Most Drs only order CYP2D6 testing if the patient asks

Pi-Xi

peggy_j,

I followed all the instructions. (I trained as a scientist.) They said for some people it just doesn't seem to work, which was confusing. Perhaps not enough DNA in the saliva? I have no idea. (I'm a physicist.) I am on their wait list for when they start accepting blood samples.

Pi-Xi

P.S. There is a fill line on the tube provided with the home kit.

peggy_j

Pi-Xi, thanks for the info. That's helpful. BTW, the Mayo Clinic does CYP2D6 with blood samples.

http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/test-catalo...

I'm trying to find out the cost. My insurance won't cover it automatically (CPT code 81226-CYP2D6 in case you want to call yours) so I need to get pre-approval and my MO is out of town. I'm trying to find out how much it will cost if my insurance doesn't pay. If I hear anything useful, I'll post it.

Pi-Xi

Being in Canada, it will be out of pocket for me. I had to pay for the Oncotype DX if I wanted it because my province doesn't cover it. Good thing I'm not destitute or I would have had to have done chemo. I don't have a large family, so it's hard to know if there's a bad gene floating around. There's certainly been enough cancer though! No doctor has seen reason to order genetic testing of any kind. I am curious about it. As far as the CYP2D6 is concerned, it may be useful for me to know as it could definitely change the treatment course. Thanks for information and if you find out about the cost from Mayo, please do let me know. Thanks, Peggy_j

peggy_j

Pi-Xi, I think it's pretty rare to do this CYP2D6 test even in the US. It's not even handled by my MO's genetic counselor, but is handled as a special blood test. I've sent emails to a few people, trying to find the cost. If I don't hear anything in a few days I can always pester my MO's nurse, but I hate to bug her (since I need her to do the pre-approval paperwork).

peggy_j

Here's a partial update:

My MO's nurse said that Mayo's price for the CYP2D6 blood test is $561.90 if the insurance doesn't pay. Not sure if this is the same for everyone or some "special" negotiated rate. I have a Blue Shield PPO Silver ACA plan.

In terms of bureaucracy, there's plenty of confusion. My MO's nurse said that Mayo Clinic's Lab is "in network" and that they don't require pre-authorization. Today, the Blue Shield customer service person said that no pre-auth is needed for any blood work. (contradicting the previous Blue Shield customer service rep). Upon further investigation, she said that for special tests they DO need pre-authorization. (hmmm...maybe I should have taken her first answer and hung up.) So the ball's back in my provider's office. BTW, my MO's nurse said that sometimes the insurance companies simply want the request for the test to be documented if the cost is over $500. Fingers crossed that this gets approved.