Forgot original question about lab from California:)

[Hope75]

I forgot to add on the last post my original question.  (A little stressed!)  The nurse at my neuro, after asking me many questions, finally said i would have to have a lab that goes to California and my insurance would not pay for it?  I asked how much and she said $400.  I told her I would pay almost anything at this point and to just please ask the doctor.  A couple of questions 1)  Is this some special Lyme test that is the gold standard?  2)  Why wouldn't insurance pay for it?  Thanks in advance for any ideas!

[patsy10]

Sounds like you might have yourself a good doctor.  I hope so.

[Hope75]

Thanks guys for your input.  My neuro is the type to "think outside the box." He does not fool around with useless tests and tries all types of treatments for things.  That is a blessing.  I just have to push by the nurse to get to him sometimes.  She is the "gate keeper" I suppose:)  He hasn't called me back today to tell me if he is really ordering the test, so we'll keep our fingers crossed.

[patsy10]

I'm shocked that your neuro even knows about this lab.  The western blot I had at Igenex was half that price so I suspect more has been ordered that just the WB.  Or maybe the prices went up.  Mine was 3 years ago.

[Amyloo]

Hi,  It is not a special test, rather a lab that specializes in tick bourne illness.  The test is a standard Western Blot, which looks for antibodies to the Lyme bacteria.  Igenex does not bill insurance, except for Medicare.  $400.00 is correct for the IGg and IGm antibody tests, which is what you want to have run.  Be very, very glad that your doctor's office wants to use Igenex and not a "standard" lab; Quest and others are notorious for false negative results on Lyme.

You can submit the bill to your insurance after you pay; mine reimbursed but only about $40.00.  God bless you, Amy