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Genetic Testing

nothungry

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nothungry Contributor
nothungry
Posted

I want to have my children genetically tested for celiac disease. I don't really know the first thing about it and I would appreciate any information anybody has to offer me...Is this done in a doctor's office, a laboratory or with a home kit? How do I go about finding out of my insurance company will pay for it? Has anybody else had their insurance company cover the costs?

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Jnkmnky Collaborator
Jnkmnky
Posted
I want to have my children genetically tested for celiac disease. I don't really know the first thing about it and I would appreciate any information anybody has to offer me...Is this done in a doctor's office, a laboratory or with a home kit? How do I go about finding out of my insurance company will pay for it? Has anybody else had their insurance company cover the costs?

Use Prometheus Labs on the west coast or Enterolab on the east coast. I used Prometheus Labs. My insurance covered most of it. It was $300 per test. I got the test kit, took it to my dr who drew the blood and the kit is picked up by Prometheus labs for the running of the test.

nothungry Contributor
nothungry
Posted
  • Author

Do I mail order these test kits?

Jnkmnky Collaborator
Jnkmnky
Posted
Do I mail order these test kits?

I picked ours up at the R.O.C.K. walk last May. I think you can order them from the labs. Google their names and you'll get a link to them. They give out the kits for free as far as I know... it's the testing that they charge for! :)

nothungry Contributor
nothungry
Posted
  • Author

Thanks for the information. I tried to call my insurance company. They said that my doctor has to call their resource coordination department and convince them that my kids are at high risk, then they will consider paying for it. How did your insurance company handle it?

Jnkmnky Collaborator
Jnkmnky
Posted
Thanks for the information. I tried to call my insurance company. They said that my doctor has to call their resource coordination department and convince them that my kids are at high risk, then they will consider paying for it. How did your insurance company handle it?

Well, we're military. It's different for us. I picked up the kits, took them to our PCP *civilian, not military* and said I want the tests done. She did them, sent them off and I waited to see if they'd get paid for. I got a small bill later. I generally do whatever I want medically and they always cover it. I'm forunate that way. I realize it's difficult for those not in the military. Good luck.

I want add that it hasn't always been so easy medically speaking, in the military. Only in the last 4 years has it gotten to the point where they're more agreeable. Frankly, military medicine was, imo, dangerous prior to that. We had the WORST care. With the wars and the farming out of medical care, we're getting so much better care. I and my kids see civilian doctors and I can't tell you how great that is in just words. Did anyone see that 20/20 show a few years back where the head of the Army's OBGYN got out of the army and was delivering pizza for a living??? I had "drs" who couldn't get a job delivering pizza after they got out. <_<

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