• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

The Department of Pathology provides crucial patient-care support for NYU Langone Medical Center and, at the same time, is the largest basic science department in the NYU School of Medicine. We offer multi-faceted and wide-ranging clinical services. Our highly trained pathologists are responsible for the initial evaluation and the diagnosis of diseases and their advice is essential for the subsequent treatment of patients. For general questions on patient care, consult our section on frequently asked questions.

The work of pathologists takes place in highly specialized laboratories and involves the use of sophisticated techniques and equipment, very frequently on a microscopic—or even at the molecular—level. While you may never meet them in person, pathologists are an integral and important part of your health care. Many of your physician’s decisions for your primary or specialized care will depend on the expertise and advice of a pathologist in some way. Pathologists make diagnoses, they prepare individualized reports, they determine which additional tests can provide prognostic information, and they consult with your physician on your future care and treatment.

Because of this scope, a pathologist must be methodical, meticulous, and thorough when examining samples and specimens and interpreting the results of laboratory findings. At NYU all our pathologists are board eligible or board certified by the American Board of Pathology, which means that they have achieved the highest level of competence in their specialty as verified by a professional board.

The Pathology Report
Pathologists provide their diagnostic findings in a signed Pathology Report. The information provided in their report and their consultations with your physician form the basis for any decisions on your treatment. See how to read a Pathology Report.

Understanding Your Bill
NYU Pathology Associates designates a faculty physicians’ group for medical and procedural services. These are physicians who are part of the NYU Faculty Group Practice (FGP) and part of the New York Langone University Medical Center (NYULMC). NYU Pathology Associates provides consultations and offers care to patients from Tisch and Bellevue Hospitals and to patients referred from NYU and private practice physicians in the area.

How a specimen is diagnosed by pathologists from NYU Pathology Associates determines the billing fee structure. For a more detailed description, see the pathway of a specimen from sample to diagnosis. Charges can generally be broken down into three different types:

1. The laboratory responsible for preparing and processing the slides will generally send a separate charge. The charges from the laboratory include the technical fee for embedding, cutting, staining and preparing the slides. 2. For the specific examination and diagnosis by the pathologist only, a charge is sent to your insurance provider from Pathology Associates. This charge is called the professional fee. 3. In some cases, Pathology Associates has made arrangements to send a single charge or a global fee that will include the examination fees as well as the technical processing charges for specimens received from private physicians’ offices.

© 2008 NYU Department of Pathology