MaterniT21 PLUS - 10 week blood test

Sprite2012

I was informed today that 12 week ultrasounds are rarely done anymore....which is so sad.  Apparently AMA doesn't matter.  I think I've mentioned how much I enjoyed that u/s with DS.  I was told MaterniT21 (and other similar tests, i.e. Panorama, etc) are all done in lieu of the 12 week ultrasound.  I understand all doctors offices are different and insurance plays a big part of this in the US, but I'm curious what others heard.  Did you hear something similar?  Different?

On the bright side, we find out the sex before 12 weeks which is so crazy.  Less patience needed in a 2017 pregnancy.

Also, I'm sorry if I didn't post this in the correct designated thread.  I didn't see anything when I did a search of our BMB.

lap018

My doc still offered the 12 week ultrasound, I am getting one regardless because of my previous loss but I am going to opt for the progenity blood test (cell free DNA) he told me there was a chance it could give me a false positive for trisomy 13 since he had a patient experience that and he wanted me to think about it but he's doing the blood draw at my 12 week appt. it doesn't surprise me though just because the accuracy is better with the blood draw 

Sugargirl1019

My doctor doesn't do 12 week ultrasounds either if we don't do genetic blood testing, idk how they rule out Downs? I'm still so confused.

HollyGolightly09

My Dr doesn't do them either... I wish they did! I'm seriously considering going to an ultrasound place and paying to have one done that week. 

KMKaiser07

My doctor does the first trimester 12 week screen ultrasound and blood draw. She did offer me the cell free DNA test but we declined because it wasn't significantly more reliable than the first trimester screen and insurance doesn't cover the cell free DNA test. 

Texafornian

I have the NT scan and the genetic blood testing at my appointment on 2/28 at 11w.

i had both last time too and was at a different doc. 

Dont they automatically do the NT scan?? 

KMKaiser07

@Texafornian at my practice the NT scan is a choice, not something automatic. 

Texafornian

@KMKaiser07 fyi...something to check on if interested. My insurance has a high deductible so it'd be close to $1900 out of pocket if I went that route. I'm paying out of pocket and it's $150 for the blood genetics.
i think the MaterniT21 went through my insurance last time and they billed $2200 to me but when I called, it was $250 out of pocket. 

KMKaiser07

@Texafornian that sounds similar to what my doc told me. I think she ball parked the cell free DNA test to be about $250 out of pocket but she also didn't think we needed to do it being low risk and doing the first trimester screening. She said there wasn't a huge difference in the results of the two so we are just going with the first tri screen like we have in the past. 

Sprite2012

@Texafornian  Not anymore, according to what I was told today.  It's a "thing of the past" at my OB's office.

Sprite2012

@Texafornian  So did you withdraw the claim through insurance for the test then, to pay out of pocket?  I don't understand what you mean by you called and it went down to $250 out of pocket.  Sorry, just anticipating I'll be doing the same thing.

Texafornian

@sprite2012 I can't actually recall if the first one went through insurance or not but when I received the bill I about had a heart attack...especially because my OB told me it was a covered thing or discounted being over 35 (again, don't recall which).  I remember from some Bump posts that everyone was getting billed high but if you called the billing dept (of the testing people) they said you really only pay $250. So I paid that...not sure why they didn't just bill that to begin with. 
This time my doc asked about my deductible and said if they send it through insurance it'll be near $1900 but if I paid cash it was $150. 

Edited to say...doc mentioned something about the testing company requiring you pay the deductible...mine is 2k so it would've cost nearly the full amount had I sent it through insurance 

ke0009

I am having the 10 week genetic blood tests (in two weeks) and then after that there is a "neuro translucent ultrasound" (SP?) at 11-13 weeks - of course I am 39 and old (haha) so maybe that's why.... ;-)

LaceyC1020

I'm doing the Harmony blood test in a couple weeks. My OB said my insurance may cover it, but if not, their office does it for a flat fee of $350. But they're also doing an ultrasound to my understanding. I think it's because I'm going to the high risk office.

sableeg

My MFM is doing a NT scan and genetic testing at 11 weeks.  I don't know that my regular OB will be doing any additional scans at that point, but I'm very high risk so I think that's why my MFM is doing them.

Sugargirl1019

@sableeg I'm jealous.. I want to get mine to do that! I wonder if it's because I'm not seeing a MFM regularly.

sableeg

@Sugargirl1019 I've heard good things about the doctor you're seeing and how she specifically will honor requests within reason.  Have you asked her about getting the tests?  I would think with Type 1 that they would really want to monitor baby closely!

Sugargirl1019

@sableeg Thanks! I'll prob just send her a message to ask once dh and I talk and make up our minds!

sableeg

I definitely am not hating the additional ultrasounds!  I wish I wasn't so high risk, but I am very thankful for the opportunities to see this little one

BostonBaby1

Also with an MFM and getting both the NT scan and cfDNA.

SuperKristy85

My ob still does the 12 week ultrasound but won't if you've elected any of the blood tests instead .

JordanL1221

I'm having a really hard time choosing between the NT/sequential screen or the Harmony. I REALLY like that ultrasound. That's when it feels more "real".

atthemoment

Huh.. ds is 17m and i did the optional cell free dna test and they still did the NT scan..now i wonder if things have changed and i wont get the extra US either! The test was denied by my insurance but i never got a bill. I think they charged like 3k+ too

msashley2010-2

My ob office only does two ultrasounds. One for due date confirmation at 9 weeks and an anatomy scan between 18-20 weeks. 

It was similar to this with my last child. I'd like to see if I can get an ultrasound from an outside source earlier if I can to rule out any abnormalities. I would just like to have peace of mind. 

The do offer the genetic testing at my office. But I've known people who have gotten false positives and ended up having a completely healthy baby and spent their whole pregnancy under so much stress. 

I don't know much about all of the testing so I'm not sure what route is the best to take. 

Sprite2012

*Update* I did a lot of calling around. I live in a decent sized city with plenty of OB practices. I learned that the 12 week ultrasound isn't a "thing of the past", it's just not something that office does anymore. I found an office that considers all testing optional and I confirmed that the 12 week ultrasound isn't a duplicate test to the MaterniT21. Both can be done, if I want them. So, I switched practices and feel so much better about this whole thing. I might opt out of the blood tests. But I'm for sure doing the 12 week ultrasound.