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Category: Prenatal Testing

Asked by leslie319

Q: Odds of something going wrong?

I'm 11w2d today and just got my Panorama (fetal dna) results-- all good and it's a girl! We had 3 miscarriages before this pregnancy, which is the 1st one ever to make it this far. We're so happy! I'm 38 and was convinced that after all the trouble we've had for 3 years, this couldn't possibly go well and that there would be something wrong, such as Downs because of my age. But now I feel like I can finally relax and celebrate. We're going for an NT scan this week, even though we know that the baby doesn't have Downs or another trisomy, but our Dr. wants us to do it anyway just to look for any other problems and to get a bonus peek at our little girl!
My question is if anyone has experience getting this far, getting great test results, but still have problems or a tragic outcome? 95% of my worry is gone now, but I have that lingering 5% that I'm still wondering if something could happen. The Dr. says anything COULD happen, but probably not.

This question was asked Aug. 7, 2014 9:16pm
Category: Prenatal Testing

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Answers (12)

Answered by CaliTexBaby - Nov. 24, 2014 5:46am

Cost is variable, but you can ask your insurance company what criteria you have to meet in order for them to cover any of it. For example if you have Aetna this is a page I found: http://www.aetna.com/cpb/medical/data/400_499/0464.html which basically states that you have to show some sign of potentially having an issue or be 35+ by the time you deliver. Otherwise depending on how extensive your doctor wants the test to be you might be ask to pay $5k. The nurses at the office told me it might be $200 but the best thing is to ask the people who are actually going to pay for it.

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Answered by CaliTexBaby - Aug. 26, 2014 2:15am

From what I understand (I'm looking to take this test too) is that the Panorama test is a screening test which means it lets you know if you are at risk for having any of the things they tested for. If you had gotten a positive it would mean that your doctor would have to do further <i>diagnostic</i> testing to see if your baby actually had it. The NT scan is a diagnostic test and was done just to make doubly sure that you weren't one of the very rare who get a false negative. I hope this info won't freak you out and make you worry. If you look at the statistics, it seems to me the odds are in your favor that you will have a healthy baby.

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Answered by leslie319 - Aug. 8, 2014 5:58pm

I wouldn't know what your insurance covers. The way to find out is the call the number on the back of your insurance card for member services and ask what your benefits are for prenatal screening tests. They will be able to tell you what they will pay and what you'll be responsible for.

According to the Natera site-- that link I already posted-- you can have the test done after 9 weeks gestational age. Read their site-- it has lots of info for you.

Any chance that anyone has any input on my original question? I don't mind discussing Panorama because it's such a helpful test, but any answers to my orig question would also be appreciated. Thanks!

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Answered by foxymama - Aug. 8, 2014 5:32pm

Thank you. We have insurance - so does this mean it would be covered hmm.. I am 37 and will be 38 at the time. What is the earliest you can have the test done?

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Answered by leslie319 - Aug. 8, 2014 4:20pm

I just called Natera and asked about the cost. If you have no insurance or they won't cover the cost of this test, it is $795 for the basic screen with or without the sex added. If you elect other add-on screens to it (for people of certain descents who are carriers for certain genetic problems), the price goes up to $995.
If you're lucky and your insurance will cover all or part of it, then your cost will be less. They will send you a bill for the difference. So, worst case, you pay the $795 for the basic test.
I was told by my Dr. that the other fetal dna tests (MaterniT21, Harmony, etc.) don't screen for as many things and don't have the same reliability stats as Panorama so they can cost a little less. Natera charges the most because they have the most reliable and comprehensive test. But the others are still pretty good and if you need to save $, then you might choose one of them instead.

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Answered by eag923 - Aug. 8, 2014 2:56pm

FoxyMama, I had the Harmony test done, which is the same type of test. Cost really depends on your insurance and age. Because I was going to be 36 at the time of the birth, my insurance covered it at 100%. From what I was told, if my insurance hadn't covered it at 100%, I would have had to pay up to $200 out of pocket (to me that would have been worth the peace of mind).

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Answered by foxymama - Aug. 8, 2014 1:13pm

How much does this test cost? It is pretty expensive right?

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Answered by leslie319 - Aug. 8, 2014 12:19am

Btw, here is a link to a comparison chart on the Natera website that shows what it tests for, the reliability stats, and at the bottom the estimated turn around time:

http://www.panoramatest.com/expecting-mother#compare

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Answered by leslie319 - Aug. 8, 2014 12:07am

Actually, I'm about 2 hours by car from Natera in California, so yes, my test probably got there quickly. But I think even from Canada, it should be fast because they overnight it by FedEx, I think.
You only find out the sex if you want. On your form, there should be a box to check if you want it. I don't think that adds extra $, but I'm not sure. If you check other choices on that form, it does add extra $, like the special screens for people of specific descent.
Also, don't know what it's like in Canada, but in the U.S., they won't send results to the patient, but rather to the ordering Dr., so you have to wait for a call from your Dr. to find out anything anyway.
But congrats on getting good results from your NT screen! Panorama sort of trumps that as far as detecting trisomies and other genetic defects, but it's still a great way to get a peek at your little one!

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Answered by Jessica0319 - Aug. 7, 2014 11:45pm

Ok thank you, yes it's the panorama then, and the papers said Natera so it must be the same. I was just reading about the other tests, I was just confused at first because my doctor never mentioned finding out the sex but that would be great if I get my results back and also find out what were having, I really feel everything is okay with baby, so not really worried. Also, are you in America or Canada? She said it has to get sent over to the states (I'm from Canada) so I don't know if that might make my results take longer to come back. But 7 to 14 days is a good range anyway! I couldn't find anywhere on my forms where it said the days for results.

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