Allergy Testing cost?

[kellia]

My ds is 6, he was previously tested for allergies a couple years ago and everything they tested for was negative. I know he's allergic to something because dd and I are, and he constantly has sinus problems, dark circles under his eyes, etc.

Anyway, our insurance only covers 50%, so I'd like to know how much I should be prepared for! He got the "prick" kind on his back before, is that the best kind or is there something else out there that is more accurate so I should search out another doctor, if needed?

Thanks!

 

[RobinFabulous]

My ds is 6, he was previously tested for allergies a couple years ago and everything they tested for was negative. I know he's allergic to something because dd and I are, and he constantly has sinus problems, dark circles under his eyes, etc.

Anyway, our insurance only covers 50%, so I'd like to know how much I should be prepared for! He got the "prick" kind on his back before, is that the best kind or is there something else out there that is more accurate so I should search out another doctor, if needed?

Thanks!

Allie was allergy tested (pricks on back) by an allergist on Friday. For her age the "positive" was a 3mm, only one thing popped out, she had mostly 2 mms, which the allergist said she was "slightly allergic" to. Allie is constantly runny nose, yucky nose, etc. They referred her to an ENT to have her tonsils removed to deal with it. He told me to use Benadryl instead of the expensive singulair and claratin (cheap, but still) that she's been on for months. I have no clue what her testing ran, as we just payed the $25 specialist co-pay. I would imagine a few hundred dollars. Take him to your ped (or general practice) and ask his opinion. I wouldn't allergy test again, unless it was for something different (they did Allie's as indoor, mold, cockroaches, dogs, cats, then outdoor, pollen, weed, outdoor mold, grass, etc)

 

[MichelleinMaine]

Not sure the cost (though I'd guess maybe less than the prick test? At least only one office visit!), but DD had a blood test for allergies. Pedi said it only covered some of the possible allergens. We were specifically targeting dogs, though it came back dogs/cats/dust.

 

[james'mommy]

My insurance totally covers my testing and shots. The only thing I had to pay was my copay for the office visit when I was tested. Anytime I've needed a blood test for food allergies it's cost me nothing since the office will give me the paperwork for the lab without a visit.

 

[purplebelle]

I had my allergies tested about 5 months ago and with my HMO I only paid the cost of the co-pay for a doctor's visit ($25 twice). I have 16 known allergies and receive 3 shots once a week. The serum doesn't cost me a dime. I can't believe how inexpensive it is in comparison to what I would have had to pay on a PPO (not that I promote HMOs over PPOs). The scratch test was done on my forearms and then the few that came up negative were later injected into my upper arm with a needle.

Good luck to you and your little boy. The scratch tests are kind of irritating as he'll need to sit still while the shots swell or not. It's wonderful that you're looking into allergy relief for your son. It makes my life miserable sometimes! Allergy shots have a success rate of 85%. Mine have lessened but I've got a few years to go. I hope the doctors can identify what is irritating your son.