My OB presented an optional screening that happens between weeks 11 and 13, and can only happen during that window. It's the screening for birth defects, and I have to go to a high risk doctor to have them perform the ultrasound. My OB mentioned that insurance sometimes does not cover this screening.
Did you have the birth defect screening performed and did you insurance cover the cost?
hostess / wonderful watermelon / 39513 posts
Yes, I had this screening (NT scan) both times. The tests need to done between those weeks because your baby's neck is still transparent. The test is part ultrasound and they also screen your blood.
My insurance covered it both times.
nectarine / 2152 posts
Is this called the NT (nuchal translucency) scan? If so, I think it's pretty common and I would think it would be covered by insurance.
If it's something else, I've never heard of this option.
We did CVS testing (Chronic Villi Sampling) and I would not recommend it unless absolutely necessary since it was very painful.
I think part of your decision would be based on what you would do with the results, particularly if they're not positive. Would you still continue the pregnancy? If so, then why stress yourself out about a 'possible birth defect'? Some people like to know in advance so I can see that as being a perfectly good reason to do it but it's definitely something to think about...
GOLD / wonderful coconut / 33402 posts
Yep. We had the 1st trimester screenings. My insurance cover it all but $35. Which is every time I have an ultrasound for some reason.
eggplant / 11824 posts
are you talking about the NT scan? We did have it performed and our insurance (Cigna) did cover it; but I called ahead to make sure it was covered. If it had not been covered, I would have gone ahead anyway and paid out of pocket.
GOLD / cantaloupe / 6581 posts
We aren't doing any extra testing, mostly because we were uncomfortable with being given the information, if that makes sense. So, next ultrasound isn't until 20 weeks, and although CVS and amniocentesis was covered, it just wasn't something we were interested in. However, you may feel better knowing, and that's totally cool!! Get to see the baby more 
wonderful olive / 19353 posts
@Trailmix: At my first prenatal appt the OB did say it was a screening for knowledge, and not necessarily to determine if we should terminate the pregnancy if something should come up. Honestly, I don't think I'd have the heart to terminate no matter what the results were!
I'm glad to know y'alls insurance covered the screening! I'm trying to get the hubby on board. He seems a bit hesitant.
GOLD / wonderful apricot / 22276 posts
I think we had this testing done...why can't I remember? We only opted out of the down syndrome testing, I think that's separate? Because we didn't care either way.
pineapple / 12793 posts
We did the NT scan. I found that it gave me peace of mind that everything was ok. I'm in the school of thinking that more information and knowledge is better.
I can't speak to the insurance b/c we're in Canada.
kiwi / 691 posts
I did it. Insurance covered it. I probably would not have done it if it wasn't covered.
wonderful pomelo / 30692 posts
Like others have said, we had the NT scan, which was covered my insurance. I'm curious if this is the test your OB is referring to, because this is a pretty routine scan and is usually covered my insurance, I thought.
nectarine / 2152 posts
@Alivoo01 Ah. Now that I know it's the NT scan, then that is a bit different, I sort of thought you meant a more definitive test (like the CVS or amnios mentioned above). I would be very surprised if it wasn't covered by your insurance and I think it does give a lot of people peace of mind! AND, in the unlikely event it comes back as high-risk, I know two girls who both had this and by 20-weeks, everything was perfectly normal so the results are definitely not anything to get freaked out by! Good luck!
pomelo / 5789 posts
Insurance covered my nt scan. I had decided no matter what the results, it would not change any decisions on my part so I just looked at it as another opportunity to see the baby.
As it turned out, the technican was able to see a little penis, so we got to find out the gender at the test!
pomelo / 5093 posts
Did not have it, as I'm not yet thirty and had no risk factors. My insurance would not have covered it in my circumstances.
wonderful grape / 20453 posts
I had the NT scan, but it was covered by insurance. I ended up needing to see a perinatologist for a couple of months because they found stuff wrong with the baby. Everything's ok now, but it was a bit stressful. Still, I wanted to know. I had to know so I could prepare myself.
I've known a few people whose insurance didn't cover it, though.
pear / 1986 posts
We just had our NT scan last week and I was told our insurance would cover it. And while we are still waiting for the results of the blood work, I feel much more at ease having seen that the baby is growing so big/on schedule and that everything looked good on the ultrasound.
persimmon / 1427 posts
I chose the NT scan or first trimester screen. It was covered by my insurance. The test was non invasive (blood test and ultrasound) so I didn't see why you wouldn't have it done. It made me feel much more comfortable announcing my pregnancy.
pear / 1895 posts
I didn't have the NT scan. We decided that it wouldn't change anything if the scan showed anything. And if it did, it would just make me stressed out throughout the pregnancy, which isn't healthy. Though, an amnio was never an option for us because of the chance of m/c, so it's one of those things where we'd never know for sure one way or the other until the baby was born.
For some people, genetics testing makes them feel better. For me, it would just make things worse.
cantaloupe / 6206 posts
I had this and it was covered by insurance. I think it's pretty standard to cover it.
pomelo / 5331 posts
We did do the NT scan. It was either not or only partially covered by insurance (although the million other ultrasounds I received were covered, go figure). They did an ultrasound to measure the thickness of the area on the back of the neck, and my blood for certain markers. If it had come back with higher odds, we would have been given the opportunity to do more concrete testing. We weren't going to terminate based on the results, but wanted to be prepared for anything that might come up. It came back perfectly normal. My doctor also said, when the time came, that CVS was available to us but discouraged us from getting it lol, because it's risky, my NT was fine, and I don't have any other risk factors. He basically said, "There is another screening test, and you are going to decline it. But I have to offer it to you. So I'm offering it to you. Now, say no."
coconut / 8234 posts
Our NT scan was covered by insurance and since it's non-invasive I had no problem with doing it. I'm a planner, so if there was some kind of issue, we wanted to know so that we could plan for it. The doctor at the testing center told us immediately after the test what the thickness of the area was and that we were okay but still had to wait for the results of the blood test--my Dr. called me with those results a week later and everything was ok.
wonderful olive / 19353 posts
Thanks for all your input ladies! I called the hospital and they said it is covered by my insurance. Yay!!
Did you get a print out of the ultrasound at the NT scan?
hostess / wonderful watermelon / 39513 posts
@Alivoo01: Yay! We got some prints but they were pretty bad. The scan is usually no nonsense and they give you the results a few weeks later!
wonderful cherry / 21504 posts
I am doing it next month. I guess I do want to see if anything is wrong, even though I wouldn't terminate. But more so, since my LMP and O date were pretty clear they wouldn't do a dating scan and I want to see this baby! It will be the first time we see it.
GOLD / wonderful coconut / 33402 posts
@Alivoo01: We got like 6 pictures during this ultrasound. It was great seeing the baby cause at 7 week ultrasound it looked like a little bean, at 12 weeks it looked like a baby.
squash / 13199 posts
Yes we did the NT scan as well at 11 weeks. And it was covered by insurance
wonderful olive / 19353 posts
@Smurfette: Wow! That's a lot of pictures!! I hope we get that many!!
pear / 1986 posts
@Alivoo01: We got a TON of photos printed plus a CD! It was so fun to see baby move and it even looked like our LO was sucking his/her thumb. So CUTE!
eggplant / 11287 posts
I opted out (even though it was covered) and am glad I did.
persimmon / 1180 posts
We opted out of it because our doctor said 90% of things would be found on the anatomy scan. Plus finding out something was wrong wouldn't have made a difference for us anyway (meaning we wouldn't have terminated).
pomelo / 5820 posts
We just had ours today! We got really nice pictures and a DVD of baby moving around (which I can't wait to watch)! The scan was covered by insurance, and it was very reassuring for me to see our baby and know he/she is measuring well. I worry a lot, and the scan gave me a little peace of mind.
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