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Frequently Asked Billing Questions:
Why Did I Receive Two Bills for My Biopsy?
If you recently had a biopsy performed in our office, you may notice two separate charges or bills: one from Skin & Laser Dermatology and another from Annapath Laboratory. You may wonder if you were billed twice for the same service.
You were not.
A skin biopsy has two separate components, each performed by different medical professionals.
1. The Biopsy Procedure (Skin & Laser Dermatology)
Your dermatologist examines the lesion, numbs the area, removes the tissue sample, and provides the medical care associated with the procedure. This is the surgical portion of your biopsy.
2. The Pathology Examination (Annapath Laboratory and Skin & Laser Dermatology)
After your biopsy, the tissue specimen is sent to Annapath Laboratory, where it is processed, embedded, cut into thin sections, mounted on glass slides, and specially stained so it can be examined under a microscope.
The prepared slides are then interpreted by Skin & Laser Dermatology’s board-certified dermatopathologist, a physician with specialized fellowship training in diagnosing skin diseases. The dermatopathologist determines whether the lesion is benign, precancerous, or cancerous and provides the official pathology diagnosis.
Because laboratory specimen processing and physician interpretation are separate professional services, they appear as separate charges on your statement or insurance Explanation of Benefits.
Why In-House Dermatopathology Benefits You
At many dermatology offices, the biopsy specimen is sent to a large outside laboratory, such as Quest or Labcorp. At Skin & Laser Dermatology, the process is the same, except your biopsy is interpreted by our own team of board-certified dermatopathologists at Annapath Laboratory rather than being sent to a national commercial laboratory.
The services are the same, but keeping pathology within our organization provides several important benefits.
Faster results
Your specimen is processed by Annapath Laboratory and reviewed by Skin & Laser Dermatology’s dermatopathologist, streamlining the process and often providing results more quickly.
Direct physician collaboration
Your dermatologist and our board-certified dermatopathologist work closely together. When a case requires additional review or discussion, they can communicate directly to ensure the most accurate diagnosis and the best care plan.
Specialized expertise
Every biopsy is interpreted by our board-certified dermatopathologist, whose practice is dedicated exclusively to diseases of the skin.
Coordinated care
Your biopsy procedure, pathology interpretation, and follow-up care are coordinated within the same team, making communication more efficient and helping ensure continuity of care.
Insurance and Billing
Depending on your insurance plan, you may be responsible for a deductible, copayment, or coinsurance for one or both services. This is determined by your insurance benefits and is the same type of patient responsibility you would have if your biopsy had been interpreted by an outside laboratory.
Questions?
Our billing team is happy to review your statement with you and answer any questions. Please call 703-492-4140. We would much rather explain your bill than have you worry about it.