Our ped. is willing to order bart testing for my 9yo through whatever lab I say. (YEA!!) Here is my dilemma...
I absolutely cannot afford even the Igenex WB (which we are getting done regardless), so I'm trying to find a lab that our ins. will cover.
Basically our ins. (state low-income) covers Quest and that's about it. BUT I might could get them to cover a different lab as a "special circumstance".
Igenex, though, won't work because the "special circumstance" coverage only applies if the lab bills. Ins will not reimburse parents.
So... I MIGHT could get the ins. to pay for MD Labs if they will bill the ins. themselves.
OR I could have testing done through Quest (not reliable, I know) which is covered with no question.
I guess it comes down to: Is the bart testing done at MD Labs any more reliable than Quest?
In other words, is it worth it to try and get the insurance to cover outside testing through them?
Chris
Posted by Chloe07 (Member # 15663) on :
Hi there,
Our insurance has covered Both Lyme and Co-infection testing done through my daughter's LLMD at Stony brook Lab in NY, MDL (Medical Diag nostics Lab) in NJ, and Clongen Lab.
Hope this helps some and your son feels better soon!
Posted by kitkat32 (Member # 9682) on :
I know it is terrible to be stuck in a situation that you can't afford testing.
I would suggest getting your child tested through any lab your insurance will cover as your first step.
You might get lucky and have it come back positive for Bartonella. I just recently had a positive bartonella through Stonybrook. Although I do not think this is a reliable lab.
Anyway, I would take the chance and have it paid for the first time around.
If it comes out negative you can try Igenex the second time around.
Remember though, no matter how good the lab lyme and co infections are tricky. It might come out negative no matter where it is sent.
kit
Posted by aiden424 (Member # 7633) on :
I had a positive Bart test from Quest. Make sure they test for all the different types of Bart.
If your insurance covers Quest I would start there. You can always be tested again some where else.
Kathy
Posted by adamm (Member # 11910) on :
A lot of folks think Fry is one of the best for
bart--
I'd do a search for it.
Posted by SmurfyMom (Member # 13688) on :
Thanks guys!
Yeah, Fry is where I'd *like* to do co. testing, but they don't take insurance either. Since my ins. won't remimburse... =(
I guess for now we will just use Quest. Horribly unreliable, BUT paid for. Maybe we'll get lucky.
Regardless of results we are likely going to be heading up to MO at some point, anyway. I was just hoping to find something out first.
Gonna have to find good info and data to take to the ped about negatives not really meaning much, I suspect.
Ah well. If I can educate one... =)
Chris
Posted by adamm (Member # 11910) on :
lymeinfo.net and lymecryme.com have good
collections of studies.
Posted by njlymemom (Member # 15088) on :
hi Smurfymom,
none of us have tested pos. for bart. we have used stonybrook, MDL and Quest. this is over 5 years now of bloodwork
all 4 of us have symptoms
convinced llmd to treat clinicly for bart - and kids are improving
if ins. does not cover, is there anyway that you can convince this dr. to treat clinicly....give it a few mos. and see what happens?