I also have the option to ask the lab to generate a letter with the results, along with a sheet explaining the results, and then I put it into a window envelope myself. Sometimes people call and get their results. And when it comes to mammograms, of course, the report is automatically sent out. Of course, this is a long way from beloved pre-capitation TV doc Marcus Welby, who used to drive to patients' homes and scold them if they missed a test or appointment. One might conclude that today's physicians feel follow-ups are the patient's responsibility.
Mammograms are one area of patient testing that has specifically interested the government.
Along with depression, chronic pain and other areas, mammography has been the subject of specific guidelines from the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, and the mammography guidelines address patient notification. According to their spokespersons, HCFA and NCQA assume that a system is in place and is being followed, without emphasis on the specifics. Several managed care organizations, HMO and PPO alike, report that handling of test results is left to the physician's discretion. Apparently, mandatory systems usually are not handed down from on high. In that case, we might help physicians set up a test-results system.