Panorama/Harmony test question

LikeICantEven · April 2016

So, I'm a bit confused on this works. I did speak to a Nurse at my OB's office regarding the genetic testing they offer in house, she said I don't qualify for it as I'm not over 35 and have no real family history of genetic disorders as far as we know. She said I could look into it with my insurance company but the test they use, it would be about $1,000 when all was said and done.

However, my husband's side of the family is a bit more vague, I don't really trust my MIL's recollections of their side's history and DH and I would like to get this done. I'm unclear when looking at Panorama's website, do they have to have my OB's permission for me to order this test? I don't really get this process. Can I not just order a test and have it sent home or to a contracted lab or something? I don't really understand why my OB even has to be involved in this process, it's non-invasive, unless I'm missing some key element here. It seems like they only want me to use the test they use in their office, which seems over priced and I can get a better deal direct to lab.

Any advice would be appreciated.

CherryPicked · April 2016

It sounds like your insurance might not cover the test. I recommend asking what the cost would be if insurance will not pay - often there is a large discount on the testing if insurance will not cover it and you are paying out-of-pocket.

LikeICantEven · April 2016

@cherrypicked I didn't actually run it through my insurance yet. I do mean to email the Harmony/Panorama test customer service reps but it just looks like they keep prompting for my OB's information, which I don't know why they need?

Greencows4812 · April 2016

My OB offered the test to everyone and said they haven't had trouble with any insurance not covering it. They said I would have to pay a small amount but that the company is really easy to work with and they have told my OBs office many times that they don't want money to be a reason people are getting the test.

CherryPicked · April 2016

My guess would be that a physician has to order the test. I hope you are able to get this figured out!

jrussell16 · April 2016

I actually just got off the phone with Harmony. If you call their billing line, they will get your insurance information and run it through their system to see if your insurance will cover it. Mine doesn't because I am not high risk, but they told me that they always try to bill it to insurance anyway, but even if my insurance denies the claim, the most I would pay out of pocket is $130. I would call them and ask. It took less than 5 minutes to get all of my financial questions answered. They would probably be able to answer your questions about lab vs. dr. They bill you directly so you really just need someone to take the blood for you and send it off to them.

LikeICantEven · April 2016

jrussell16 said:

I actually just got off the phone with Harmony. If you call their billing line, they will get your insurance information and run it through their system to see if your insurance will cover it. Mine doesn't because I am not high risk, but they told me that they always try to bill it to insurance anyway, but even if my insurance denies the claim, the most I would pay out of pocket is $130. I would call them and ask. It took less than 5 minutes to get all of my financial questions answered. They would probably be able to answer your questions about lab vs. dr. They bill you directly so you really just need someone to take the blood for you and send it off to them.

Thank you for this, I just spoke to them as well. Apparently I have to use an OB who is actually contracted with them, I can't order direct. LAME. I'm going to send a note to my nurse and ask for more info about the test they actually offer. Can't hurt to see what insurance would cover.

Thanks ladies!

muybueno · April 2016

I'm curious about an "in-house test." I was under the impression that you basically have two options- Harmony and Panorama. I'm also under the impression that most OB offices are contracted with one company or the other, so they offer either Harmony or Panorama. Could be wrong about that.

Panorama's patient info says that women over 35 have more risk factors but the test can be applied to a pregnant woman of any age. My OB/midwife group is really crunchy but they still offer Panorama happily (I'm 33 and have no known risk factors). In fact, they like it better than the NT scan because it's less invasive and more accurate. My insurance doesn't cover it, but my OB has a contract w Panorama to offer an OOP rate of $200.

Thewizardofrhythm · April 2016

@HomeyDontPlayThat I got the same answer. So frustrating. Although I didn't speak to billing.... Did you? I spoke to a representative.

Des321 · April 2016

What about the Sequential Screen? It includes an ultrasound around 12-14 weeks that measures the baby's nuchal translucency (someone correct me if I'm wording this wrong), as well as two blood tests. It tests for basically the same stuff the Harmony test looks for. I'm not sure if age is a factor in the requirements though. Might be worth asking? I did it with my son and my insurance covered it and I was not 30 (back then i had BCBS).

MollySm · April 2016

@muybueno -
I got MaterniT21 with my second daughter. This time I am through a new OB, and they call it an 'informed pregnancy screen' and it's through a company called Counsyl. So I think there are more than just the two, but I do think each doctor uses what they use.

I am over 35, so it's covered, but I would also see which company my doc uses and call them about insurance coverage and pricing without insurance. I'm sure your doc will order it for you as long as you understand it won't be covered.

Katemr1146 · April 2016

My OB initially said the same thing but I pushed it and insisted and she gave in. She's going to order it. Worth another phone call?

DunkinDecaf · April 2016

Thank you @HomeyDontPlayThatfor this thread! I've been wondering what specific questions to ask my OB as far as ordering genetic testing. Now I'm off to make a bunch of phone calls and figure this out!

AdmiralKitty · April 2016

My doc insisted that I do the nuchal translucency US and blood work associate with that screening but also gave me the option to do the NIPT testing in addition. I'm meeting them to discuss it on the 25th but they told me over the phone that it would only be $130 out of pocket if my insurance doesn't cover it (which it should according to the Anthem BCBC of Californa website).

muybueno · April 2016

AdmiralKitty said:

My doc insisted that I do the nuchal translucency US and blood work associate with that screening but also gave me the option to do the NIPT testing in addition. I'm meeting them to discuss it on the 25th but they told me over the phone that it would only be $130 out of pocket if my insurance doesn't cover it (which it should according to the Anthem BCBC of Californa website).I

Quote fail.

I'd be super interested to know why. Mine said I could do the NT scan instead, but that the Panorama was much faster, less invasive (no waves to the baby) and far more accurate. If the NT scan shows a marker for one of the genetic disorders, you have to follow up w additional testing to know whether it's accurate or not. And it tests for fewer things and is less accurate.

I have nothing against the NT scan- it's all I had with my boys and I'm not certain I'll be doing the NIPT testing this time around. I'm just curious as to why a doc would insist on the NT scan.

LikeICantEven · April 2016

muybueno said:

I'm curious about an "in-house test." I was under the impression that you basically have two options- Harmony and Panorama. I'm also under the impression that most OB offices are contracted with one company or the other, so they offer either Harmony or Panorama. Could be wrong about that.

Panorama's patient info says that women over 35 have more risk factors but the test can be applied to a pregnant woman of any age. My OB/midwife group is really crunchy but they still offer Panorama happily (I'm 33 and have no known risk factors). In fact, they like it better than the NT scan because it's less invasive and more accurate. My insurance doesn't cover it, but my OB has a contract w Panorama to offer an OOP rate of $200.

There are tests you can order online that deliver direct to your home. You give yourself the finger sticks and mail it off, it's legit, not the whole dollar store gender thing. The test they use at my OB is neither Harmony nor Maternit or Panorama, it's called something else I can't think of. I already heard back from my OB's with a phone number to give their Maternal Fetal Medicine dept. a call, which I will once DS stops hanging off me. Oy.

I agree that the NT test is really daunting, I wish things like this were more readily available, it's so less invasive and it feels more fool proof. I've heard horror stories of NT scans raising flags that didn't need to be because of U/S mistakes. I know nothing if fool proof but blood is more concrete in my mind than fixing two cursors on a screen to measure whatever. Just my opinion.

I did the Counsyl test last time with our son but that didn't reveal sex and the results took forever. It was $700 out of pocket back then.

leaseee · April 2016

I just wanted to throw it out there that the NT scan CAN catch things other than what NIPT tests for. It doesn't mean a whole lot that early, but at least some anatomical issues can be seen.

AdmiralKitty · April 2016

@muybueno she said because I was low risk and only 30yo that the NIPT was completely unnecessary and that she wanted me to do the standard screening (NT US and blood work). Doing the NIPT was what both my husband and I insisted we wanted to do and were willing to pay for it ourselves so she ordered it as well. She wasn't against it, just said with my risk factors and age that it wasn't necessary and she'd personally rather see the results from the NT US over the NIPT. I guess it was mostly just personal preference on her part.

muybueno · April 2016

AdmiralKitty said:

@muybueno she said because I was low risk and only 30yo that the NIPT was completely unnecessary and that she wanted me to do the standard screening (NT US and blood work). Doing the NIPT was what both my husband and I insisted we wanted to do and were willing to pay for it ourselves so she ordered it as well. She wasn't against it, just said with my risk factors and age that it wasn't necessary and she'd personally rather see the results from the NT US over the NIPT. I guess it was mostly just personal preference on her part.

Yeah but what results? I would understand if NIPT were more invasive and thus deemed unnecessary because of your low risk factors. But it's less invasive, even if it doesn't test for more conditions. I'm sorry if I'm being difficult. It's new to me and I'm trying to understand the differences between OB recommendations.

Second quote fail of the day...

AdmiralKitty · April 2016

Not sure why- I didn't really question it because I insisted on doing both. (I like to have as much information as possible in all aspects of life, so why not with my baby too?) I'll certainly ask when I see her next. I do the NIPT on April 25th and the NT US/ appt with my OB on May 5th.

AdmiralKitty · April 2016

If she had fought me on the NIPT I certainly would have questioned it but because it was an "and" situation I didn't. Sorry I don't have more info now!

NatashaSprout · April 2016

My OB gave me a test kit. Told me to call the number and set up a blood draw. I know it's covered cause I am an old hag apparently but he seemed pretty removed from the whole process. He also gave me a giant bag of prenatal samples. Had the be about 20 different samples in there. I felt like I left with an over sized Ipsy bag for pregnant women.

jolydan · April 2016

***lurker***
I know some OBs are reluctant to prescribe them to non high risks patients because they get scolded by the labs. There's still a limited number of labs doing the tests and the compagnies want to be able to give results within 10 business days. Because lots of people want to have the test done only to find out the sex of their baby early it kind of cause backup in the processing of the results. This is why it's offer to AMA or high risks patients.
It's kind of messed up that lots of people are calling it the "sex test or gender test" because it's not the purpose of it. No one will die of waiting and extra 8 weeks to find out at the anatomy scans!

MollySm · April 2016

With my second daughter they recommended the MaterniT21, at the same time as the NT scan. This time, with a different doctor, she said you don't do both, just one or the other. Which I am okay with, I just have always heard of them being done together. Is this something new?

muybueno · April 2016

leaseee said:

I just wanted to throw it out there that the NT scan CAN catch things other than what NIPT tests for. It doesn't mean a whole lot that early, but at least some anatomical issues can be seen.

Do you know what those things are? Too lazy to Google...

leaseee · April 2016

muybueno said:

leaseee said:

I just wanted to throw it out there that the NT scan CAN catch things other than what NIPT tests for. It doesn't mean a whole lot that early, but at least some anatomical issues can be seen.

Do you know what those things are? Too lazy to Google...

https://www.chop.edu/conditions-diseases/skeletal-dysplasias#.Vw1h03HyuUk

I would think even specific skeletal problems that aren't related to an overall diagnosis could potentially be visible, like a club foot.

LikeICantEven · April 2016

jolydan said:

***lurker***
I know some OBs are reluctant to prescribe them to non high risks patients because they get scolded by the labs. There's still a limited number of labs doing the tests and the compagnies want to be able to give results within 10 business days. Because lots of people want to have the test done only to find out the sex of their baby early it kind of cause backup in the processing of the results. This is why it's offer to AMA or high risks patients.
It's kind of messed up that lots of people are calling it the "sex test or gender test" because it's not the purpose of it. No one will die of waiting and extra 8 weeks to find out at the anatomy scans!

I totally agree with this, I get it. The gender is a bonus of course, but after a recent convo with my MIL she was hesitant to give details about family medical history. I know there were some late term losses, a stillbirth, that kind of thing but she avoided giving me any details. She's old school and probably sees it as bad form to discuss, I see it as selfish as f*ck to not give information that might help her son and future grandchild. Let alone ME, her DIL, which would be helpful since I'm the one actually carrying the baby. She told me once she had 7 losses before DH came along at age 38. You'd think she would understand the necessity to divulge.

comealongponds · April 2016

muybueno said:

leaseee said:

I just wanted to throw it out there that the NT scan CAN catch things other than what NIPT tests for. It doesn't mean a whole lot that early, but at least some anatomical issues can be seen.

Do you know what those things are? Too lazy to Google...

My guess would be open neural tube defects (eg spina bifida, anencephaly etc).

muybueno · April 2016

HomeyDontPlayThat said:

jolydan said:

***lurker***
I know some OBs are reluctant to prescribe them to non high risks patients because they get scolded by the labs. There's still a limited number of labs doing the tests and the compagnies want to be able to give results within 10 business days. Because lots of people want to have the test done only to find out the sex of their baby early it kind of cause backup in the processing of the results. This is why it's offer to AMA or high risks patients.
It's kind of messed up that lots of people are calling it the "sex test or gender test" because it's not the purpose of it. No one will die of waiting and extra 8 weeks to find out at the anatomy scans!

I totally agree with this, I get it. The gender is a bonus of course, but after a recent convo with my MIL she was hesitant to give details about family medical history. I know there were some late term losses, a stillbirth, that kind of thing but she avoided giving me any details. She's old school and probably sees it as bad form to discuss, I see it as selfish as f*ck to not give information that might help her son and future grandchild. Let alone ME, her DIL, which would be helpful since I'm the one actually carrying the baby. She told me once she had 7 losses before DH came along at age 38. You'd think she would understand the necessity to divulge.

Lame! I wonder if she'd divulge more if you got a full list of concerning conditions from your OB and kinda went through it with her. Or maybe even emailed it to her and she could type things in, so she didn't have to talk about them out loud. Maybe she's dealing with some emotional issues related to the family medical history, and paper is less daunting than a phone convo?

MrsV55 · April 2016

My Dr said that they would do whichever test I want, I would have to pay about $100 out of pocket for the NIPT, and that it was not necessary since I am under 35 and low-risk. He said they aren't offering it as standard-of-care for everyone yet because the initial purpose of it and all of the research was done for women over the age of 35 and/ or high risk. So they aren't sure what that means as far as using it on everyone and it benefiting low risk patients any more than the NT test. Especially since there are some things it wouldn't show that would show up on the NT. But he did say that a lot of money is going into more research for these tests and that at some point in the next few years they will likely become routine for everyone. Soooo, I have an appt in a month for the NT but he told me if I change my mind they can cancel the ultrasound appt and just do the bloodwork that day for the NIPT. At least they're flexible

I'm just not sure which one I want to do.

shamrocandroll · April 2016

@MrsV55 They wouldn't offer both? I would think each one has it's merits, and neither one covers everything that doing both would cover. I'm asking my OB about paying out of pocket for Harmony and still having the u/s done for things that wouldn't be covered by Harmony.

LikeICantEven · April 2016

Thewizardofrhythm said:

@HomeyDontPlayThat I got the same answer. So frustrating. Although I didn't speak to billing.... Did you? I spoke to a representative.

The rep is the one who told me I absolutely had to go through an OB office who used them.

MrsV55 · April 2016

shamrocandroll said:

@MrsV55 They wouldn't offer both? I would think each one has it's merits, and neither one covers everything that doing both would cover. I'm asking my OB about paying out of pocket for Harmony and still having the u/s done for things that wouldn't be covered by Harmony.

They would probably be fine with that if I asked for it.

Meether · April 2016

Harmony's maximum out of pocket is $130 if you want to self-pay. With my deductible, it is $650, so I chose to do self pay. I ended up not paying for it because I worked for the company that owns them, but that is out of pure luck.

msu_gal · April 2016

My doctor's office uses Progenity Verifi instead of these tests- has anyone had any experience with that test?

lilwonder · April 2016

I had the Panorama done with my last pregnancy. I'm under 35 so insurance didn't cover it. My doctor is fill out the order form in her office and then gave me that + the kit to take to the lab. I was billed $150 by Panorama directly (after receiving a $2,000+ bill initially, calling them and explaining my insurance doesn't cover it).

ZoeFer · April 2016

Thanks for this thread and all the posts !! Does anyone know if the OOP amount changes between states or is the policy same in every state ?

GreenEyedUnicorn · April 2016

Maybe it just depends on your OB. I had a different doctors office for the boys than I have now, but I was offered the testing at both (we declined all three times).

Thewizardofrhythm · April 2016

@ZoeFer you're NY right? We have different rules according to Harmony.

Edit! Sorry mobile is hard

NatashaSprout · April 2016

I just made my appointment for Friday. They come to my home for the blood draw and will be doing the Panorama and Horizon test if that helps anyone.

Little+Tiny · April 2016

I called Panorama about it and they set everything up to get me tested on the 18th free of charge. I should get my results 25th or 26th of this month. I have no idea how I managed to do all that, but it seemed pretty easy. I went on the website and put my info in for someone to get back to me and they called me about 15 minutes later and asked me about carrier type stuff and since I have downs syndrome and some other thing (forget the name) I qualified and my insurance pays for all of it.

Want a personalized experience?

Panorama/Harmony test question

Re: Panorama/Harmony test question

Choose Another Board

Search Boards