My Dr. Denied Liverfast test

[Jkf1]

I was recently at my regular doctor's appointment and mentioned that I wanted her to order me the Liverfast test through Quest. I showed her the information and lab codes, but she said she couldn't do it because it's not in her computer and she's not familiar with it. Quest said I need a Dr. Order for blood draw. I am going to ask a hepatologist next time I can get an appointment, but is there anyway around this?

[Justice1872]

Jkf1. I contacted Fibronostics directly and they scheduled an appointment for me with a liver specialist through TeleMed and then the doctor ordered the test. I will share the results with my Liver specialist next month.

[Jkf1 in reply to Justice1872]

Thank you.. Do you have that number handy and how much it is costing you out of pocket?

[nash2 Partner]

Yes there is, if you fill out the form from our website, click on the green button, you can do a teleconference with a hepatologist who can approve the test for you. The test is fairly new to the US and many insurance and care systems haven't added it yet.

fattyliverfoundation.org/li...

[Jkf1 in reply to nash2]

Thanks

[Troutwhisperer]

Hi Jkf1,

I am a NASH patient and my provider is Kaiser Permanente. I also wanted the Liverfast test. I have been with Kaiser Permanente for 13 years. For the first 12 I wrongly assumed that everything that could be done and should be done on my behalf was being done. However, over that period of time I had two abdominal ultrasounds, occasional liver panels via bloodwork, and was told on occasion to try to loose weight and exercise as there is no treatment for fatty liver disease and/ or those diagnosed with NASH which is a very possible death sentence.

However, in early 2020 I came across, via web search, the Fatty Liver Foundation. It has been a life altering event for me in the most positive way. Regarding the Liverfast test I could not find it mentioned anywhere on the KP site, not even in a section regarding NASH and tests that are used specifically for NASH patients. I was very anxious to have this test as it is highly recommended by the Fatty Liver Foundation. It is a new test that is possibly the most sophisticated blood test to date. So I wasn’t hopeful that it would just be a simple request that I would make to my doctor.

I filled out the request form on the Quest Labs website. They asked for my doctor’s name and phone number. However, I entered my doctor’s name and MY phone number. There was no problem. I scheduled the test and prepaid the cost of $200.00. Received the results quickly via email. Results showed stage 3 Fibrosis along with minimal inflammation and minimal fat content in my liver.

My next step is to secure a Fibroscan of my liver. I did make the request to KP, and at first thought I would receive the test, but then recently thought approval was being denied. Just today I found out I was wrong and that my doctor has ordered a Fibroscan for me. KP also looks at my Fib-4 score which suggests possibly no fibrosis and/or cirrhosis present. However, the Fib-4 score is widely used and considered, but is not a sophisticated test. A Fibroscan will then greatly aid in determining how much fibrosis, aka cirrhosis, is present.

Hope this helps you.

Best Wishes,

Troutwhisperer