Genes and the Boobeaucracy

So, first read this.

As a result of the gene patent, only one lab in the world currently does the genetic tests I've had done.

The first run of tests, for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene variants, "only" cost $586, of which my copay is $86. So far, fairly good.

The more extensive testing came in at $3500, of which my share is $500.

More than four grand so that I can make an informed decision about surgery and treatment. Fortunately, insurance covers nearly all of it, and even more fortunately, we have the money.

But suppose we didn't?

The really stupid part of this, though? Having this testing done means I am totally comfortable about going with a less invasive, less expensive form of surgery. Saving the insurance company tens of thousands of dollars more than they would have paid in the past, when once size fit all. Seriously, the average cost of treating a breast cancer patient is about $50k. Part of what skews the results upwards are unnecessary mastectomies.

In other words, the insurance company should be paying ME to figure things out like this.