I'm interested in pursuing Lyme testing with Igenex. Anybody here use them before?
Do you have to have a doctor's order for the testing?
How much is the testing and any luck getting reimbursed by your insurance?
Thanks.
Posted by Summer3 (Member # 35286) on :
Most people who are seeing a LLMD are tested through Igenex. It is considered the best lab for tick borne infection testing by most people.
I believe that you do need a doctor's order to pursue testing and to get the blood drawn in most cases. I don't think Igenex releases test results to patients. You can order a kit online and then have any willing doctor sign off on it, but a better way is to locate a LLMD. He/she will know which tests you need, will help you interpret the results, and can then get you started with appropriate treatment if needed.
I believe the western blot alone IgG and IgM is about $200. However, some doctors suggest testing for the various co-infections as well such as erlichia, bartonella and babesia. This runs about $650. Some people are able to be partially reimbursed through insurance. It depends on your carrier and situation. A lot of people have to pay out of pocket for Igenex.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Sometimes you can talk your GP into signing off on the testing. Or even a chiro.
Test #188 and 189 is the Western Blot
Posted by CountryMouse (Member # 32073) on :
My chiropractor signed mine!
And nope, they send results directly to doc not the patient.
I wish I could afford the Igenex coinfection panel but it's just too much.
Just had the standard coinfection tests done. Insurance paid for them but I don't have a ton of faith in the results.
Posted by Robin123 (Member # 9197) on :
For those who qualify as lower income, there is www.lymetap.com which will reimburse 75% of IGeneX testing -
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
PS... I got reimbursed by insurance for my $200 testing. Took me 9 mo of hounding them for it!
![[Frown]](frown.gif)