and audited for effectiveness. Workforce training is completed annually.
MDL complies with the security standards by ensuring that systems, policies and procedures meet or exceed all required and addressable implementation specifications. Internet and interface connectivity is encrypted and/or password protected and electronic access is limited to only those entities that have been authorized. Additionally, MDL uses secure file transfer methods for communicating protected health information (PHI) and sensitive business communications with our clients. Clients wishing to establish electronic ordering and/or reporting communications with MDL and affiliated companies should contact our Information Services department at 360 542-3232
For HIPAA Compliance, contact: Ms. Jarmiolowski (360) 542-8404
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Reporting Test Results to the Washington State Department of Health
Washington State Law (WAC 246-100,101) requires all laboratories to report results used to monitor or diagnose sexually transmitted diseases and specific infectious diseases and exposures. The requirements affect the following tests: Blood Lead, Botulism, Brucelosis, CD4 counts, Chlamydia trachomatis, Cholera, Cryptosporidiosis, Cyclosporiasis, Diptheria, Bioterrorism-like diseases, (Anthrax, Smallpox,), Enterohemorrhagic (E.coli 0157:H7), Gonorrhea, Hepatitis A (IgM), HIV Western Blot, P24 Antigen or viral culture tests for HIV, HIV Nucleic acid tests (RNA, DNA), Listeriosis, Measles, Meningococcal disease, Pertussis, Plague, Rabies, Salmonellosis, Shigellosis, Syphilis, Tuberculosis, and other rare diseases that the Department of Health might request. Most tests must be reported within 2 days of completion of testing. There is a separate list of diseases that physicians are required to report available through the Washington State Department of Health.
Patient's Rights to Laboratory Results
The "Uniform Health Care Information Act" as part of Washington State Law, allows laboratories to provide a report to a patient after receipt of written request from the patient. We will inform the ordering physician of the request and will send the report within 14 days. No interpretations are provided, and for this reason we encourage patients to request lab results directly from their health care providers.
Verbal Order Policy
Verbal orders called in to MDL will be added to existing samples whenever possible. We are required to obtain written authorization and we have created a form to properly document the new orders. Preprinted forms available from MDL will require the following information:
- Date
- Patient Name/DOB
- Test to be added
- Diagnosis code (ICD-9) for new test
- Signature, date, and printed name of authorized staff
We will always perform the testing immediately but will need the written confirmation in order to complete the billing process.
Material Safety Data Sheets
MDL will provide Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for all hazardous chemicals we supply to our clients. These sheets are required to be available to your employees at all times within your Hazard Communication Program. We will enclose the appropriate MSDS with initial orders of hazardous supplies. If additional MSDS are needed, please contact your MDL customer service representative.
Laboratory Supplies
MDL supplies the collection and transport containers for specimens that are to be tested at our laboratory. We will deliver supplies within 24-48 hours of your order and we recommend using our fax order sheet. Preprinted forms are provided for each client, and this form, faxed to our supply department at (360) 424-6326 will ensure the fastest service. An example of our supply form is included in this manual. Please call customer service for any stat orders of questions about supplies.
General Billing Policies
MDL will bill as instructed by the client on the laboratory request form. The ordering health care provider must be indicated on all orders, as well as the date and time of collection . Billing options on the request form are:
- Patient Bill Bills sent to patients require the full name, gender, DOB, address, phone number, and a responsible party name if not the patient. Also include any applicable ICD-9 codes.
- Insurance Bill Bills sent to private insurance require complete patient demographics (Name, gender, DOB, address, ICD-9) as well as complete insurance information (Subscriber name, Subscriber ID, Group #, Insurance name and address, Employer).
- Medicare Bill Medicare claims require the same patient demographics as well as the Medicare # and ICD-9 codes. Medicare's limited coverage policies require laboratories to obtain an Advance Beneficiary Notice (ABN) as applicable. Please refer to the section on Medicare Coverage for our comprehensive Medicare policies.
- Medicaid (DSHS) Bill DSHS requires complete patient demographics and the patient's current Medicaid (PIC) number.
- Client Bill To bill the ordering provider at the clinic address the information needed includes patient name or ID, gender, and DOB.
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MDL requisitions can be customized to fit your individual needs. Information that we can preprint onto the requisition includes:
- Clinic name and individual provider names and account numbers
- Frequently ordered tests
- Customized test profiles authorized by the providers
- Frequently used ICD-9 codes as authorized by the provider
- Instructions for additional reports, faxes, or call backs
Additionally, the list of tests printed on the requisition can be completely formatted by your office to include only those tests that pertain to your practice. Please refer to the examples included for requisitions and the authorizations for custom profile and ICD-9 code formatting.
- Minimum information required for Patient billing
Information above plus:
Address
Responsible Party
Phone Number
- Minimum information required for Insurance billing
Information above plus:
Insurance company name
Subscriber ID
Group Number
Employer
- Minimum information required for Medicare billing
Information from #1 above plus:
Patient's Medicare (HIC) number
Completed aABN if required
- Minimum information required for client billing includes:
Name or other ID of patient
DOB/Age
Sex
SSN
Always provide an ICD-9 code(s) to the highest specificity for each test ordered.
Test Directory
