Maternit21/DNA testing

deanna5776 · October 2013

Hi ladies.... Quick background for ya... I am 37 and this is my 1st child...hubby is 39 and 1st child.....I have 1 sister who has 1 son that was born with spina bifida as a total shock to all of us.. I am 12 1/2 weeks pregnant and had my 1st appt on oct 3rd at 9 weeks with bloodwork drawn and ultrasound to confirm....got to see the heartbeat and everything I also had an appt on oct 24th with an ultrasound to confirm due date and baby growth... My dr has us scheduled to meet with the genetic councilor on Tuesday to decide if I wanna do the maternit21 testing.... My question is...Shouldn't I have been giving my number to know how at risk I might be for downs etc before I can decide if I wanna pay for this testing? It's not covered by insurance????? Or does this testing give you the numbers telling you how at risk you are.....confused a bit I guess

Guennie · October 2013

You don't know your risk until you have the testing done, that's what the testing is for- to give you a personal risk assessment beyond statistics based on your age.

Ask your ins if they cover the basic quad screen, a lot of them do. Or I know some of the ladies on here got the cost lowered for Mat21 since ins did not cover it. Hopefully they can chime in and give you some advice if you want to go that route.

Congrats on your pregnancy!

lizardknitter · October 2013

MaternT21/Harmony testing gives you a positive/negative result. So you either have a baby with a chromosomal issue or you don't. The quad screen and nuchal translucency test give you a ratio. You can find out your ratio, because it's solely age based, by googling. The ratio either increases or decreases (again we are just talking about when using the NT scan and quad screen) based on the size of the nuchal fold and your individual blood test results. Those results are still just a ratio and, for example, if your individual test reflects a 1:250 or a 1:10,000 result, you can still be that 1 mom. HTH

Naniebeans · October 2013

Also an FYI about the quad screen. You automatically screen positive for Down syndrome if you are 35. Got a lovely heart attack two weeks ago because they didn't let me know before the blood draw. The genetic counselor called to explain so I wouldn't freak out when I saw the positive result. Your ratio goes down or up with your blood results and a/s scan.

jbelle · October 2013

Veganlady said:

I'm thinking about these same things too, and vascillating between Materniti21 and amnio. The Mat21 only screens three chromosomes and can't tell you about things like spina bifida. I believe amnio can. I think I'm going to consult with a peri to help figure out exacty what is right for me.

This is my understanding, as well.

We did the Verifi test (same idea as MaterniT21) and the Anatomy Scan. Verifi just tests for three major chromosomal anomalies. Based on the results of the A/S, we did not do the Alpha Fetoprotein testing. It is my understanding that the measurement of AFP is sort of like the NT Scan as far as they use those results along with your age and a few other factors to calculate a slightly more accurate risk assessment, but it's not 99% accurate like the blood test.

FWIW, our genetic counselor went over our risk based on age (I'm 37 as well). For all chromosomal abnormalities, it's 1/75 (about 1.5%) with a live birth rate of 1/140. For down syndrome, it's 1/166 with a live birth rate of 180. (The difference in risk from earlier in pregnancy to live birth is based on natural pregnancy loss of pregnancies with chromosomal abnormalities.)

According to this same information sheet, Amnio detects 99.5% of pregnancies with spina bifida or anencephaly.

I would hope your meeting with your genetic counselor will answer most of your questions. If you can, I recommend getting the counselor's contact information. We were emailing with our counselor for weeks after and she was incredibly helpful and very prompt in getting back to us.

It was also very reassuring how low the risks actually associated with amnio and CVS were at my hospital.

kw42775 · October 2013

I called Sequenom (the MaterniT21 company) and spoke with customer service. They told me if my insurance didn't cover it, they would lower my bill to $200.

imatarb · October 2013

I opted for the Harmony/MaterniT21, and as mentioned earlier, it will tell you positive/negative for trisomy 13, 18, and 21 (Downs). For the neural tube defects, simply do the quad screen for that alone.

Krisd6 · October 2013

I saw my OB today and she discussed these tests. Because I am 38- insurance will cover for me to have this done. I have Aetna and called to make sure- they said it was covered. I'm only 9 weeks- next week I'm having the blood work drawn for the Mat21 but I have to wait until mid November for the NT scan. They told me it takes two weeks for the Mat21 results. For the NT scan, a perinatologist will review the results with me that day at the end of the scan.
It is so nerve wracking. Waiting is the worst part.

I wish you the best of luck. :-)

deanna5776 · October 2013

I ended up getting my blood drawn for the maternit21 today. 8-10 business days and if all goes according to plan it should only cost me $200 out of pocket....fingers crossed all goes well

Mac&Kso · October 2013

Fingers, toes and eyes crossed for you!

shaunamw · November 2013

Do you think it is strange my OB did not offer the Mat21 test. She only offered the nuchal translucency test or the amnio. I have another appt tomorrow so maybe I will bring it up.

Guennie · November 2013

shaunamw said:
Do you think it is strange my OB did not offer the Mat21 test. She only offered the nuchal translucency test or the amnio. I have another appt tomorrow so maybe I will bring it up.

Mine didn't offer it either. This is still a new test so a lot of OB/GYNs aren't on board yet. Not strange at all.

trixiekid1 · November 2013

I did MaterniT21 back in July, only took a week to get results. I am 44, it was something I did for my own peace of mind, my insurance, Blue Cross, paid it in full. Well, worth it, gives you definitive genetic results and I have been able to enjoy the rest of my pregnancy.

2ndGeneration · November 2013

My provider didn't offer it when I was pregnant in the spring (m/c in May) but is offering it this time. Not decided leaning towards not getting it though.

staticgirl77 · November 2013

iamkerryanne said:

I called Sequenom (the MaterniT21 company) and spoke with customer service. They told me if my insurance didn't cover it, they would lower my bill to $200.

I just called Sequenom this morning and they told me the same thing. I am trying to get it in writing though, as she also mention something about a 2762.00 bill (although I would only be responsible for the 200.00)... Just want to get all my bases covered so I don't get a BIG surprise

Gardenergirl131 · November 2013

My OB is recommending Harmon testing at 10 weeks. I am 36, hubby is 48. This is my first, his second. Neither of us have a family history. Right now I am on modified bed rest and pelvic rest for sub chorionic hemmorage. I am 7w3d. My thought today is what will that information do. A couple people told me I should consider termination if positive. Right now I am doing everything in my power to save this little one. I'm really leaning towards not testing and taking whatever comes my way. Thoughts?

lizardknitter · November 2013

Gardenergirl131 said:
My OB is recommending Harmon testing at 10 weeks. I am 36, hubby is 48. This is my first, his second. Neither of us have a family history. Right now I am on modified bed rest and pelvic rest for sub chorionic hemmorage. I am 7w3d. My thought today is what will that information do. A couple people told me I should consider termination if positive. Right now I am doing everything in my power to save this little one. I'm really leaning towards not testing and taking whatever comes my way. Thoughts?

Only because you asked. What's wrong with knowing? Knowing doesn't equal termination. Knowing allows you to choose an OB who is well versed in delivering babies with issues. Knowing let's you select a hospital with staff and equipment tailored to your baby's needs. Knowing lets you have a celebration in the face of what some might consider "bad news" instead of being shocked and dismayed when delivery and your newborn aren't what everyone expected. Just my opinion.

JojoCTNY · November 2013

I am 37, almost 38, and I was pleasantly surprised when the genetic counselor described the MaterniT21 test to me. Like others have said, I was told if it is not covered by insurance, the most out-of-pocket cost would be $200. For us, we felt that was a small price to pay for the information the results provide, and since my results were normal, I will now choose to avoid amnio or CVS testing. A bonus was that we found out gender through the blood test results (although I realize not everyone wants to know). I have other friends over 35 and their OBs did not mention this test, so I feel lucky that it was offered to me.

deanna5776 · November 2013

Finally got my results on Wednesday......

All results were normal negatives!!!!!!!! So it took about 6 business days to get the results

And its a BOY!!!!!!!

I was expecting girl and really wanted girl but I am thrilled with healthy and boy!!!!

Now I just have to get through the next hurdle of AFP testing for my Spina Bifida history

Thanks for all the advice ladies!!!!!

QOTR · November 2013

Congratulations on your healthy baby boy!

Guennie · November 2013

Congrats! Glad to hear the great results!

StephPV · November 2013

@Staticgirl77 I originally looked a my EOB for Sequenom and thought I would have had to pay around $2300 after insurance contracted discount. I waited for the bill to come though and it is only for $200 as you indicated. There is an additional "patient assistance write off" for $2100. Looks like it actually came from my insurance co.

Never so happy to see a $200 bill!

coco62014 · November 2013

staticgirl77 said:

iamkerryanne said:

I called Sequenom (the MaterniT21 company) and spoke with customer service. They told me if my insurance didn't cover it, they would lower my bill to $200.

I just called Sequenom this morning and they told me the same thing. I am trying to get it in writing though, as she also mention something about a 2762.00 bill (although I would only be responsible for the 200.00)... Just want to get all my bases covered so I don't get a BIG surprise

Which number did you call for Sequenom, one from the website?

I am concerned as well because my insurance will cover the testing, but I have not reached my deductible yet. I can't be paying $2000 for the test. The doctors office of course doesn't have a straight answer for what it will be. I'm testing in 2 weeks

mrsjones06 · November 2013

For those of you who have already been billed...did the bill actually come from Sequenom/Verifi? Or was it from a lab? I had a blood draw by a lab (quest diagnostics) for this test back in June. Results came back normal thankfully but my insurance co (Aetna) has so far denied the $1995.00 claim saying they didn't get the proper code from the lab. The lab is supposed to be sending another copy of the requested documentation but neither Aetna nor the lab would send me a copy of what they're providing each other. I spent a frustrating hour on the phone with Aetna today & they were trying to tell me I'd owe my deductible ($500) + 20% of the remaining balance. I said 'so you're saying Aetna never covers this test, even in the case of AMA?" And her response was "well no, sometimes we do but I can't give you any indication of what coverage would be without the correct billing code." My Dr told me before taking the test that it would be covered...I realize now that I should've called my insurance co from the get-go but at this point I'm really frustrated with the whole process & the fact that no one can tell me what I'm going to owe. I haven't received a bill yet but was trying to confirm what I was going to owe since it's nearing the end of the year & I'm trying to plan flex spending, deductibles, etc & know I will have hospital bills coming up soon.

I haven't been able to update my signature for some reason but I'm 33 wks pg with my 3rd child & 36 yrs old.

lizardknitter · November 2013

My insurance didn't cover. I got one bill for $200 from Sequenom.

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