Well, I was just wondering who is allowed to order the Igenex tests. Simple question. If I see a ND, could they have it done? I know you need a 'doctor's permission' on the form, but does it absolutely *have* to be a MD?
Thanks!
Posted by Imaginit (Member # 20399) on :
My ND ordered mine for me. So I think so.
Good luck!
Posted by Leelee (Member # 19112) on :
I don't know the answer, but I wonder if it might vary by state.
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
here's the wording from igenex ....
YES!!
MD, DO ,ND, AC, DC are all fine** *****************************************
must sign, date, and show DIAGNOSIS CODE on there why he's ordering the test. Make sure you show to FAX results and SNAIL MAIL PAPER COPY! My results were lost for 4-5 weeks! Bettyg
*****************************
IGENEX , CALIF. BLOOD TESTINGS ...check current $$!
* Please note: What you are about to read below is NOT meant to scare any of you from any lyme testings done; it's meant to be informed PRIOR to going into having various tests done and then be told what the costs will be! * Mine was sticker $$ shock on various testings done by my 2nd LLMD/new to me in 4=06. Those tests/results are found elsewhere in my links/advise.
* Igenex's charges for these below things cost $905, which I figured up the last 2 days for 2 other folks includes
* The below tests were done for ME; you MAY NOT NEED them all ok! :
* western blot IGM & IGG, this is MANDATORY for you which costs $200 total for 2 tests done; INCREASED MAY 2008 * ******************************************************* * OPTIONAL ONES ARE:
* co-infection panel for YOUR AREA OF COUNTRY; * PCR WHOLE BLOOD...this is what my LLMD ordered!
It's PREPAY! unless you are on medicare; IGX will file the paperwork & it's FREE to you.
go to www.igenex.com and read over their info. Prices go up twice a year: MAY and NOVEMBER!!
* Also, call 1-800.832.3200 for CURRENT PRICES! * They will also send you a ``test kit'' with their required form, all the test vials, & box to ship it in! OUT OF USA will take longer to receive! * You need to DOWNLOAD IGENEX's required form. * * MD, DO ,ND, AC, DC are all fine** must sign, date, and show DIAGNOSIS CODE on there why he's ordering the test. Make sure you show to FAX results and SNAIL MAIL PAPER COPY! My results were lost for 4-5 weeks! Bettyg * * When you get your results, please post them in MEDICAL; * Post ONLY the POSITIVE & IND ones .... not the negative ones! * Also, look for post by LYMETOO/TUTU on DR. C's (Missouri) explanation of the western blot IGM & IGG numbers, below! http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=042077 Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
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My ND ordered mine. My MD would not, even after an ear specialist told me to get tested.
If you are relying on Medicare to cover the test costs, talk to Igenex FIRST. There is a process.
And, be sure that if your ND orders the test that medicare will still cover it. It may need to be ordered by a doctor who has a medicare provider number.
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Posted by seekhelp (Member # 15067) on :
Also, be sure to find a provider who will not mark-up Igenix test costs to make profit. Know the costs ahead of time as Igenix provides them openly. Jump providers to save yourself $$$$ if you think multiple ones may be willing to at least sign the requisition form. I recently learned about this.
Igenix pre-pays S/H so don't get hit there. A reasonable fee for a blood draw is the only possible extra that should be acceptable ($10 or so). We pay enough for good care already.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
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Also be sure to read the drawing and shipping instructions. They will only accept samples on certain days earlier in the week.
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Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
cotton, it should have been $200 ONLY; i'd have them itemize & be accountable for almost $200 more!! UNACCEPTABLE! *******************
Posted by dubbyah (Member # 20685) on :
Do you guys think getting one of the initial panels done as opposed to just the two individual tests (IGG AND IGM) is worthwhile?
Posted by Ocean (Member # 3496) on :
CB, That's terrible! I had my blood drawn in CA by Quest and they said they were not allowed to give me the blood back, so they had to ship it. They charged me $50.
When my son's was drawn in Ohio, it was $14.80, and after insurance talked to them, it was $10.14. The hospital where we had it drawn spun it and gave us the blood back and we shipped it right away.
I thought most LLMD's tried to decrease the amount of money their patients spend??? That makes me sad, trying to profit even more.
Ocean
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
cotton, did you talk to their bookkeeper personally?
that is HIGHWAY ROBBERY!
$10 should be ballpark to draw the blood; mine is only $3 from our clinic. $100 each per igenex' charges.
i'd call them on it & refund cash to me on their OVERCHARGES; DON'T LET IT GO!!
were any other blood tests done in additional to western blot.
Posted by seekhelp (Member # 15067) on :
That's an enormous mark-up Cotton. Sometimes BettyG it's a losing proposition.
Not all docs care about people's finances. We presume that because they treat a despised disease in the medical world. That doesn't mean they can't be profit-hungry too. The bottom line is always keep an open eye and ear.
Regarding overcharges, I pressed a LLMD hard on this. The office stated repeatedly Igenix negotiates different rates with different providers. After 5 times trying to say you're wrong, I let it go.
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
cotton, YES YOU CAN ALWAYS CHALLENGE IT!
other day another person had the same deal as you; it was entered wrong and DOUBLE-BILLED; they went to the bookkeeper & got it straightened out.
so ALWAYS TRY & KEEP NOTES OF DATE, TIME, WHO YOU TALKED TO, & WHAT WAS SAID... best wishes. Posted by kitteagirl (Member # 20629) on :
An osteopath is considered virtually the same as an MD in (I believe) all states. Some states do not recognize the term "osteopath," so they just give them an MD license. Osteopaths also have their specialties just like MD's and are allowed to practice in hospitals just like MD's. There is a slight difference in medical philosophy, but they virtually learn everything an MD learns, plus they also learn spinal manipulation similar to a chiropractor....just FYI.
Posted by Richard1062 (Member # 19233) on :
Dubbyah, it does not have to be an MD who signs the form, from Igenex's point of view. Our PCP wanted nothing to do with it, so our chiropractor who is Lyme aware ordered the Igenex test. Igenex had no problem with that.
BUT then it turned out our local labs will not draw blood unless an MD signs for it! We were stuck and desperate.
Eventually we went across the line to NY state, and used a walk-in lab that does confidential testing for STD's and such.
Hopefully in ME it's easier, but here in our corner of MA it was such a nuisance. You might want to check with your local lab to see what they say.
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