Tay Sachs Testing Question

Taryn.J

I went in for my 1st trimester blood work at the beginning of this year for my 3rd pregnancy (2nd was a mc) and when we saw the bill there was over 1k in genetic Tay Sachs testing on it!

 I called the Dr. to ask why they would have tested me and they said it was a standard prenatal test!  I asked them why they didn't test me on my first two pregnancies then and they said "they should have"...

I have reseached this disease and have found that Ashkenazi Jew, Eastern European, French Canadian, and Louisana Cajun decents are considered high risk and should be tested...but I'm Italian which is none of the above.

I have also found in my research that my Dr should have provided me genetic counceling before ordering the test if she thought I was a risk for carrying the allele.

To get to the point, anyone else been tested for this as part of "standard prenatal testing"? 

 

LJstars

I remember just the normal test like gestational diabeties, down sindrome, hiv, and iron levels.

526SadieSadie

The Tay Sachs test (among a ton of others for genetic disorders) were all optional tests for my doctor's practice. 

Ladiebug710

It isn't standard.  Many places it is standard to offer, but not for universal screening.

ebb7

My understanding is that any of the genetic tests are optional. Seems like your doctor is trying to get some extra money out of insurance! I would fight it...

slyrose123

That test was deff. optional! I am even Jewish and I opted out of this test. My husband is not Jewish and we have no history of this in my family. I find it very odd that they considered this a standard test that you HAD to have!!! 

mrsadamc 05

ebb7:

My understanding is that any of the genetic tests are optional. Seems like your doctor is trying to get some extra money out of insurance! I would fight it...

They already did the tests, I don't think you can not pay now.  

But for this pregnancy you can opt out of any and all genetic testing.  We chose not to test because it is not covered by our insurance and last time around we paid close to $800 out of pocket for the tests.  

judahsmommy1

I would fight it as well. That isn't "standard" especially for someone who isn't at risk for that genetic issue. I agree that the doctor is probably trying to get money out of your insurance. I would probably change doctors as well. I just would have a hard time trusting him after that.

*city bride*

It's not standard at all. I, personally, opted in for it, because my great grandfather was an Ashkenazi Jew, and I'm heavily Eastern European. Since much of my family records didn't survive Nazi Germany, I don't know what's in my family. Is your husband at risk for carrying the defect? And how much do you like your doctor? I'd be pist if my OB tested me for things without telling me why he was doing so. Genetic counceling, to me, is majorly important.. even if I wasn't at risk (bc I didn't even know I was before today!)