Craig Mattice
Member
- Joined
- Jan 18, 2009
- Messages
- 16
- Reason
- PALS
- Diagnosis
- 10/2005
- Country
- US
- State
- VA
- City
- Richmond
A quick update. My neuro wished that I have them look into my new insurance company about paying for an Athenia genetic marker test to confirm or rule out Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia.
After waiting a month, I received a call from his office. The secretary has gotten a big run around and a lot of finger pointing between Lab Corp, and Optimum Choice/United Healthcare about paying for the test.
First off, the cost is about $7,000 of which I would have to agree in writing to pay over $1,000 out of pocket, get the test, THEN submit it for approval consideration with no guarantee insurance would pay.
Look, I'm not stupid and it is not that important to me to get this test as it is not going to improve my symptoms or progressive disability. I get the feeling it is more important in the mind of my neuro. If insurance isn't going to pay I sure the heck don't have the resources, much less the interest, to come up with the money out of pocket.
After all, my kids know all about this, the symptoms to be aware of, and the slight chance this may be genetic. I'm sure not going to expect them to get this testing, not the way this society and insurance companies exploit this knowledge. The results will follow them the rest of their lives and children's lives. To what end?
Any comments, advice, insight, experiences with this? I'm open to all.
After waiting a month, I received a call from his office. The secretary has gotten a big run around and a lot of finger pointing between Lab Corp, and Optimum Choice/United Healthcare about paying for the test.
First off, the cost is about $7,000 of which I would have to agree in writing to pay over $1,000 out of pocket, get the test, THEN submit it for approval consideration with no guarantee insurance would pay.
Look, I'm not stupid and it is not that important to me to get this test as it is not going to improve my symptoms or progressive disability. I get the feeling it is more important in the mind of my neuro. If insurance isn't going to pay I sure the heck don't have the resources, much less the interest, to come up with the money out of pocket.
After all, my kids know all about this, the symptoms to be aware of, and the slight chance this may be genetic. I'm sure not going to expect them to get this testing, not the way this society and insurance companies exploit this knowledge. The results will follow them the rest of their lives and children's lives. To what end?
Any comments, advice, insight, experiences with this? I'm open to all.