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Being unrecognized as a clinical specialty, is anyone else out there having problems getting paid (i.e. insurance rembursement ) for Cliniucla Lipidology consults/ office visits ? A common scenario for me is : patient comes referred by a PCP/ GYN / Cardio due to dyslipidemia, statin intolerance, etc. I see them and a NOT paid by SOME insurance companies- the rejection is based on the fact that i TOO am an internist, and the patietn is in an insurance that calims the patin CANNOT see TWO internists (or primary care providers of any kind) OR must have a referral first.  The patient is often upset by this lack of payment for a critcally needd conslutation, and it compomise thier desrie/ability to return for necessary followup wiht me etc.

Any ideas on HOW to get around this issue ?

I also think that the NLA should SUPPORT its membership and WORK to overcome these reimbursement obstacles, but have met with at best a tepid desire to do so . C'mon NLA Leadership ! You've supported our BECOMING Lipidologists- now lets support finding better ways to help us get PAID for PRACTICING much needed Clinical Lipidology. We need the NLA to FIGHT for better reimbursement for its Primary Care fee for service constituency (these problems presumably don't happen for Endos and Cardios for example, or salaried docs/NP's who get paid no matter what .....)