Financial problems from having IBD? Anyone??

I am brand new today to this site and was recently diagnosed with CD.  My insurance company actually sent me a letter saying that I did not get a referral to see the doctor which is actually the Medical Director at Promethius.  That really shocked me because this is blood work, not a doctors visit!!  It took me over 6 hours on the phone to straighten the matter out.  My doctors office had never heard of this situation.  What I did was to call the billing department at Promethius and spoke to an account rep.  He was so nice, and with his encouragement I was able to navagate the system.  Turned out that my HMO did pay Promethius and actually sent me a letter saying that if I got another bill from Promethius to forward it on to them for payment (Aetna HMO).  From what I understand from Promethius, this is not customarily a test that is covered by many insurance companies, so my advice would be to go ahead and have the test.  I know that probably sounds funny, but it is an investment in your health.  It is so important to know exactly what you have - ulcerated colitis of Crohns.  Without this test I would not have been comfortable with the diagnosis because I was not symptomatic.  I went in for a routine Colonoscopy because that is what you are to do after age 50, and I came out of the procedure with CD!!    I did not have any glaring symptoms, this was just doing the responsible thing and I got the shock of my life.  Are there any other people out there like me??  Now that I have been diagnosed and have become knowledgeable, there were some signs of the disease, however, very mild.  Not anything that would send a flag up.  A bit of constipation and occasion diaherra - just thought I had eaten something that did not agree with me.  I was diagnosed in Dec 07 and am on Canasa for the rest of my life.  My husband changed jobs before the diagnosis in December which was devastating for me.  We had an HMO and now a have PPO, which is so costly.  I do understand what you are going through, both of my children are Type 1 Diabetics - we are no strangers to medical bills so this was an extremely hard blow.  Really was looking forward to shedding some of that responsibility as they are now in there 20's and now this.  Good luck and hang in there, and more importantly take care of yourself.

 Hope all goes well with doctors appt.  I would really suggest that you call Promethius directly and ask for billing.  They are  really wonderful and can give you the support to navigate through the process.  Honestly, my doctors office was really no help at all, they just listened  and said, "keep in touch."  I did get it resolved before I had to ask for a letter of medical necessity which was a blessing.  I have found that if you have difficulty with a prescribed procedure, I have actually had all parties on the phone at the same time so everyone is on the same page (insurance company, doctors office and myself.)  If you have 3-way calling this is awesome - works like a charm if all parties are working to the same goal.  Most cell phones have the 3-way calling feature.  Try calling Promethius and atleast let them know that you are working on this with the insurance company.  If you are in possession of the order I believe that their toll free number is on the paperwork.  Good luck and have a great day!

Thanks for the suggestion!  I will call Prometheus today and let them know I am working on getting it resolved.  It helps to know they were also nice when you called them 3Whippet.

Anyhow, I am assuming that since the doctor didn't call me with the results, that my blood is normal, as far as the Prometheus blood test goes? 

Actually indigosunrise, I got a letter from Prometheus indicating that they had forward the results to my doctor. I don't know if this is routine, because my doctor's office was closed over Christmas so no one was available to take the results. That might be a good question to as Prometheus when you call. I was told by the doctor, it would take atleast 2 weeks for the results! I can honestly say that I am glad I had the test done. MaryS is right, never assume anything! Always ask. . . .

I'm still being bugged to pay for my Promethus ( I was not told it was going to be done, in the bloodwork.). from 2004's Flareup. Interestingly, my scope was clean, but my Promethus was positive.
And I owe more debt thanks to CD caused stones tham many third world nations!

Matthew