IS AUREON CLOSED FOR GOOD?

Quote
I too received a notice from Universal Fidelity requesting payment in the amount of $3200 for lab work that was performed almost 18 months from the last time I saw Dr Goldfarb. In fact I did not receive my prostate cancer treatment from Goldfarb. I was able to contact Universal but was advised I needed to check with my doctor and/or insurance company about charges. I told them that Blue Cross denied the entire claim. I then tried to call Goldfarb's office but they were already closed.
 






HOLDEN McGroin said:
You should be ashamed for sending your speicimens to a fly by night crappy operation like them. You probably did it to make more money for your practice rather than use reputable local laboratories. Have fun with this mess! Doubt you learned any lesson though.
Click to expand...

Physicians do not profit AT ALL for ordering the Aureon test- if anything it cost them Because of the time and effort to order it. Also, Aureon was in business for 11 years and would not be considered a fly by night operation. Physicians order this type of test to get the most information possible about their patients cancer and how to proceed with the best treatment possible. GET AN EDUCATION before you pass judgement about something. Aureon and all of their employees were most concerned about a patients OUTCOME. There are employees who lost their jobs, insurance and potential income when Aureon closed its doors and who are now taking time and effort away from their new jobs to help fix this situation. They aren't getting a dime, and neither do the Drs.
 






Yea I bet. We all know how the lab industry works. Inducements, kickbacks to order a bunch of tests that may or may not be of any use. Pump people full of fear and make as much money as you can.

Best treatment possible, give me a break. Did your test discourage or encourage more radiation treatments if the urologists could profit by doing IMRT? Did the urologists even care?
 






Anonymous said:
Yea I bet. We all know how the lab industry works. Inducements, kickbacks to order a bunch of tests that may or may not be of any use. Pump people full of fear and make as much money as you can.

Best treatment possible, give me a break. Did your test discourage or encourage more radiation treatments if the urologists could profit by doing IMRT? Did the urologists even care?
Click to expand...

First of all, kickbacks are illegal. You have clearly let a few bad apples (physicians only recommending treatment to profit) from the majority of physicians who do make decisions that are best for the patient. There is no point in me arguing with you, as you have clearly no desire to learn the reality behind this situation and are just going to pass judgement.

However, I would like to state FOR THE RECORD:
1. no physician received any financial benefit from utilizing Aureon technology.
2. MOST physicians utilized the technology to prevent over- treatment and avoid unnecessary side effects for patients.
3. The information given is never intended to scare people, it is provided to allow people to make the most informed decision regarding their cancer treatment.
4. There are multiple publications, validation studies and articles stating the value that Aureon's technology was not only valid but helpful. World renown physicians utilized Aureon's technology as did many teaching institutions.

This is not a fly-by-night lab that worked in crappy no name offices to take advantage of patients. Doctors believe in this technology and understand it is the future of prostate cancer care. I feel sorry that you have such a negative view of healthcare and physicians. They are not all that way.
 






To those who defend Aureon Labs: regardless of the utility of the test, Medicare and major insurance plans (notably Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Cigna, etc.) regarded the test as "experimental" and refused to reimburse for it. Physicians and other providers who ordered this test were not aware (because of misleading information by high pressure Aureon salesmen) that the tests will not get reimbursed and consequently did not inform patients of this before ordering ( as they should have, for instance, in the case of Medicare with an "Ädvance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage" - ABN - form). Aureon did not bill the unsuspecting patients but carried the bills as "unpaid" on their books until they went out of business. (After running through 40 million dollars of venture capital). Universal Fidelity then was assigned to recover these "debts"as part of the assets of the defunct Aureon business.
Altogether very shady business and on the whole probably illegal. Universal Fidelity is doubtless aware of all the facts, but will play on peoples fears of damaged credit to rake in whatever they can.
 






I received an statement from Universal Fidelity collection agency for $1002, so i called & left a massage, they never called me back, Today i talked to them & they just want the money. I told them that AUREON closed the business, But they lied to me & told me that they are still in business, But they don't work with public any more. I had to hung up on them.
 






OMG, a whole 11 years in business. That makes them much more reputable. LOL

It was a dumb business model and I hope no patients were hurt from their stupid testing. I'd sure hate to be making a decision on an "experimental" test that probably was barely validated. Home brewed tests are rarely validated well in my opinion. The FDA should put a stop to this crap. Hopefully the insurance companies will. Looks like they did in this case.

good riddance
 






After biopsy my Physician ordered the usual tests for prostate cancer spread, namely the whole body scan, CAT scan of pelvis and X-ray of spine and ribs, wich turned out negative at which point he recomended treatment: targeted radiation followed by HDR Brachytherapy. He ordered, without telling me, the Aureon test AFTER I had started the recomended treatment. Obviouly he did not need the test for diagnosis. Now I am stuck with an unexpected $2000 bill from Universal Fidelity. Ironically, if my physician had asked me whether I would foot such a charge befre ordering the test, i would probably, not knowing then what I know now, agreed. But now over a year later I resent the surprise.
 






I also recieved a bill for more than $2600 for a claim that Aetna shows has been paid. I think all of our concern should be that Universal Fidelity is billing clients for work paid from records of a lab that is no longer in business which clearly tells me that they have all of our medical records as well. I have reported them to the AG office and I am looking into local assistance. I am guessing there are allot of other folks out there, cancer patients or thier serviving partners, that are getting hit up for things thier insurance has already paid. Scam business.
 






Bottom line...for out-of-network patients, that did not authorize this test or the test being sent to an out-of-network lab...who is responsible for the bill, received by Universal Fidelity collection agency, representing the new owners of Aureon Labs? And...for in-network patients, that did not authorize this test, and are now being billed for the balance of the unpaid portion of the bill received from Universal Fidelity collection agency?
 






My husband & I also received a collection letter last week from this collection agency for $2,700.00. I have found the EOB from UHC and it was denied based on Aureon would not provide a detailed billing statement...The claim was processed nearly five times, and finally UHC paid the claim. This has been going on since 11/2010...now I feel like everyone else on here...I'm not sure what I can do, and I'm fearful of being harassed by a collection agency.

We NEVER received one letter or billing statement from Aureon until receiving this collection letter.

I live in Canton, GA, and I don't even know who to contact, other than my husband's neurologist. They have not returned my call. I hope that more and more people will post on here so we can figure out the best course of action.

It's horrible to have cancer, and then on top of this to be billed for a debt nearly two years after the fact.
 






Chesapeake Urology has not yet been able to find any policy that says Aureon labs agreed not to balance bill or send to collections. If you have this policy, is there any way that you can post it? Or that I could somehow get a copy? My husband's testing was sent out without our knowledge and because it was out of network, it looks like Aureon labs can legally hold us responsible for the entire cost. None of us have this kind of extra money after paying for cancer treatment.
 












Wow, its sad to read all these horrible financial postings. I worked as a salesrep for almost 2 years. It sounds like many people were not even aware that a test was ordered. The sad part about Aureon is that in the beginning of their sales efforts they tried to get doctors to go back and order tests for patients already treated with PC. I never did that because the test couldn't really change their treatment since they were treated. Some reps got the doctor to give them 20+ patient charts. They will tell the doctor, wouldn't it be great to do a study and see how Aureon's Risk assesment prognostic test works for your patients. You can then see their likelihood of getting mets postop, which is what the PX test was designed for. Most patients had NO clue the test was ordered and the doctor believed the Aureon Rep that if their insurance didn't cover then they wouldn't be balanced bill. Well, now that Aureon went bankrupt they must have sold off their collections to a 3rd party. I call the B.S. and wouldn't pay. I would send a copy of the bill to the urologists who ordered it. He should have had something in writing from the Rep stating NO balance billing if it was never covered. The fact is since the test was relatively NEW, no one covered it and once Medicare denied covering it the Game was over. No private payer will pay if the biggest payer (Medicare denies coverage). Plus this is a prognostic test (predicting the future) and Aureon was not considered in network, therefore most payers generally denied it. I wouldn't pay anybody a dime for something you didn't consent for. Some Reps made a rediculous amount of money which to me amounts to fraud. They knew better, but I also blame upper management telling the reps that patients wouldn't have to foot the bill. Good luck to all!
 






As posted earlier in this thread, it is extremely important that if you received a notice from the collection agency, that you submit a written dispute within 30 days of receipt, via certified us mail, return receipt. This will protect you from being forced to accept the debt because of no response. Although our urology practice has said they did have a written agreement and that their attorneys are working on it and that they would be in touch, it is still important to write this letter (read the back of you Universal bill) and send a letter by registered mail. I do not intend to pay one penny of the $2800 bill. If we are rebilled I intend to notify all 3 credit bureaus that I am disputing it.
 






Anonymous said:
To those who defend Aureon Labs: regardless of the utility of the test, Medicare and major insurance plans (notably Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Cigna, etc.) regarded the test as "experimental" and refused to reimburse for it. Physicians and other providers who ordered this test were not aware (because of misleading information by high pressure Aureon salesmen) that the tests will not get reimbursed and consequently did not inform patients of this before ordering ( as they should have, for instance, in the case of Medicare with an "Ädvance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage" - ABN - form). Aureon did not bill the unsuspecting patients but carried the bills as "unpaid" on their books until they went out of business. (After running through 40 million dollars of venture capital). Universal Fidelity then was assigned to recover these "debts"as part of the assets of the defunct Aureon business.
Altogether very shady business and on the whole probably illegal. Universal Fidelity is doubtless aware of all the facts, but will play on peoples fears of damaged credit to rake in whatever they can.
Click to expand...

Very good points. Although this doesn't apply to my husband because although he has Medicare Part A, he is still on my insurance for Part B. HOWEVER, anyone here that is Medicare Part B HAS TO SIGN AN ABN BEFORE the test is order, blood is drawn, tissue sent, etc. If the ABN is NOT signed in ADVANCE then the laboratory CANNOT bill for the test and are in violation of federal law if they do.
I am a medical lab compliance officer and I know this for a fact. If you did not sign an ABN before this was ordered, report it as fraud to Medicare.
 






Can someone out there make a template letter for us who don't know what we're doing? My husband and I received the Universal letter last week, so I know I have a little time, but I don't want to procrastinate on this at all...so nervous that the collection agency will report to the credit agencies...

Thanks EVERYONE who has responded to the many of us in this situation with Aureon.
 






Anonymous said:
Wow, its sad to read all these horrible financial postings. I worked as a salesrep for almost 2 years. It sounds like many people were not even aware that a test was ordered. The sad part about Aureon is that in the beginning of their sales efforts they tried to get doctors to go back and order tests for patients already treated with PC. I never did that because the test couldn't really change their treatment since they were treated. Some reps got the doctor to give them 20+ patient charts. They will tell the doctor, wouldn't it be great to do a study and see how Aureon's Risk assesment prognostic test works for your patients. You can then see their likelihood of getting mets postop, which is what the PX test was designed for. Most patients had NO clue the test was ordered and the doctor believed the Aureon Rep that if their insurance didn't cover then they wouldn't be balanced bill. Well, now that Aureon went bankrupt they must have sold off their collections to a 3rd party. I call the B.S. and wouldn't pay. I would send a copy of the bill to the urologists who ordered it. He should have had something in writing from the Rep stating NO balance billing if it was never covered. The fact is since the test was relatively NEW, no one covered it and once Medicare denied covering it the Game was over. No private payer will pay if the biggest payer (Medicare denies coverage). Plus this is a prognostic test (predicting the future) and Aureon was not considered in network, therefore most payers generally denied it. I wouldn't pay anybody a dime for something you didn't consent for. Some Reps made a rediculous amount of money which to me amounts to fraud. They knew better, but I also blame upper management telling the reps that patients wouldn't have to foot the bill. Good luck to all!
Click to expand...


Yes there were reps who probably profited from selling that way, but do not throw all reps for Aureon into that group. Many of the reps who were honest and truly believed the technology are the same ones spending their free time and effort to help offices correct this situation they have no control over. Remember reps are just as vulnerable as doctors, because we have to believe what we are told is truth and upper management is truly responsible for following through on promises. Please don't attack these people who lost their jobs and are doing all they can to help us now. I work in an office where our Aureon rep was totally honest and never pushed for business that wasn't a good fit for the test. Now our rep who lost his job with no warning, severence or even cobra benefits is working in his extra time outside if his new job to help us get copies of Aureons billing policies to help patients fight this. Dont be mad at your dr, Aureon, or the reps, be mad at the new owner who is greedy and probably commiting some kind of fraud. You never had any issues until this happened, so don't throw everyone under the bus.

Also- legally speaking patients don't have to consent. The ABN with Medicare is for billing purposes only, but technically speaking pt consent is not required for ese types of tests, and most pts sign away consent at the time of surgery (if you read the paperwork you will see that included is the right for the physicians/hospital to use tissue for research).

I Agree with this poster to fight this, report fraud if you feel it is a valid claim. Some are organizing a class action suit for pts to join if desired.
 






Aureon is a great case study in why "personalized medicine" is still a crock. Its just a stupid phrase created by drug companies and labs. I hope Aureon is the first, in a long line of other labs trying to cash in on "personalized medicine" tests, to die off. Im tired of watching people waste money on this crap. Hopefully the affordable health care bill will put an end to the farce.

I hope you Aureon reps dont list this place as a former employer on your resume. Man this chick fil A sandwich is good.
 






Please help me to better understand your statements on authorization of tests and a patient's rights. My urologist, which is an in-network provider with my insurance company, sent my prostate biopsy to a pathology lab for testing, my prostate biopsies came back positive for cancer, before I received my diagnosis of prostate cancer from my urologist, my urologist authorized my biopsies be sent to Aureon Labs, an out-of-network provider for testing, (other than, my originally ordered biopsy to determine malignancy) and you are saying, my urologist did not need my authorization for further testing of my biopsies or a
pre-certification/authorization from my in-network insurance company...because my urologist had an agreement with Aureon Labs, which is no longer in business? Please explain.
 






Top Bottom
Back
Quote