posted
I need some advice on how to get a test done from Igenex labs and how to find out if my insurance will help pay for it.
Posts: 22 | From pleasant gap, pa. 16823 | Registered: Jun 2009
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TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
Find out what Igenex charges for each test you will have done. (Look on their website or call them.) Then, call your insurance company and tell them the tests you are having done.
Tell them the testing lab doesn't take insurance. Ask them how much they will pay toward each test when you submit your claim to them.
If they have any requirements before they will pay, they should tell you what they are.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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What I did was pay for the test and then submitted a claim to my insurance. Igenex will send you a receipt and then you can just print a claim form from your insurance website or call them.
My insurance paid me back my entire 80% (20% is my deductible). I did this 3 times for Igenex and 2 times with Fry Labs. My insurance always reimburses me the full 80%. We have Aetna. I also had Medical Mutual last year and they did the same.
Not sure if all insurance co's do this but it doesn't hurt to try!
Amy
-------------------- My lyme disease blog: http://lymetimes3.blogspot.com/ One BIG Lyme family! I tested CDC + 10/08 My mom Igenex + 11/08 & My brother Igenex + 4/09, My 2 boys some + & IND bands, clinical diagnosis 3/09 (youngest has Aspergers too) Posts: 470 | From Painesville, Ohio | Registered: Mar 2009
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On the 2nd page you will see test #'s 188 & 189. Those are the test that I had done at Igenex for Lyme. I think it was $100 for each test?
If you call or email them they will send you a free kit. Then take it to your dr to see if they will sign the test. If not you may have to take it to an LLMD.
Make sure you get a copy of your test when it comes in!
-------------------- My lyme disease blog: http://lymetimes3.blogspot.com/ One BIG Lyme family! I tested CDC + 10/08 My mom Igenex + 11/08 & My brother Igenex + 4/09, My 2 boys some + & IND bands, clinical diagnosis 3/09 (youngest has Aspergers too) Posts: 470 | From Painesville, Ohio | Registered: Mar 2009
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
welcome chris!
copying from my files ...
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!
Betty's suggested POSTING GUIDELINES . many of us have neuro lyme where we can NOT read long solid block text and be able to comprehend and read it as is.
please edit your post by CLICKING PAPER/PENCIL ICON to right of your name. that opens up BOTH subject line and body text.
now please break up your WORDY SENTENCES into one sentence paragraphs. Then hit ENTER KEY ``TWICE`` after each paragraph; we need that space for comprehension.
then go to left hand corner and mark box to receive ALL REPLIES, and click EDIT SEND
we thank you for helping us; otherwise, we will SOB, SCROLL ON BY, since we can't read to help you. If I see posts like this, I SOB them; to hard on me. ------------------------------------------------------
People seeking doctors might be able to get help from their state online information and support group. Nearly 3,400 people belong to state groups. Some of the groups are small but more than 20 of them have 50 or more people and seven have over 100.
The groups are moderated and you have to apply. Most don't allow doctor names, but once on the group, you can ask for doctors in a certain area and ask people to email you privately. *******************************************
This explains the medical politics around lyme WHY you need an ILADS-educated or ILADS-member LLMD (and there are also some ILADS-member LL NDs (naturopathic doctors):
You should also be evaluated for coinfections. Not all tests are great in that regard, either, but a good LLMD can evaluate you and then guide you in testing. One of the top labs is:
"With most infections, your immune system first forms IgM antibodies, then in about 2 to 4 weeks, you see IgG antibodies. In some infections, IgG antibodies may be detectable for years.
Because Borrelia burgdorferi is a chronic persistent infection that may last for decades, you would think patients with chronic symptoms would have positive IgG Western blots.
But actually, more IgM blots are positive in chronic borreliosis than IgG. Every time Borrelia burgdorferi reproduces itself, it may stimulate the immune system to form new IgM antibodies.
Some patients have both IgG and IgM blots positive. But if either the IgG or IgM blot is positive, overall it is a positive result.
Response to antibiotics is the same if either is positive, or both. Some antibodies against the borrelia are given more significance if they are IgG versus IgM, or vice versa.
Since this is a chronic persistent infection, this does not make a lot of sense to me. A newly formed Borrelia burgdorferi should have the same antigen parts as the previous bacteria that produced it.
But anyway, from my clinical experience, these borrelia associated bands usually predict a clinical change in symptoms with antibiotics, regardless of whether they are IgG or IgM." ===========
ILADS The International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS) provides a forum for health science professionals to share their wealth of knowledge regarding the management of Lyme and associated diseases.
posted
I never thought to ask my ins. how much they would pay, but they paid the full $905! My PCP wrote to them and told them it was a "medical necessity". He stated that I had Lyme tests previously through their labs, but still was having Lyme symptoms. Something like that.
To say that I was delighted would be an understatement.
posted
thanks everyone for the advice
Posts: 22 | From pleasant gap, pa. 16823 | Registered: Jun 2009
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Leelee
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19112
posted
I called my insurance company ahead of time. They were not real specific, but they said they would pay 80% of the allowable charges after I had met my deductible.
-------------------- The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. Martin Luther King,Jr Posts: 1573 | From Maryland | Registered: Feb 2009
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
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Chris,
be sure to talk to Igenex about timing. As you were bitten on Memorial Day, it may still be too soon to test for lyme. In any case, be sure to ask first and if there are ways to achieve the best test such as with an antibiotic challenge.
And, ask about timing for testing other tick-borne infections. Describe to them the red elbow, etc.
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otherwise, we will SOB, SCROLL ON BY, since we can't read to help you. If I see posts like this, I SOB them; to hard on me. 
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