I was wondering how good is the Bowen Labs, and do they except insurance?
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SForsgren
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7686
posted
My opinion is that Bowen is terrible for coinfections. I can't tell you how many people I have heard that were negative via Bowen but had proven results from other labs. I don't trust their coinfection testing. I do trust their Bb testing.
Go with Igenex. It is the best you can get.
-------------------- Be well, Scott Posts: 4617 | From San Jose, CA | Registered: Jul 2005
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BostonLyme2005
Unregistered
posted
I am looking at a copy of a MDL, Not Bowen, sorry. Test done on me last june...
My Igenex and MDL labs are identical in results...except MDL Babs titre + and Igenex Titre -
Posts: 1950 | From New Mexico | Registered: Sep 2001
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BostonLyme2005
Unregistered
posted
It was MDL....Not Bowen, sorry!
Should I email MDL, ask them why I have different results from Igenex?
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
Someone was asking about details on the 3 labs; this is what I put togehter, and if there are any changes, PLEASE let me know so I can update it for newbies. Thanks.
TESTING FOR LYME DISEASE ... 3 main LYME TICK BORNE LABS IN USA!
The WESTERN BLOT IGM & IGG blood test nos. 189 and 188, are the only accurate tests for LD. They should only be sent to these 3 USA's Lyme testing labs:
IGENEX LAB: 797 San Antonio Road Palo Alto, CA 94303 1.800.832.3200.
(If the early test, called IGM, is negative; the later test IGG is NOT done!) Please see their web site: www.igenex.com CALL for their current prices effective OCT. , 2005 and
to print their REQUIRED form, which MUST be signed by the doctor, DIAGNOSIS CODE NO. COMPLETED!; Medicare's UPIN no., and your blood taken EARLY in the week so it doesn't sit in post offices! Example, have it taken Mon. - Wed. Afternoon tests show more positive lyme results!
Here is the site to PRINT THEIR REQUIRED FORM to send with blood sample. For me, I printed the FIRST option available on the forms.
Write on their forms you want results FAXED to their drs. Office; snail mail paper copy so it's not lost like mine was!
NON-Medicare patients must PREPAY by check or credit card for the tests since they do NOT handle insurance papers. Medicare patients do NOT have to prepay!
2. MDLabs from NJ, www.mdl.net see their site; they too require their own form. NO prices are listed; you must call their 800 no.
3. BOWEN labs from Florida, www.bowen.net 727.937.9077
You pay $250 tax-deductible payment for testing, and they send you a picture of what shows up in your blood. You also get the results within 24 hours after the blood is received at Bowen. They are also a 501(c)(3) lab and you can take the donation of $250 off of your taxes if you live in the US.
They fax the results and then about a week later send the actual pictures.
NO way to file for insurance since it's only a brief letter you get back from them even WITHOUT a 501 federal tax no!
Lyme should be diagnosed clinically using medical history in addition with the Western Blot blood tests as no currently available test is definitive in ruling-in or ruling-out infection with Ld pathogens, or whether these infections are responsible for the patient's symptoms.
NOTE: Please send a copy of your health insurance card to YOUR insurance comany (mine is Wellmark BC/BS, Iowa) for them to submit to BLUE CARD (handles other states) them to FORWARD to California's Blue Shield health insurance company since they will require that, DRS. Diagnosis Code No., and which date of service is correct (IGX has 3 different dates on their paid receipts....use the DATE OF ACTIVITY!).
FYI - mine was returned to me after 6 wks. After submitting; dr./blood lab failed to show DRS. DIAGNOSIS CODE NO. on their form! It went to 7 people to be returned to me! Disgusting!
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5dana8
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7935
posted
JMPO I would stick to igenex.
Remember, that like lyme ,the tests for co-infections are just as iffy. The diagnosis is also made by clinical symptoms.
Alot of doctors treat according to symptoms regaurdless of what the test results show. There are I think aprox 20 different specices of babs and only tests for 2 of them.
I guess testing wouldn't hurt but it also is not definative
-------------------- 5dana8 Posts: 4432 | From some where over the rainbow | Registered: Sep 2005
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