s/o -- BRCA testing
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Anonymous
| Do any of the insurance companies through the federal government cover testing for BRCA 1 and 2? |
Anonymous
| I've had this done through MDIPA. |
Anonymous
| Do ask carefully what they will cover and not cover. It's a very expensive test; I imagine you have to ask for pre-clearance. I do not have breast cancer but my mother has now had it three times. My gyn. suggested that my mother get the BRCA instead of me because Medicare would cover a much larger percentage of this test than my insurance policy would. Just make sure you dot the "i's" and cross the "t's" and GET IT IN WRITING from the insurance company before the test. |
Anonymous
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When I had breast cancer I did the testing through Georgetown (its pretty much where everyone in this area goes) and my insurance (not federal government) did cover it. If you have a living close relative who has had breast or ovarian cancer, PP is right that they are more likely to get covered.
There is a website for women with hereditary cancer -- I think the organization is FORCE. Its worth a google. |
Anonymous
| My Fed BCBS paid for it fully when my mother tested positive. |
Anonymous
yes, I have not had the test yet-but initially I was told no but we called and explained the circumstances-family history and was told I would be completely covered. If this is not preventative, what is? |
Anonymous
| Isn't there a concern about being uninsurable if you do have the mutation? |
Anonymous
I think pre existing conditions, which would include being high risk for a cancer, went out when Obama care came in. The big story now is that Big Phama want to claim complete ownership of the gene mutation that is used in the testing procedure. This monopoly over a gene mutation for the testing keeps the price very expensive (3K) I would assume. The Supreme court heard arguments a couple of weeks ago on intellectual property and the BRCA gene mutation. |
Anonymous
| Any time you have this kind of genetic testing you should have genetic counseling as part of the process. One of the things covered would be ramifications, including insurance, for the results so you have information when you make the decision to go ahead. |
Anonymous
| I had the test done at my OB's office in Dec. before my deductible re-started. I have a family hx so I believe it was covered more than if I did not. I still had to pay nearly 700 for it but the good news is that the company that does the testing (MYRIAD) calls you if the test is going to cost more than 350 out of pocket AND offers a 24 month no interest payment option. |
Anonymous
Yes. I recently got a referral for genetic couseling session at GU. My maternal grandmother died from ovarian cancer at 31 years old (and had 3 small children). Thankfully, my mom is 69 and never been diagnosed with cancer. She has 2 biological brothers so we don't have other female history in her family. My sister hasn't either. My father did have colon and kidney cancer. Thankfully, caught early. He is an only child. Colon and ovarian are sometimes to related. GYN said there were enough different links to justify a referral for teh counseling if I want. My grandmother's ovarian at such a young age has freaked the hell out of me my whole life. There is just not adequate testing and I had to fight to even get an ultrasound when I was having some symptoms. I will admit--I have a background in genetics so I am fascinated about learning about my genes. I also had my kids at 35 and 38 so I want to be around as long as possible. I feel if I know there is some precursor I can at least get more preventive testing covered. |
Anonymous
| I'm so curious about this because my mother died of ovarian cancer and my OBGYN just gave me a long explanation of why genetic testing is not worthwhile - basically unless I have my mother's DNA to test as well, it's not useful? This seems rather odd to me. It just so happened that I had my annual ultrasound today and I figured I'd take the next step. I'm trying to track down my mother's medical records now, but if anyone can offer feedback on the GU genetics counseling or other options, I'd be grateful because I might do it anyway. My maternal cousin had colon cancer, and like the PP I've been told that there can be a connection between them. |
Anonymous
You got it in your doctor's office? Wow, I've never heard of this. For the BRCA? I was told by my gyn to go to INOVA Fairfax. There's a pre-"surgery" consultation, then the procedure, then another consultation when the results are back in. In other words, they treat it like AIDS. And it was $3000 at the time I was looking to have it done (I'm the poster who got her mother to do it, but she did it only when the breast cancer returned). My insurance wouldn't cover it. My information is stale, though. Has anyone else had it done in the physician's office? I thought they took a tiny bit of flesh for examination . . . . |
Anonymous
Hi, I am the pp. I am so sorry about your mother. Where is your OB located? My OB/GYn is at GU too. I don't know if that helped. He is also on the young side. I was discussing the book "Emperor of All Maladies' and discussing cancer in general with him and I told him how I was always worried about the ovarian connection. He said he could justify the testing. I am not sure why your OB told you they need your mother's DNA. That does not make sense. They are not doing a paternity test. They can look at your genes and see if you have the BRAC mutation. They may not know where it came from--mother or father's side, etc. They can definitely tell if you have BRACmutations with or without your mom's DNA. They only need your sample. Your OB sounds like she missed the genetics course in college. It sounds like they are denying referral for insurance reasons. BS. I would push for it. A mother with ovarian cancer is a valid reason for ordering genetic counseling/testing. |
Anonymous
And this poster is right on the money. My gyn. didn't want me to have the test because "Yes", that result (if positive) will be in your charts forever. So bye-bye insurance: they can just keep upping my payments until I exhaust and throw in the towel. Gyn. was also worried about the security risk. She's very concerned that all of our records will be accessible at the flip of a switch Even if Obama gets something through about forcing insurancy companies to take you with "preexisting conditions", the insurance company can ding you for a myriad of other reasons. And the insurance company can demand as much money as they want. It's still a free market out there. You can't force a private insurance company to take me on if they don't want to. |