Enterolab

[captaincrab55]

Hi All, I was diagnosed June of 09, and did Good for about 9 months except a few gluten attacks here or there... The next 6 months were very trying with issues like I was eating gluten... The last 3 months I've been very careful not to ingest gluten... My issues are almost as bad as before I was diagnosed except my DH isn't the big problem it was... Keep in mind that I'm taking 25 mg of Dapsone, but still having a few pimples and a little of the itch...

Two weeks ago I decided to get tested with the Enterolab package, but wanted my Health Ins to pay if possible.. It took almost two weeks back and forth with Enterolab and my Ins co with me as the middle man... Late Friday my Ins co gave me a written OK that they would pay 80% of the Enterolab cost.. Great news with False hopes is all I got... Spoke with Enterolab today and started ordering $568 of tests.. Gave them my name and address until I said Maryland... Stop is what I got, they can't do business by mail or UPS in Maryland or NY... Has anyone here had that happen??? I can get the test mailed to another State and mail it back from that State... They can't mail results, but can email them...

Is Enterolab the only Lab that does this type of testing??

On another note, after the first of the year Enterolab will be add corn and other foods to their testing Menu...

[ravenwoodglass]

Can they use FedEX? Another alternative might be to see if you can find an allergist who will guide you through an elimination diet. Or you could drop the suspect items for a couple of weeks to a month and then challenge them one at a time for a week or so to see if you react.

[Lisa]

Interesting? I wonder if complaints were filed in those states or perhaps a commerce violation? Was there an explanation?

I must say $568.00 is an astounding amount of money.

[captaincrab55]

Interesting? I wonder if complaints were filed in those states or perhaps a commerce violation? Was there an explanation?

I must say $568.00 is an astounding amount of money.

It was my understanding (by phone) that they don't have some type of Business License to do Business with people in MD & NY... They were notified by both States to cease business until they get the license and they don't plan on getting it at this time.. They did tell me how to beat the issue, but I needed to cross State lines.. That being said, now I wonder if my Ins could refuse payment.. That would hurt since I need to pay up-front.. I do have a hearing problem, so don't hold me to that word for word...

[Lisa]

It was my understanding (by phone) that they don't have some type of Business License to do Business with people in MD & NY... They were notified by both States to cease business until they get the license and they don't plan on getting it at this time.. They did tell me how to beat the issue, but I needed to cross State lines.. That being said, now I wonder if my Ins could refuse payment.. That would hurt since I need to pay up-front.. I do have a hearing problem, so don't hold me to that word for word...

There are other companies who will do allergen testing, which may be a bit more consistent with an insurance claim. Will check it out.

[Lisa]

There are other companies who will do allergen testing, which may be a bit more consistent with an insurance claim. Will check it out.

Found this and it's worth the read:

Open Original Shared Link

[captaincrab55]

Can they use FedEX? Another alternative might be to see if you can find an allergist who will guide you through an elimination diet. Or you could drop the suspect items for a couple of weeks to a month and then challenge them one at a time for a week or so to see if you react.

As far as FedEX, Enterolab won't cross State Line in Md with any paper trail, but they will email (go figure)...

As far as an Allergist, I saw one @ Johns Hopkins last February... For the $$$ I spent there and losing a days wage, I could of paid Enterolab full out of pocket.. It took 4 months to get the appointment, I showed up and he didn't want to see me after I filled out why I was there... I had to raise heck to be seen and I was PO-ed @ that point after taking off work.... My wife thought that they were going to get me locked up, but I did get seen... The Doc only considered food to be an allergy issue if it caused a breathing problem and wanted me to see a GI.. All my life Doctors would look at my eyes and say I had allergy and couldn't have a house pet... I was tested for dust, pollen, pets, etc, but no foods... Most issues with what I was tested for had stopped with a gluten-free diet... I got a house dog 1 month after start the gluten-free diet and didn't have any issues.. I've tried the elimination, without any luck... If I found another lab that could do the same testing as Enterlab and in the same network as my Health Plan, my out of pocket would most likely be under $50....

[captaincrab55]

Found this and it's worth the read:

Open Original Shared Link

Lisa, Some read with blurry eyes.. I'll re-read it in the morning with clear eyes..

Thanks

[ravenwoodglass]

As far as FedEX, Enterolab won't cross State Line in Md with any paper trail, but they will email (go figure)...

As far as an Allergist, I saw one @ Johns Hopkins last February... For the $$$ I spent there and losing a days wage, I could of paid Enterolab full out of pocket.. It took 4 months to get the appointment, I showed up and he didn't want to see me after I filled out why I was there... I had to raise heck to be seen and I was PO-ed @ that point after taking off work.... My wife thought that they were going to get me locked up, but I did get seen... The Doc only considered food to be an allergy issue if it caused a breathing problem and wanted me to see a GI.. All my life Doctors would look at my eyes and say I had allergy and couldn't have a house pet... I was tested for dust, pollen, pets, etc, but no foods... Most issues with what I was tested for had stopped with a gluten-free diet... I got a house dog 1 month after start the gluten-free diet and didn't have any issues.. I've tried the elimination, without any luck... If I found another lab that could do the same testing as Enterlab and in the same network as my Health Plan, my out of pocket would most likely be under $50....

When we are trying to see an allergist we really need to ask over the phone if they deal with just allergies, like the doctor you saw, or if they will deal with intolerances which are different. If you try the allergist route again ask before making the appointment if they will guide people through an elimination diet. I had to call at least 10 before I found one.

Do be sure to keep in mind that most allergy tests are just that, allergy tests, and they will not pinpoint an intolerance. A wheat, rye or barley allergy is quite different from what we deal with and blood testing for allergies won't pick up the intolerance reaction.

[captaincrab55]

When we are trying to see an allergist we really need to ask over the phone if they deal with just allergies, like the doctor you saw, or if they will deal with intolerances which are different.

My Doctor sent me there telling me that this Allergist was one of the best in his field.. There wasn't any chance to ask a question... It took several days of calling just to leave a message.. They called back when I wasn't available, and my wife was able to make the first available appointment for me (4 months away).. It was almost another month before the next available one... I only got my appointment when I did because of a cancellation... Yes or No, do you want this appointment, if yes forms will be sent out... If forms weren't returned in a short window, the appointment was canceled.. Opportunity to ask questions wasn't an option @ that Allergist... That won't happen again...

I'm now wondering why Enterolab was stopped from doing business in Md & NY ?? Anybody here ever run into this before?? Anybody in Md or NY ever get tested before Enterolab was ordered to cease business in those States??

[ravenwoodglass]

Anybody in Md or NY ever get tested before Enterolab was ordered to cease business in those States??

I did. I live in NY. NY is one of the most expensive states to live in the Union.

You pay taxes and fees for everything but breathing and I am sure soon they will figure out a way to charge for that. And those taxes and fees are very, very high.