Who is responsible for billing when a specimen is sent to an outside facility for testing?

In the context of laboratory testing, when a specimen is sent to an outside facility for testing, the laboratory that performs the test is typically responsible for the billing process. This includes generating the appropriate charges based on the services provided and submitting claims to the patient's insurance for reimbursement.

The laboratory captures all relevant information regarding the procedures performed and ensures that the coding accurately reflects the tests done on the specimen. As the entity that has direct access to the results and performs the analysis, the lab is positioned to handle the billing associated with those services.

This arrangement allows for efficient billing practices and helps maintain proper communication between the lab, the healthcare provider, and the insurance payer. Other parties, like the physician, patient, or insurance company, have distinct roles but do not directly manage the billing for tests performed by outside facilities.