Panorama Test/First Tri Screenings.

[kelle017]

I called my ob to get a referral for the NT test and they offered me the Panorama test as an alternative.

I think I'm still going to do the NT test because I want to see the baby, but the Panorama test is more accurate I think and I can do it as early as 10 weeks. 

Anyone doing screenings and what ones?

[musicalsilver]

It all depends on what's covered by my insurance, honestly.

We had the NT scan last time around because it was, and we wanted to know.

If I was offered the Panorama, I'd probably do that one instead. While seeing the baby is nice, the Panorama would offer a more definitive answer (and we'd get to know the sex early!).

[EatsRitz]

I had the NT with DS. I wasn't even offered it with DD; not sure why. My first appt is today, so I assume we'll talk about testing then.

[kh59]

I didn't do the NT test the first time around and won't do any early testing or screening this time either. If I were going to, though, I'd take the more accurate Panorama. I find the idea of a false positive more stressful than not knowing, so the NT isn't really for me.

[lemoncupcake]

We are going with the Panorama. It makes me a bit nervous that i potentially won't have another ultrasound until the anatomy scan, but the more accurate info is worth it. They will do a Doppler check at my 14w appointment.

[morwen]

My understanding is that panorama is more accurate for trisomy issues but doesn't screen for spina bifida/neural tube defects while the NT asses risk for that. There's a longer version of that test that takes a blood sample at the time if the NT scan and a few weeks later that is a bit more accurate but your results aren't available until much later.

[SubtleGrandeur]

I had the NT scan done when I was pregnant with DD and she fell into the "abnormal" range for her neck fold. We opted to not do additional screening at that point because of the risks and had to wait until the anatomy scan to get the "all clear" that she was actually perfectly healthy. Because of that fiasco, I think we're going to do the Harmony test this time around.

[britterrss]

Both? Is that an option? I'll do the NT as I think it's covered by insurance, and I'll pay out of pocket for the trisomies test at 10 weeks.

[mrsred09]

I'm hoping to do both if offered panorama this time around. With DS we were only offered the NT scan, but after our loss I would really like to get more details that you get with panorama. I plan on asking at my appointment Thursday.

[becwheat]

That tells you the sex too?

[bee]

I think we will go with the panorama. Is this something that's offered to everyone or should I ask?

[morwen]

Jun 30, 2015 12:49:12 GMT -5 becwheat said:

That tells you the sex too?

Yes basic panoRama checks for trisomy 21,13,18, triploidy (a full 3rd set of chromosomes), and if it's XX or XY I think.

There's another version that also checks for a couple of micro deletions in the DNA.

[morwen]

Jun 30, 2015 12:49:26 GMT -5 bee said:

I think we will go with the panorama. Is this something that's offered to everyone or should I ask?

Depends on where you live. For me, I'm offered the NT and accompanying blood work. They don't automatically offer panorama unless you get a positive with the previous test. Although if I want I can ask for the panorama up front knowing I'll have to pay for it and talk about it with my healthcare provider (NT is covered, panorama would only be covered for me if I get a positive on the Nt)

[kelle017]

I feel like the nt was covered with or I only paid a small amount out of pocket. I don't know if panorama is covered.

I wasn't offered any of the blood tests last time (other than what goes along with the nt scan).

I just feel conflicted because I want to see the baby before the anatomy scan and to me that's probably not the best reason. I mean I want to know if things are healthy obviously with that but a more accurate result would be better.

I'm probably going to schedule the nt test once I get the call back but because my next appointment will fall before I'd be able to do it I'll talk to my ob then.

[kelle017]

And we are hopefully team green so the sex thing although a bonus doesn't really matter to me.

[EatsRitz]

What's the difference between Panorama, Harmony, and MaterniT21? I know I could google, but lazy.

[natescupcake]

Jun 30, 2015 13:34:47 GMT -5 EatsRitz said:

What's the difference between Panorama, Harmony, and MaterniT21? I know I could google, but lazy.

Wondering the same thing... 

[auchick913]

I would love to have Panorama or whatever blood test but they won't pay for it unless I meet one of the following criteria. I don't really want to pay for the test OOP.

Specifically, they consider it "medically necessary" for the following:

Maternal age 35 years or older at delivery;
Fetal ultrasonographic findings indicating increased risk of aneuploidy;
History of previous pregnancy with a trisomy;
Standard serum screening test positive for aneuploidy; or
Parental balanced robertsonian translocation with increased risk of fetal trisomy 13 or trisomy
21.

I have Federal BCBS FWIW.

[morwen]

Jun 30, 2015 13:43:38 GMT -5 auchick913 said:

I would love to have Panorama or whatever blood test but they won't pay for it unless I meet one of the following criteria. I don't really want to pay for the test OOP.

Specifically, they consider it "medically necessary" for the following:

Maternal age 35 years or older at delivery;
Fetal ultrasonographic findings indicating increased risk of aneuploidy;
History of previous pregnancy with a trisomy;
Standard serum screening test positive for aneuploidy; or
Parental balanced robertsonian translocation with increased risk of fetal trisomy 13 or trisomy
21.

I have Federal BCBS FWIW.

That list looks similar to mine. I think for me it's about $560-600 for the basic Panorama test OOP

[lemoncupcake]

Jun 30, 2015 13:34:47 GMT -5 EatsRitz said:

What's the difference between Panorama, Harmony, and MaterniT21? I know I could google, but lazy.

I think they're all similar methodology, just different brands/labs that do the testing. Panorama was just the one that my dr works with. 

[kelle017]

I called insurance and the customer service rep I spoke to said that prenatal ultrasounds are covered and all labwork is covered too. So I can do either really.

I guess I'm just going to message my doctor and sees what he would recommend.

[spiraltheory]

I did the materniti21 with DS. I think I was 12 or 13 weeks. I'm assuming I'll do the same this time. My insurance covers most of it because I'm over 35.

I'm not sure what the difference is between the various blood tests. I'll have to ask my doctor.

[dreadpiratebuttercup]

We'll go with Panorama or similar if it's covered. If not, we'll just stick with the NT scan, assuming it's covered.

[SubtleGrandeur]

Jun 30, 2015 13:43:38 GMT -5 auchick913 said:

I would love to have Panorama or whatever blood test but they won't pay for it unless I meet one of the following criteria. I don't really want to pay for the test OOP.

Specifically, they consider it "medically necessary" for the following:

Maternal age 35 years or older at delivery;
Fetal ultrasonographic findings indicating increased risk of aneuploidy;
History of previous pregnancy with a trisomy;
Standard serum screening test positive for aneuploidy; or
Parental balanced robertsonian translocation with increased risk of fetal trisomy 13 or trisomy
21.

I have Federal BCBS FWIW.

I also have Federal BCBS!  I asked them about the Harmony test and it's not something that is covered.  So, I called the Harmony people and the lady I spoke with told me that they don't contract with BCBS, but that the out-of-pocket cost for either no insurance coverage or non-contracted insurance is $130, and it includes the XY portion.

[ang32]

We did the Panorama screening with DD. Check to make sure your insurance covers this test, everyone. When I did it in 2013 my OB said not many insurance companies are covering it unless the patient is high risk. I wasn't but we definitely took advantage of the coverage. It's a $3000 test. Because we did the test (at 10 weeks) I didn't have the 12 week ultrasound scan.
With this LO, we will do the test as well (we do have new insurance though so I should look into coverage for this type of test). Part of me wants to do the scan because I want to see the baby at 12w but I know the blood test is more accurate so will probably do that. It's a simple blood test and results are back in 1-3 weeks. We also found out DD's gender with the Panorama.

[ang32]

Jun 30, 2015 14:56:58 GMT -5 spiraltheory said:

I did the materniti21 with DS. I think I was 12 or 13 weeks. I'm assuming I'll do the same this time. My insurance covers most of it because I'm over 35.

I'm not sure what the difference is between the various blood tests. I'll have to ask my doctor.

I think it's that the Panorma is the most accurate in that it gives the least amount of false results. 
Adding natescupcake,EatsRitz,

[kelle017]

Jun 30, 2015 21:49:42 GMT -5 ang32 said:

Part of me wants to do the scan because I want to see the baby at 12w but I know the blood test is more accurate so will probably do that. It's a simple blood test and results are back in 1-3 weeks. We also found out DD's gender with the Panorama.

[
This is me. I want to see the baby so I lean that way but I think I'll do the blood work ultimately.

[apunicorn]

I'm doing the Harmony test because my OB pays for most of the cost (out of pocket is only $130 as opposed to a $2k total) but I am wondering if it will cause more worry. I do want to make sure that the baby is fine and finding out the gender is a great bonus but it is another thing to worry about.

[mrsmuq]

I'm baffled as to why you would have additional testing unless it was "medically necessary."

The only reason I had an NT scan with DS is I'm considered high risk for neural tube defects (my sister has a mild neural tube defect).

[morwen]

Jul 1, 2015 7:50:25 GMT -5 mrsmuq said:

I'm baffled as to why you would have additional testing unless it was "medically necessary."

The only reason I had an NT scan with DS is I'm considered high risk for neural tube defects (my sister has a mild neural tube defect).

Trisomy 13 and 18 do not have good outcomes. Although the risk is low of having that the result is devastating so it's worth knowing imo. My aunt had a trisomy 18 pregnancy, it was not good. (From what I understand there's no hereditary factor but I'm a lot more aware of it now)

Also where I live all women must be offered first tri screening, though of course you can decline.

Eta - for my area it's the standard of care, just like having an A/S. Sure you can decline that as well but it provides useful information.