Let's talk about the Mat21 test.

BirdieToldMe

Mobile Users: Let's talk about the Mat21 test.

My NT scan is tomorrow.  As of right now, I don't think I'm going to do the Mat21 test.  I'm pretty sure it wasn't even around for my first two kids so it's all new to me.  I didn't even do the NT scan with DD.

Break it down for me ... if my NT scan comes back great, what would be a reason some people would still want the Mat21?  Is it just amazingly accurate as far as Trisomy goes? We're Team Green so I don't care about finding out the sex.  

IF there are abnormal results on the NT scan, there are a number of options for further testing, from what I understand.  I think Mat21 is the newest and most accurate option for further testing so I would just do that, right?  

If you are having it done, are you paying $200-something?  There's been a lot of disagreement on TB over whether this test is $1,000 dollars (OOP) and only covered if it seems warranted (due to abnormal NT scan and/or age).  Others say that you should run it through insurance, have them deny it, then the company that provides the Mat21 test will lower their cost to $235 or some number like that.  Does that sound correct?

I know this subject is getting old.  I just don't think I'm fully understanding the benefits of this particular test.  Should I just be satisfied with the NT scan?  FWIW, I'm 33 years old.  TIA! 

peanutmuse

BirdieToldMe:

If you are having it done, are you paying $200-something?  There's been a lot of disagreement on TB over whether this test is $1,000 dollars (OOP) and only covered if it seems warranted (due to abnormal NT scan and/or age).  Others say that you should run it through insurance, have them deny it, then the company that provides the Mat21 test will lower their cost to $235 or some number like that.  Does that sound correct?

This is what our genetics counselor told me. 

cpm1223

When we met with the genetic counselor right before out NT scan, she said that if the blood work came back with results like 1 in 300 then they would have me do the Mat21 test to narrow the results down more.

If your NT scan and blood work come back within a "normal" range they it's likely that you won't need any more testing done. If they come back with a higher percentage/risk then they might do more testing.

I'm not sure about the pricing...

I think once you get the combo of the measurements from the u/s and the blood work, you'll either feel comfortable with not testing, or you'll want to go ahead with the more in depth Mat21 testing.

katags

I had the test done because the NT scan wasn't able to be performed. Uterus was set too far back and an uncooperative baby. I don't think it'd be necessary to do both unless there is an abnormal scan. At that point though, you may choose to do a more invasive test like a cvs or amnio. That would be something your doctor could help you decide depending on the NT scan results.

I cannot speak to the price as my dr said they'd code it so insurance would cover it since they couldn't fit me in for a 2nd NT scan attempt. But if my NT scan came back with a very low probability I wouldn't have gotten the Mat21.

BirdieToldMe

peanut+muse:

BirdieToldMe:

If you are having it done, are you paying $200-something?  There's been a lot of disagreement on TB over whether this test is $1,000 dollars (OOP) and only covered if it seems warranted (due to abnormal NT scan and/or age).  Others say that you should run it through insurance, have them deny it, then the company that provides the Mat21 test will lower their cost to $235 or some number like that.  Does that sound correct?

This is what our genetics counselor told me. 

I'm wondering if the company will confirm that.  (I'm forgetting the name of the most popular company that offers this test.)  I'm willing to spend $235 if I get unfavorable results at the NT scan but $1,000-something will hurt.  

stellar77

I just went in Friday for my testing. (I opted out of the NT Scan because I went straight for the Mat21 test - I'm 35.)

Both the Genetics Counselor & Dr. informed me that by Texas laws the lab will bill me for the test. If the insurance doesn't cover it to call the Lab back and we will come out of pocket no more than 200.00. 

 

peanutmuse

BirdieToldMe:

peanut+muse:

BirdieToldMe:

If you are having it done, are you paying $200-something?  There's been a lot of disagreement on TB over whether this test is $1,000 dollars (OOP) and only covered if it seems warranted (due to abnormal NT scan and/or age).  Others say that you should run it through insurance, have them deny it, then the company that provides the Mat21 test will lower their cost to $235 or some number like that.  Does that sound correct?

This is what our genetics counselor told me. 

I'm wondering if the company will confirm that.  (I'm forgetting the name of the most popular company that offers this test.)  I'm willing to spend $235 if I get unfavorable results at the NT scan but $1,000-something will hurt.  

Sequenom does the Mat21 test.

Ariosa (ariosadx) does the Harmony test, which is essentially the same thing.

BirdieToldMe

stellar77:

I just went in Friday for my testing. (I opted out of the NT Scan because I went straight for the Mat21 test - I'm 35.)

Both the Genetics Counselor & Dr. informed me that by Texas laws the lab will bill me for the test. If the insurance doesn't cover it to call the Lab back and we will come out of pocket no more than 200.00. 

Interesting.  I'm north of Dallas.  I guess I could call Sequenom and have them verify this.  I would not want to be surprised by an enormous bill.  Hopefully the NT scan will come out great and all of this will be a moot point.  (I'm a Type-A person who likes to plan far in advance!)  

stellar77

BirdieToldMe:

stellar77:

I just went in Friday for my testing. (I opted out of the NT Scan because I went straight for the Mat21 test - I'm 35.)

Both the Genetics Counselor & Dr. informed me that by Texas laws the lab will bill me for the test. If the insurance doesn't cover it to call the Lab back and we will come out of pocket no more than 200.00. 

Interesting.  I'm north of Dallas.  I guess I could call Sequenom and have them verify this.  I would not want to be surprised by an enormous bill.  Hopefully the NT scan will come out great and all of this will be a moot point.  (I'm a Type-A person who likes to plan far in advance!)  

 Hey! I'm in Fort Worth! 

 Definitely call them if it will ease your mind. I had already knew of the cost & the probability of insurance covering/not covering it just by what I had read on this & the Pregnant after 35 board. (and calling Sequenom to get it knocked down)

Sure enough the Dr & Counselor both confirmed.

Lenox1975

The Maternit21 (or Harmony) has a 99% detection rate, whereas the NT with bloodwork has 85%.  The NT test also has a 5% false positive rate.

This is how my nurse put it: with the NT scan, out of 100 babies with down syndrome, 85 are detected. 

It depends on how you view statistics, how young you are, and what you'll do with the info.  I am 38 so my risks are much higher than women in their 20's. Based on my age, my risk is 1 in 100.

I had a unique situation where I did the Maternit21 which said I was clear for the three trisomies, but then we decided to do the NT scan as well.  The neck measurement came back great (1.2mm) but I had VERY low Papp-A from the bloodwork.  This resulted in my stated odds of downs being 1 in 58.  The Maternit21 trumps the NT scan in my book based on the detection rates, but we decided to go forward with the CVS to be 100% certain. 

BirdieToldMe

strudel82:

Can you request Mat21 though? My intended mother wants to, but I didn't have it with my twins so don't know too much about it. Nice that you can call to reduce the price if insurance denies it though.

I think anyone can request it; however, I read on the 2nd? Tri board about a mom who was told by Sequenom that they wouldn't run her test because there was no need to.  I think she had a good NT scan and/or she was in her 20s.  It was really interesting because no one had ever heard of them refusing to run the test.  She was prepared to pay OOP so the whole thing was weird.   

Kristinfm

We chose do do the Verifi test (another version of the Mat21 test) instead of doing the NT scan.  I called the company directly and they told me that the cost of the test is $1500.  If you are paying completely out of pocket (no insurance), they lower the cost to $900.  If they bill your insurance and it is denied (which I know it will be, as I called my insurance company and they only cover the test if you meet certain criteria), they appeal the denial 2 times and at that point they lower the price to $200.  So, I know that either my insurance will decide to cover it or I will have to pay $200.  This was worth it to me for a more straight-forward test with more accurate results.  

 

Kim&Jim

I am in north Dallas too! 

My OB said he would do the NT scan and if there was something abnormal, he would do the Mat 21.  He thinks it's too expensive for everyone to just be taking "just because" when there are other tests out there that are cheaper.

FWIW, I am 39 and expecting twins and he still feels that way.

He also stated that he has already heard the test being misused and abortions being performed because they sex of the baby wasn't what the couple wanted.  I cannot imagine...

nbbride06

I would suggest you call the company itself.  While I have read the Mat21 can cost in the $200 range, my OB doesn't do that test, but does the Harmony instead.  When I called, I was informed that even if my insurance wouldn't cover it (which they wouldn't), then it would cost me $1000 (it was actually $960 or something like that).  I opted not to do it unless I got unfavorable NT scan results (which thankfully I didn't.)

CaliCarly77

I did Mat21 and am doing the NT scan as well since its free with my insurance anyway. 

Here is what my girlfriend whose baby had Downs did:

Had the NT Scan and correlating blood work. Positive. She then had Mat21 to confirm, also positive. They wanted to be triple sure, since they decided to terminate, and did a CVS, which confirmed and was also positive. They then terminated. I don't wish this on anyone, she is really hurting from it all.