They say it's experimental. OTher DS people got theirs paid for. They must have better carriers than Aetna. If you're thinking of getting this test, check and see if it's covered first. I wish I had.
I think there might be some confusion in the tests....there are two..one is the scan and the other is a blood test. I know there are only several of these machines in the USA but it is a common diagnostic tool in Canada. The blood test which I had was covered by BC/BS and I don't think the blood test is very accurate.
right...the scan/imaging is called FibroScan - and is probably more accurate than the blood test (FibroTest or FibroSure). The blood test is highly accurate at the two ends of the spectrum - i.e. for ruling out or for confirming cirrhosis. It's the middle range 'gray areas' where it's not esp reliable. For a non-invasive assessment I'm told that a combination of tests will yield you the most accurate result; FibroSure PLUS the various mathematical tests such as APRI, FIB4, Forns, Lok, Hepascore. Put these all together - and they will collectively provide a very reliable 'snapshot' of your liver's condition.
Duke is doing a study with the fibroscan and biopsy comparing and there is another hospital in the NE. I bet when all orals come out and testing is more routine the days of liver biopsies will be gone as the 'gold standard.' Duke produced an article in 11/11. I scanned through it and it seems it is pretty good if you count in the blood work as well--which as greatly improved over the last few years as well.
In summary, this study demonstrates that a combination of serum and imaging noninvasive tests can be used for prediction of at least moderate-stage disease in a global cohort of patients with chronic HCV, including the potential of higher accuracy for the combination of FS and TE in Asian patients. Furthermore, some baseline differences in index values for both FS and TE were dependent on virological response and merit further evaluation in the context of IFN-based therapy.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3225094/
I hope this pulls up. I am bad at this:(
In summary, this study demonstrates that a combination of serum and imaging noninvasive tests can be used for prediction of at least moderate-stage disease in a global cohort of patients with chronic HCV, including the potential of higher accuracy for the combination of FS and TE in Asian patients. Furthermore, some baseline differences in index values for both FS and TE were dependent on virological response and merit further evaluation in the context of IFN-based therapy.