Reflex Testing

The Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center Laboratory recommends and is submitting for your input and approval, this list of new and current reflex testing performed in the laboratory. This list is effective Aug. 1.

As part of the Office of Inspector General’s Compliance Program Guidance for Clinical Laboratories, the laboratory must notify medical staff physicians annually of reflex testing being performed and the criteria for reflex. In addition, we are required to remind you of the Medicare medical necessity requirements for initial and reflex testing.

Reflex testing:  testing which is performed based on an INITIAL test result(s) which is used to further identify significant diagnostic information required for appropriate patient care. These tests will be performed when the initial result meets the test criteria for reflex testing.

The physician must understand that these specific tests will automatically be performed, reported and billed, if indicated by the initial result. In some cases, the option is also available to order an initial test without the reflex test. The physician must further understand that the test ordered and the reflexed test should be medically necessary for that particular patient.

If you have any questions, please contact Thomas Ruhlen, MD, at Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center at 623-876-5338.