Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Celiac Panel Bloodwork

njbeachbum

Recommended Posts

njbeachbum Explorer
njbeachbum
Posted

OK so I had blood drawn to test for Celiac on November 9, 2007. My Insuance provider is Aetna. When they received the claim from Quest Diagnostics, they denied all 3 tests for the Celiac panel on the basis that they are "experimental and investigational". I am now slapped with a bill for $600 that is ready to go to a collections agency and I am fighting with Aetna reps, Quest reps and my doctor's office to appeal this and get it paid for. Even according to my doctor, there is nothing experimental about these DIAGNOSTIC tests.

This is so frustrating! I'm wondering if anyone else has had a similar battle with insurance over this blood work.

:angry:

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Gemini Experienced
Gemini
Posted
OK so I had blood drawn to test for Celiac on November 9, 2007. My Insuance provider is Aetna. When they received the claim from Quest Diagnostics, they denied all 3 tests for the Celiac panel on the basis that they are "experimental and investigational". I am now slapped with a bill for $600 that is ready to go to a collections agency and I am fighting with Aetna reps, Quest reps and my doctor's office to appeal this and get it paid for. Even according to my doctor, there is nothing experimental about these DIAGNOSTIC tests.

This is so frustrating! I'm wondering if anyone else has had a similar battle with insurance over this blood work.

:angry:

To be honest, I paid for my testing out of pocket because I wanted it done FAST and the doctor I went to was not covered under my HMO plan. This is a precursor to national health and what we are in for if certain people are elected to office in this country. :angry:

Mine was done 3 years ago and I paid $380.00 for a full Celiac panel. So, I really do not understand why your cost was so high. Secondly, your doctor's office should be handling this for you, if they filed the original claim. If your doctor ordered the panel, they should cover it, period. I would think a short call from the physician to the crooks at the insurance would do it but I know that's a tall order for some doctors to do.

If the claim is in dispute, then you are not obligated to pay it, no matter what a collection agency might say in the near future. Seeing's as this country lets illegals flood our emergency rooms for free medical care, I would not give in and pay it! In fact, if you receive any threatening calls, I would ask them point blank if they harass illegals as much as citizens for payment...that usually shuts them up!

njbeachbum Explorer
njbeachbum
Posted
  • Author

lol - thanks, i needed that. the problem is that my doctor's office called a couple of weeks ago and told me that everything was taken care of. then the collection notice arrived the other day. so i called aetna, and spoke with a complete moron who said i have to file an appeal. apparently nobody told my doctor's rep that when she called two weeks ago. what a cluster f@ck. so then i hung up at 4:45 and called my doctors office (hours till 5pm) and i got their answering service. how nice. i wish i could leave work early everyday too.

ok. end of rant.

:blink:

happygirl Collaborator
happygirl
Posted

They are NOT investigational at all----you are right.

Good luck! Hopefully your doctor will be able to clear this up.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,202
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Nana Susie
    Newest Member
    Nana Susie
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.6k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Who's Online (See full list)

    • There are no registered users currently online

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Scott Adams
      Increased intraepithelial lymphocytes after 10 yrs gluten-free

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Celiac disease is the most likely cause, but here are articles about the other possible causes:    
    • xxnonamexx
      FDA looking for input on Celiac Gluten sensitivity labeling PLEASE READ and submit your suggestions

      By xxnonamexx · Posted

      Please read: https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-takes-steps-improve-gluten-ingredient-disclosure-foods?fbclid=IwY2xjawPeXhJleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFzaDc3NWRaYzlJOFJ4R0Fic3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHrwuSsw8Be7VNGOrKKWFVbrjmf59SGht05nIALwnjQ0DoGkDDK1doRBDzeeX_aem_GZcRcbhisMTyFUp3YMUU9Q
    • cristiana
      Increased intraepithelial lymphocytes after 10 yrs gluten-free

      By cristiana · Posted

      Hi @Atl222 As @trents points out, there could be many reasons for this biopsy result.  I am interested to know, is your gastroenterologist concerned?  Also, are your blood tests showing steady improvement over the years? I remember when I had my last biopsy, several years after diagnosis, mine came back with with raised lymphocytes but no villous damage, too! In my own case, my consultant wasn't remotely concerned - in fact, he said I might still get this result even if all I ever did was eat nothing but rice and water.   My coeliac blood tests were still steadily improving, albeit slowly, which was reassuring.
    • trents
      Increased intraepithelial lymphocytes after 10 yrs gluten-free

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome to the celiac.com community, @Atl222! Yes, your increased lymphocytes could be in response to oats or it could possibly be cross contamination from gluten that is getting into your diet from some unexpected source but not enough to damage the villi. And I'm certain that increased lymphocytes can be caused by other things besides celiac disease or gluten/oats exposure. See attachment. But you might try eliminating oats to start with and possibly dairy for a few months and then seek another endoscopy/biopsy to see if there was a reduction in lymphocyte counts. 
    • Scott Adams
      Brown Rice Vinegar (organic) from Eden Foods is likely gluten free

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      This is a solid, well-reasoned approach. You’re right that “koji” by itself doesn’t indicate gluten status, and the risk really does come down to which grain is used to culture it. The fact that you directly contacted Eden Foods and received a clear statement that their koji is made from rice only, with no wheat or barley, is meaningful due diligence—especially since Eden has a long-standing reputation for transparency. While the lack of gluten labeling can understandably give pause, manufacturer confirmation like this is often what people rely on for traditionally fermented products. As always, trusting your body after trying it is reasonable, but based on the information you gathered, your conclusion makes sense.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.