Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology &
Biopsy Service
Since 1962, UK Dentistry has provided pathology services to dentists and physicians across the United States. In addition to our two full-time Board Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Pathologists, we have two histotechnicians who process all of our H&E and special stain slides, our direct immunofluorescence specimens, and many of our immunoperoxidase stains, as well as four essential front office staff members who maneuver the financial and secretarial aspects of our service. We work with partner labs to perform additional testing that may be required, including in-situ hybridization (ISH) or fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) studies. We do our best to sign out cases within 24 hours of receipt. Exceptions would be the small number of specimens that require additional testing. All reports are faxed and/or e-mailed the same day as sign-out.
We strive to provide the best care to all of our patients. With this goal in mind, we value our personalized relationships with biopsy service contributors and welcome any feedback or questions that you may have regarding our service.
For more information on how to submit a biopsy to our laboratory or request biopsy kits, please see “For Contributors/Referring Doctors” below or call 859-323-6333.
We now offer direct immunofluorescence services! Contact our lab for more details or request Michel’s solution below.
Click on an area below for details.
For Patients
- Payments: Balances for services performed prior to June 5, 2021, can be paid using a credit card by calling 859-323-3368. To pay online for services performed June 5, 2021 and later, please visit mychart.uky.edu.
- Insurance: As a courtesy to you, the lab will file your claim with your insurance carrier. You are financially responsible for any charges your insurance does not pay. Please contact your insurance provider with any questions concerning your insurance policy. You may fax copies of your insurance cards (front and back) to 859-323-2525 or you can send an encrypted email with the information to opath@lsv.uky.edu. If you have any questions, please call us at 859-257-5331 or 859-323-5515.
We participate with the following insurance plans: Aetna Better Health of KY, Wellcare of KY, Anthem Medicaid of KY, Humana CareSource of KY, Passport, All Anthem plans, Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Highmark, Premera, Empire, Anthem Federal, Excellus. Blue Direct, Medicare/ Railroad Medicare, Tricare/ Health Net Federal, Humana, PHP of MI, Forward Health of WI, Baptist Health Plans, United Healthcare (select plans), and Aetna (select plans). *This list is subject to change. As a courtesy to our referring doctors and patients, we also file claims with non-contracted plans. Being contracted does not guarantee payment. Please refer to your individual plan for coverage.
- Why would your doctor choose this lab? The University of Kentucky Oral Pathology Laboratory is considered one of the leading oral pathology laboratories in the nation. We serve doctors from all over the United States. Your doctor has the confidence that our laboratory will provide the most appropriate diagnosis to best manage your condition. Our knowledgeable and friendly office staff will be happy to assist you with any billing and insurance questions.
- Tax ID: The lab's Tax ID is 61-6001218.
For Contributors/Referring Doctors
- Requesting Biopsy Kits: Any dentist or physician may request biopsy kits by emailing opath@lsv.uky.edu or calling 859-323-6333. Biopsy kits will be sent to your office within a few days.
- Mailing Kits to the Lab: Within each biopsy kit are a plastic bottle containing 10% neutral buffered formalin, an accession form, and a letter to give to your patient. Pre-paid mailing packages will arrive at your office separately. The biopsy specimen should be placed into the plastic biopsy bottle and tightly sealed (no additional tape is necessary). How the clinician submits the biopsy (on cardboard, free-floating, etc.) is up to the clinician; however, we do request that the specimens not be placed in gauze, as it is often difficult to find the biopsy specimen in that scenario. Place the plastic biopsy bottle and completed history sheet into the provided container and then follow the mailing instructions provided within the kit.
- Reordering Supplies: When you need to re-order lab packs, labels, and specimen containers, please email us at opath@lsv.uky.edu. Copies of Medical insurance cards (front and back) and Medicare and/or Medicaid cards, if applicable, can be emailed to us through this email, as well.
- Sending Photos/Radiographs: Photos and/or radiographs for the case can be emailed to the lab at oralpathphotos@uky.edu. Supplemental photographs and/or radiographs for the cases aid in our diagnosis. It is the responsibility of the provider to ensure that the electronic information is sent securely. If you are willing to allow the oral pathology faculty to use your images for teaching purposes, please indicate that in your email.
- Insurance Information: Please see Patient information link above for a list of plans.
- Patient History Form: Download a copy of our patient history form (PDF) here.
- Patient Information Sheet: Click here (PDF) for an information sheet to give to your patients.
- PECOS/MEDICARE: In 2014, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) created a new rule that services (e.g. pathology services) and certain medical supplies ordered by non-Medicare providers for their Medicare-eligible patients will not be covered by Medicare unless these non-providers are registered in the Provider Enrollment Chain and Ownership System (PECOS). PECOS is a system created within CMS as part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act which does allow such services and supplies to be covered by Medicare as long as the provider is registered in the system.
This mandated registration is required whether you bill Medicare or not. If not registered, Medicare will refuse to pay anything ordered by you such as biopsy reports, imaging reports, or any hospital procedures.
Click here to find the PDF necessary to enroll in PECOS. Please ask your staff to complete this short form in blue ink and mail, along with a copy of all professional school degrees, your DEA Registration and State Licensure Renewal, to the CMS contractor for your area (we can obtain that information for you). Please call us at 859-323-6333, and we can help you fill out the form within a few minutes.
Contact the Lab
- If you are calling from a doctor’s office: 859-323-6333
- If you are a patient: 859-257-5331 or 859-323-5515
- General Inquiries Email: opath@lsv.uky.edu
- Address: University of Kentucky Oral Pathology Laboratory, 770 Rose Street, Room MN 530, Lexington, KY 40536
New Contributor & Supply Reorder Form
Please complete the below form to become a new contributor or to reorder supplies.