Pathology Support Services | Insurance Companies

Of all the entities that should be beating the drum for more autopsies it is the Insurance Industry. Studies have shown that there are approximately 40% serious errors in the diagnosis of hospitalized patients who die and are autopsied, and two thirds of the undiagnosed conditions were considered treatable.1

If insurance companies are making assumption based on the causes of death on death certificates and almost half the death certificates are incorrect how good can those assumptions be. Who would put any value in a poll if the small print stated margin for error + or – 40%.PSS can help. Contact us , we will show you how.

Complete Autopsy –$2,800.00-$6,000.00 (includes travel) This includes a gross description of all organ systems and microscopic examination by a board certified pathologist, diagnosis and cause of death if different than that stated on the death certificate. A comprehensive report with a case summary in non-medical terms will be completed in approximately forty-five working days.

Neuropathology Consult – add $1,500.00 This includes the above plus a detailed examination of the brain by a board certified neuropathologist. This examination is only needed if there are questions regarding the mental or neurological status of the individual, such as seizure disorder or dementia. This increases the report completion time to approximately ninety working days.

Toxicology – add $400.00
This includes the examination of blood and urine for specific prescription drugs.
Toxicology is normally not needed. This increases the report completion time to approximately ninety working days.

Brain only Autopsy – $2,800.00 – $5,000.00 (includes travel)
This is an acceptable choice if the only questions involve the mental status of the individual, such as the type of dementia involved. This examination includes a detailed description of the brain with diagnosis and clinicopathological correlation by a board certified neuropathologist. A comprehensive report will be completed in approximately ninety working days.

Tissue collection and partial autopsies for toxic tort cases are time driven. Technician's time is billed at $200.00/hour, plus expenses, with a $800.00, plus expenses, minimum and $1,600.00/a day, plus expenses, maximum. Pathologist time for case review is billed at $350.00/hour plus expenses (two hour minimum) civil court testimony is billed at $450.00/hour (two hour minimum). Depositions are billed at $300.00/hour (two hour minimum).

The above prices are as of July1, 2008 and may be subject to change without notice. Please call for confirmation.

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1Lundberg, GD. Low-Tech Autopsies in the Era of High Tech Medicine, Continued Value for Quality Assurance and Patient Safety. JAMA. Oct 1998;080:1273This page currently under contruction This page currently under contruction This page currently under contruction This page currently under contructio

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