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Lyme-TAP offers financial assistance for Lyme disease testing
A nationwide program to help financially strapped patients pay for Lyme disease diagnostic tests will start accepting applications November 1.
The Lyme Testing Access Program (Lyme-TAP) will be administered through the Rotary Club of Ferndale Foundation, in coordination with the Humboldt Lyme Awareness Group (HLAG). It is made possible by a generous grant from IGeneX Reference Laboratory of Palo Alto. While all three organizations are based in California, people throughout the United States may apply.
``Many patients can't afford the cost of basic testing,'' said Lyme-TAP coordinator Sylviane Schwartz, of HLAG. ``This poses a huge financial burden to patients, who must pay out-of-pocket to get properly diagnosed.''
Lyme-TAP permits testing at any lab of the patient's choice provided it is certified by Medicare and CLIA (a government designation that sets standards for laboratory testing). Applicants for assistance must provide evidence of financial need. Their treating physician must also sign the application.
Initial funding for Lyme-TAP comes from a $100,000 grant from IGeneX Labs. The program gives priority to children, but adults may also apply.
Lyme disease, a bacterial infection spread by ticks, is the fastest growing vector-borne disease in the United States. It has been reported in all 50 states and many foreign countries. Schwartz said it can be a complex illness to diagnose clinically because it can mimic other conditions such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, and multiple sclerosis.
``Delays in testing often lead to delays in treatment, which can make the disease harder to treat. Lyme-TAP will address one cause of testing delay - inability to pay,'' Schwartz said. ``We hope the program will allow more people to be tested and treated early.''
IGeneX, based in Palo Alto, is a reference lab certified by Medicare and CLIA that specializes in clinical and research testing for Lyme disease and other tick-borne infections.
Humboldt Lyme Awareness Group is an educational organization promoting Lyme and tick-borne disease awareness programs in northern California. HLAG volunteers will coordinate the Lyme-TAP program in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Ferndale Foundation.
The Rotary Club of Ferndale Foundation is a 501 (c) 3 charitable organization set up to support a variety of community needs. Rotary's motto is ``service above self.'' According to a spokesman, ``The Lyme-TAP program is a perfect example of this motto in action.''
To find out more about Lyme-TAP and to download an application form, visit www.lymetap.org.Posts: 991 | From California | Registered: Feb 2006
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Wow
Posts: 8430 | From Not available | Registered: Oct 2000
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nenet
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 13174
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I just sent this to my friend, who is being denied treatment by a so-called LLMD in TN until she gets another Lyme test (which she can't afford). She already had a positive ELISA, tons of symptoms fr years, and known tick bites.
Thank you SO much for posting about this. I am worried sick about her, and this might save her life for all I know.
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Hoping that people in genuine need will use this and not the free riders. Some time ago a person was helped financially and the next thing we heard was that she had gone on a vacation to Florida. Couldn't afford lyme, but could afford a vacation!
Wondering if people who can't afford testing will be able to afford the subsequent treatment?
Posts: 8430 | From Not available | Registered: Oct 2000
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Thank you for the link..My daughter's LLMD is wanting further testing that we can't afford plus I have other children whom I strongly suspect have tick born illnesses that we just can't get tested. This may be a life saver for us! Thank you again! Blessings, Cathy
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