Is a primary diagnosis a definitive diagnosis based on results of tests and examinations?

Question:

I was looking on my insurance website under my personal medical summary and noticed that under one my many primary diagnosis -- one is Multiple Sclerosis. I have currently been undergoing numerous neurological exams hoping to get some clarity out of my current condition. My primary care physician stated he was worried I could have MS or Lupus and referred me to a Neurologist. After $17,000 worth of medical bills and no known diagnosis, I wonder if it has been diagnosed MS. I must state that all my other diagnoses state specific disorders or illnesses. Is a primary diagnosis a definitive diagnosis based on results of tests and examinations? Or is it just a doctor's offices' way of getting paid for tests administered?

Answers:
The working diagnosis or primary can become a definitive diagnosis when there exist positive test that nails the diagnosis.

MS is a diagnosis of exclusion, rather than a positive lab test or imaging.

If the Neurologist has not put MS down as a definitive diagnosis it is still in the process of being ruled out.

The fat lady has not sung.

Is the docs best answer to the tests and results and is used to "guide" further tests and the insurance companies use it to "justify" the tests. IE an MS diagnosis and a pap smear would not fit and the test would be denied as not relavent to the diagnosis. You'll get the final one from the doc, not your ins co. website.

Is a primary diagnosis a definitive diagnosis based on results of tests and examinations?

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