luckily, ER is free here so it doesn't cost me anything financially. I sent a letter of appeal to my doctor about the skin biopsy test asking her to reconsider her letter to insurance and to review ALL my symptoms. Appointment was so short I only got to talk about a couple of things. She reviewed all my symptoms and has said that she will send another letter to the insurance requesting that they cover the test. She also booked me in for another emg on Tuesday, a referral to another doctor? (message didn't indicate who) and is sending me for more bloodwork. I missed the phone call so I didn't get to ask any questions.

My insurance did not cover the test and said it was experimental, in their opinion.

If you don't mind me asking how much does the test cost out of pocket?

Mine was $321 for the first hole punch, $190 for the second hole punch, $558 for the immunochemistry analysis, and $1930 for the nerve analysis. I was seen at UW Hospital and they do all their biopsy analysis in-house unlike many hospitals that send their samples to Therapath.

My insurance contributed some money for the immunochemistry and the hole punches but won't contribute to the nerve analysis. I wish UW would have consulted with me first before they plowed ahead and did the testing. I will eventually pay them what I owe them, but I'm holding their feet to the fire a little bit and have asked them to explain to me as to why this wasn't a conversation up front.

Wow!! That's some serious $$$ for them not to fully disclose everything up front.

As far as I know a skin punch biopsy is pretty much the Gold Standard now for small fiber neuropathy dx.

Other NT'ers......isn't this correct ?

Please excuse if you were talking about something else

Debi from Georgia

its been the gold standard for quite a few years now

Well Blue Cross Blue Shield must have missed that memo. Haha.

I'm probably going to pull a bunch of research articles and fight them a little bit. I doubt they will budge but I'll make some time for this challenge.

I'm surprised about BCBS but I guess I shouldn't be after all we've see on here

There are many articles out there. Good Luck !

Debi from Georgia