posted
Our LLMD did not suggest a lumbar puncture before IV ABX.
There is virtually no value to spinal taps in regards to diagnosing Lyme Disease. Highly unlikely testing the fluid will show Lyme.
However, there is a risk that a non-LLMD would diagnose MS based on spinal tap findings and your clinical symptoms. Once you have an MS diagnosis it can't be undone - and can make future health, life, and long term care insurance purchases difficult if not impossible.
My husband's IV ABX are being covered for 28 days by Cigna. But be aware, that its not only the insurance company that matters but also the specific policy that you are covered by. We have a very good employer-sponsored Cigna plan, but they may not cover the same treatment for a plan purchased by a self-employed individual. You need to see your full-length plan coverage.
Posts: 39 | From wdc | Registered: Aug 2007
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djf2005
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11449
posted
absolutely not
-------------------- "Experience is not what happens to you; it is what you do with what happens to you."
Western Blot positive, seriously ill, didn't improve on orals so husband was started on IV and we're finally starting to see some good results.
Insurance has actually picked up the tab but I was prepared to pay for it out of pocket and may have to pay for it down the line when insurance gets tired of us.
Posts: 984 | From San Diego | Registered: Nov 2006
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posted
My kids had IV antibiotics and didn't need a lumbar puncture to get IV.
However, my kids had several LPs because they also have Pseudo-Tumor Cerebri.
We have HealthPartners insurance.
The following is a Minnesota Statute:
2007 Minnesota Statutes 62A.265 COVERAGE FOR LYME DISEASE. 1. Required coverage. Every health plan, including a plan providing the coverage specified in section 62A.011, subdivision 3, clause (10), must cover treatment for diagnosed Lyme disease.
2. Special restrictions prohibited. No health plan included in subdivision 1 may impose a special deductible, co-payment, waiting period, or other special restriction on treatment for Lyme disease that the health plan does not apply to nonpreventive treatment in general.
-------------------- Peggy
~ ~ Hope is a powerful medicine. ~ ~ Posts: 2775 | From MN | Registered: Apr 2001
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posted
To the person that said that if they diagnosed me with MS and how that would screw up my lyme treatment in the future, that made lots of sense and gave me a different way to look at things, so thanks a whole lot.
I will not have one. I don't have any of the other symptoms of MS. No reason to suspect. Even that witch Neurologist who had a referral from another bad PCP that said to evaluate me for a lumbar puncture said that I didn't need one.
I have too many of the other symptoms of Lyme, not MS. I don't want anyone branding me with anything else...I've been branded enough. I've got my diagnosis, through blood work and I'll bet clinically on Tuesday, (he's already seen my symptom list in the mail) I'll be diagnosed as well.
Let's just hope UHC goes along with it. I'm afraid of them. I'm afraid of all big insurances. I've got my video camera ready for my self documentary of the fights I'll probably have to have with these people.
I'll inform them THAT THEIR CALL IS BEING RECORDED FOR TRAINING PURPOSES (lol) and I'll call the dang news with the story. Not that they would care but I would, just to make myself feel better.
I can't remember what insurance it was, but I remember a few years ago, a woman had breast cancer, her "good" insurance paid for chemo, she went into remission, and then it came back later on. Her insurance refused another round of chemo.
She stood outside Wal-Mart asking for money for her chemo for her cancer. How sad. How scary. A little off topic, but it just goes to show how sick insurance companies can be.
That story was in the paper, so it's nothing I heard down the grapevine.
-------------------- "~*~My smile hides my bite~*~." Posts: 506 | From N/A | Registered: Jun 2008
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posted
I had a lumbar puncture to rule out MS. I have not tested positive yet. I don't have MS. If you don't have to have one, don't. YOu already have a positive lyme test.
barb
Posts: 167 | From USA | Registered: Jul 2008
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