Myasthenia Gravis Support Group
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a neuromuscular disease leading to fluctuating muscle weakness and fatiguability. The hallmark of myasthenia gravis is muscle weakness that increases during periods of activity and improves after periods of rest. Although myasthenia gravis may affect any voluntary muscle, muscles that control eye and eyelid movement, facial expression, and...
I also placed this chat on the Mesitonin one I did, but thought I would put it under the test name as well.
I have a question about an anti musk antibody test. Did any of you have one of these? My neurologist ordered it as my other 3 blood tests came back negative and the insurance company (United Health/Medicare) turned it down and the cost is $1700.00. I guess it is a last ditch effort at diagnosing MG when all other tests are negative, but you have signs and symptoms of MG. I am going to call the University of Colorado Medical Center about this, as well as the insurance company, just wondering if anyone has experienced this.
Again, thanks so much.
I have a question about an anti musk antibody test. Did any of you have one of these? My neurologist ordered it as my other 3 blood tests came back negative and the insurance company (United Health/Medicare) turned it down and the cost is $1700.00. I guess it is a last ditch effort at diagnosing MG when all other tests are negative, but you have signs and symptoms of MG. I am going to call the University of Colorado Medical Center about this, as well as the insurance company, just wondering if anyone has experienced this.
Again, thanks so much.
I have Aetna and since I just had my antibodies retested, looked up the claim info. I can't tell which of these tests was for anti-MUSK (all of them say "RIA NONANTIBODY"), but they were billed at between $240-312 per antibody tested; the Aetna member rate (negotiated by insurance company) was $12 for two of the antibody tests and $240 for the third. So worst case scenario, even if your insurance company hasn't negotiated any discount, this test should be available for no more than $312. The lab that processed my blood was Quest Diagnostics, if that helps. I just checked and in CO they accept Medicare and accept, but are out of network for, United Health. (Your insurance may have a different provider that is typically cheaper, but $312 out of network is much more reasonable than $1700 in network!). You should definitely call your insurance company and/or the doctor who ordered the tests - sounds like they might have ordered it the wrong way (through a lab the insurance company doesn't support), or used the wrong code, or something. Unless I totally don't understand how lab test billing works (also possible). :)
I am on my second day of Mestinon and I do feel a bit better. Nothing earth shattering, but a few little things that we so annoying. Again thanks. Gawd, this board is a God send.