I switched hospitals, I did my infertility treatments at one and even though I've been with my DH for 5 years they still did the full panel of tests including syphillis and HIV (why when I knew there was no risk I have no idea)
Then for my OB I switched hospitals which insisted on repeating the same tests.
My insurance which is usually amazing deemed these tests unnessecary (who can blame them) and I got to pay for both sets which was over $400 to find out nope, I still dont have HIV.
I have no risks for gestational diabetes, I'm under 25, active, white, not overweight, have no personal or family history and stay active. I dont eat high fat or high sugar foods which is what theyd suggest if I did have it. I cant get a straight answer from my insurance, but since I really dont have any risk factors it sounds as if the test wont be covered, but my OB still wants to do it-- I dont think its entirely nessecary. Can't we just test to see if I have sugar in my urine or a high glucose level first in my normal labs before we go all crazy doing the glucose screen?
EDIT: Its not that I'm against paying for the testing if its nessecary for the babies health--but personally I can think of several more fun things to buy for the LOs than another test that I have no risk factors for--and really probably wouldnt alter my behaviors that much.
Re: Questions on Glucose Screen--prenatal tests
my read shelf:
I think the glucose test is pretty standard. I don't see why your insurance can't give you an answer ahead of time. But I can't think of anyone of my friends who didn't do the diabetes testing. At my doctors its not optional like the NT scan or something, its just done automatically at a certain week.
I also had to have all the blood work at 8 weeks, which I thought was pretty silly since it is my regular doctors office and I didn't have HIV or anything when i first started going there forever ago when i was still w/ my now husband (been together 9 years, married almost 3). But i guess they do it to cover their own butts cuz i can see where some people might not be truthful about their sex life (or may not know what their partner is up to) and they would rather be safe. My insurance paid the whole thing though so i had no issue w/ it. That really stinks you had to pay so much for that!! Seems like it is also pretty standard pregnancy testing.
I agree with the previous post that the glucose test is standard. I don't have any risk factors for GD, either, but every patient at my OB's office has to take the test between 24-28 weeks. You can still develop GD even if you don't have risk factors, so it's best to take it.
The hospital that I'm delivering at has a rule that you need to have an HIV test within 12 months of delivering. I don't know if it's for some kind of liability or what, but they did run the HIV and all other STD tests at my first OB visit. I haven't seen a bill for it, so assuming insurance covered.
And agree with PPs about the glucose test. I have friends that had GD and had no real risk factors.
The HIV testing is standard. My OB told me that our state law mandates that she test (or probably offer the test) to her pregnant patients at the first prenatal visit and again in 3rd tri. HIV is certainly associated with risky behaviors, but there are people who acquire it who did not engage in risky behavior (needlestick at work). I am sorry that your insurance didn't cover the second test.
As far as the GD screening goes, it became a universal test because the number of stillborn babies delivered by uncontrolled GD moms far outnumbers that of mothers with controlled GD/no GD. The "risk factors" were not enough to determine who would get GD and who wouldn't. There are many overweight, Hispanic moms who do not test positive and many normal weight, Caucasian moms who do. The screening test is necessary. Chances are that you will pass. Only 4% of pregnant women develop GD. This test should definitely be covered by your insurance company. Make sure that your OB orders it during 24-28 weeks, and that may increase the chance that your insurance will pay. GL!
We see a CPM (TM) who doesn't do the one hour screen. Instead she uses a glucometer and I write down my diet and test after meals for a week. You could ask your OB about doing something similar.
My baby is two!!! Baby girl 9/17/09
My other baby is still a baby! Baby Boy 11-30-11