Have any of you had the BRAC 1 or BRAC 2 test done, or, your daughters?

DianeBC
DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
I've read where some insurance companies will pay for it and some say theirs didn't, so, they paid for it out of their own pocket.

Also, if you do test positive, does or will that effect any future treatment for you or for your daughters? Could it be used against someone to test positive? Like trying to get life insurance or something?

Thanks,

Diane
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Comments

  • lynn1950
    lynn1950 Member Posts: 2,570
    Hi Diane. I did have the
    Hi Diane. I did have the BRAC 1 and BRAC 2 test done. First, I was interviewed by the hospital social worker who then sent information to my insurance company for approval. Once approved, I did the test.

    My mom and two of my sisters have also been tested and we are all negative! We have such a strong family history of BC.

    I don't know if it can be used against someone later on down the line.

    xoxoxoxo Lynn
  • salls41
    salls41 Member Posts: 340
    Tested
    I was approved by insurance so had the testing..it was negative. They told me since I was negative no need for sister or daughter or sons to be tested. I have been told that test results can not be held against you by law...but who's monitoring this? My daughter tested positive for something personal, her insurance immediately went up.. she tested negative on a return visit and her insurance did not go down. She called and was told because of the false positive test.. regardless of the outcome of the second test she was now a higher risk candidate.. all further testing has been negative but insurance won't budge.
  • peanutcat
    peanutcat Member Posts: 104
    Bracha
    I've had the test it was neg. My ins co paid for it. If you have it of cource you will be treated. If you appling for health ins.? I'm not sure Life ins you can't get. Yes, that is true you do have to pay out of pocket. I hear it's 3,000.

    Good Luck
    DianeBC Let me know how you make out ok?
  • Ctine70
    Ctine70 Member Posts: 150
    I had Brac 1 and Brac 2 done
    Hi Diane,
    I had both test done once I was diagnosis with BC and my insurance covered 80 percent. The test cost close to $4000
    I was negative so I was told my daughter didn't need to get tested.
    I was told that if I tested positive I would of needed to have a bil. Mastectomy and my overies taken out.
    Since I was negative I got to chose between a lumpectomy or the mastectomy.
    Chemo and radation were up to my oncologist, which I have to have both.
    Hope this helped
    Hugs Christine
  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    Tested also
    In about 1990, I had the test done, because there is a suspected hereditary component to my cancer. I paid for the test and did it anonymously because I was kind of in unchartered waters back then.

    Years later, my little sister had the testing done. Her insurance paid for it and she was completely reassured by her physician that testing is private and can't be used against you or your family. Life insurance policies do not ask for this info.

    They do ask if you have ever had cancer. After a remission of 15 years, I applied for life insurance and was rejected. I appealed and was given life insurance. I still have that policy even though I now I do have mets.

    BTW, even though nearly everyone in my family gets cancer, we are BRCA 1 & 2 negative. My onc said he is convinced ours is genetic, but our particular gene has not been identified.
  • Alexis F
    Alexis F Member Posts: 3,598
    salls41 said:

    Tested
    I was approved by insurance so had the testing..it was negative. They told me since I was negative no need for sister or daughter or sons to be tested. I have been told that test results can not be held against you by law...but who's monitoring this? My daughter tested positive for something personal, her insurance immediately went up.. she tested negative on a return visit and her insurance did not go down. She called and was told because of the false positive test.. regardless of the outcome of the second test she was now a higher risk candidate.. all further testing has been negative but insurance won't budge.

    I didn't have the genetic
    I didn't have the genetic test done Diane, but, my cancer center offered it for free. I never asked why they offered it for free, or, if they did for all bc patients as I was still in a fog from being diagnosed with bc.

    I don't know if it could be used against anyone or not. I certainly would hope not.


    Lex
  • RozHopkins
    RozHopkins Member Posts: 578 Member
    Yes had this test too
    Came back neg which surprised me as also large fam history. If your oncol thinks the test should be given I think the insurance pay most or all. If you go ahead without his backing I think it is different. Was told if neg the gene stops there and daughters will not have it but have normal chance of getting breast cancer as any other female. Seems to make sense. Told my daughter to start seriously dealing with this possibility in her fourties. As my cancer often is not shown on mamos and travels to both sides frequently.
  • Mariannemm
    Mariannemm Member Posts: 136
    I was tested...
    My insurance company paid for it. I was negative! I went through genetic counseling 1st to determine if I needed the test. After the test I was told "Just because you tested neg doesn't me that you don't have another gene that hasn't been discovered yet." So you walk away guarded. I have 2 sisters, our Mom died of BC 6 years ago. Both sisters went for genetic counseling. They live in different cities from me and each other. One sister was told she didn't need have the test and if she wanted it she would have to pay around $3000 for it. My other sister was told to have the test, her insurance company paid most of it. I think she paid $350. They told her it would of been more if I hadn't been tested first. All the best, Marianne
  • tufi000
    tufi000 Member Posts: 745 Member
    Test your daughters!!!
    My niece got BC at 38 and her mom had gotten it at the same age. They tested her and it turned out positive BUT she had the gene from her DAD!!!!!!! Just sayin'

    Also there is less likelihood that a positive result will negatively affect your insurance as the latest research shows this knowledge provides for more specific treatments to the patient's advantage.
  • Bella Luna
    Bella Luna Member Posts: 1,578 Member
    Tested as well
    I was tested and was negative. My oncologist strongly suspected I would be negative as no one, that I am aware, had cancer in my family. I went ahead and did the test because I have a 12 year old daughter, two sister, and several nieces and nephews. Luckily for me, the insurance picked up the tab.
  • jnl
    jnl Member Posts: 3,869 Member
    Ctine70 said:

    I had Brac 1 and Brac 2 done
    Hi Diane,
    I had both test done once I was diagnosis with BC and my insurance covered 80 percent. The test cost close to $4000
    I was negative so I was told my daughter didn't need to get tested.
    I was told that if I tested positive I would of needed to have a bil. Mastectomy and my overies taken out.
    Since I was negative I got to chose between a lumpectomy or the mastectomy.
    Chemo and radation were up to my oncologist, which I have to have both.
    Hope this helped
    Hugs Christine

    Most insurance companies, I
    Most insurance companies, I think, will pay for test. Have you contacted your insurance company Diane? It is an expensive test, so, I hope your insurance company will help or pay for all of it.

    Hugs, Leeza
  • tealnpink
    tealnpink Member Posts: 30 Member
    I am positive for BRCA2 gene
    I am positive for BRCA2 gene mutation. My insurance through my employer paid for the test in 2010. I still have my insurance and was added to my husband’s health insurance this year with no trouble at all. I provided his insurance company with a certificate of creditable coverage therefore I have no exclusionary period for my pre-existing conditions of breast and ovarian cancer. I also have a life insurance policy through my employer which I had before I was tested. My husband bought a life policy for me through his employer this year and no medical questions were ask.
  • survivorbc09
    survivorbc09 Member Posts: 4,374 Member

    Tested as well
    I was tested and was negative. My oncologist strongly suspected I would be negative as no one, that I am aware, had cancer in my family. I went ahead and did the test because I have a 12 year old daughter, two sister, and several nieces and nephews. Luckily for me, the insurance picked up the tab.

    It was offered to me, but, I
    It was offered to me, but, I never had the test done, well, not yet. I still may. Did you Diane?


    Hugs, Jan
  • kjrpcb
    kjrpcb Member Posts: 41
    BRAC testing
    Because of my significant family history of breast CA I wanted the testing. I turned out to be negative so there was no need for my siblings and daughters to be tested. However, although I am technically BRAC negative , the MD feels that my family may be an anomaly
    and want to investigate further. My insurance covered the testing and they are covering all special imaging that they may need for my daughters.
  • DebbyM
    DebbyM Member Posts: 3,289 Member
    tealnpink said:

    I am positive for BRCA2 gene
    I am positive for BRCA2 gene mutation. My insurance through my employer paid for the test in 2010. I still have my insurance and was added to my husband’s health insurance this year with no trouble at all. I provided his insurance company with a certificate of creditable coverage therefore I have no exclusionary period for my pre-existing conditions of breast and ovarian cancer. I also have a life insurance policy through my employer which I had before I was tested. My husband bought a life policy for me through his employer this year and no medical questions were ask.

    I would hope that if one
    I would hope that if one tests positive for this test, that it would have no reflection at all on anything, especially life insurance policies that you might take out in the future.
  • mupix
    mupix Member Posts: 19
    I was told medical insurance
    I was told medical insurance cannot hold it against you if you were positive but life insurance can deny you coverage based on that.
    I am waiting for my results to come back , another wewek maybe.
  • AngieD
    AngieD Member Posts: 493
    mupix said:

    I was told medical insurance
    I was told medical insurance cannot hold it against you if you were positive but life insurance can deny you coverage based on that.
    I am waiting for my results to come back , another wewek maybe.

    I had the tests done. My
    I had the tests done. My mother died of BC and I have 7 granddaughters , 1grandson, and a son and daughter. However, I am from a small family, no sisters and my mother's only sibling died as a baby. This did not meet the automatic criteria for coverage. So,the social workers at my cancer center wrote several letters and finally got my insurance to pay for it. I felt I should do it especially for my daughter and granddaughters. Thankfully, it was negative.
    Angie
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    lynn1950 said:

    Hi Diane. I did have the
    Hi Diane. I did have the BRAC 1 and BRAC 2 test done. First, I was interviewed by the hospital social worker who then sent information to my insurance company for approval. Once approved, I did the test.

    My mom and two of my sisters have also been tested and we are all negative! We have such a strong family history of BC.

    I don't know if it can be used against someone later on down the line.

    xoxoxoxo Lynn

    Thanks everyone for your
    Thanks everyone for your posts! I am thinking that I will have it done.


    Hugs to all of you,

    Diane
  • Kylez
    Kylez Member Posts: 3,761 Member
    mupix said:

    I was told medical insurance
    I was told medical insurance cannot hold it against you if you were positive but life insurance can deny you coverage based on that.
    I am waiting for my results to come back , another wewek maybe.

    I was going to have this
    I was going to have this test when I was first diagnosed, but, didn't go ahead and do it. I suppose I should. It is just a blood test after all.


    Good luck to you mupix on your results! Hoping they are negative!
  • Heatherbelle
    Heatherbelle Member Posts: 1,226 Member
    I was tested after i
    I was tested after i completed treatment and am unfortunately BRCA1+. The genetic counselor told me there are laws to protect myself and my daughters regarding this, as far as insurance, employers, etc. It was covered by my insurance that i had - there are certain guidelines which may affect whether or not certain insurance companies will cover it - and before they even do the testing the genetic Dr. will submit your information to the insurance company to see if they will cover it. Things they consider are - age of diagnosis, number of first degree relatives with breast and/or ovarian cancer (mom, sister, daughter) and number of 2nd degree relatives (grandma, cousin, aunt). I cant choose to have my daughter's tested - once they turn 18 they can legally get tested if they choose.
    hugs,
    heather