FW: [UtahLyme] Financial help for Lyme testing

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From: UtahLyme [mailto:UtahLyme ] On Behalf

Of DKL

Sent: Monday, October 18, 2010 5:27 PM

jblral

Subject: [utahLyme] Financial help for Lyme testing

LymeTAP offers financial assistance for Lyme disease testing

A nationwide program to help financially strapped patients pay for Lyme

disease diagnostic tests will start accepting applications November 1.

The Lyme Testing Access Program (LymeTAP) will be administered through the

Rotary Club of Ferndale Foundation, in coordination with the Humboldt Lyme

Awareness Group (HLAG). It is made possible by a generous grant from IGeneX

Reference Laboratory of Palo Alto. While all three organizations are based

in California, people throughout the United States may apply.

" Many patients can't afford the cost of basic testing, " said LymeTAP

coordinator Sylviane Schwartz, of HLAG. " This poses a huge financial burden

to patients, who must pay out-of-pocket to get properly diagnosed. "

LymeTAP permits testing at any lab of the patient's choice provided it is

certified by Medicare and CLIA (a government designation that sets standards

for laboratory testing). Applicants for assistance must provide evidence of

financial need. Their treating physician must also sign the application.

Initial funding for LymeTAP comes from a $100,000 grant from IGeneX Labs.

The program gives priority to children, but adults may also apply.

Lyme disease, a bacterial infection spread by ticks, is the fastest growing

vector-borne disease in the United States. It has been reported in all 50

states and many foreign countries. Schwartz said it can be a complex illness

to diagnose clinically because it can mimic other conditions such as

fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, and multiple sclerosis.

" Delays in testing often lead to delays in treatment, which can make the

disease harder to treat. LymeTAP will address one cause of testing delay,

inability to pay, " Schwartz said. " We hope the program will allow more

people to be tested and treated early. "

IGeneX, based in Palo Alto, is a reference lab certified by Medicare and

CLIA that specializes in clinical and research testing for Lyme disease and

other tickborne infections.

Humboldt Lyme Awareness Group is an educational organization promoting Lyme

and tickborne disease awareness programs in northern California. HLAG

volunteers will coordinate the LymeTAP program in conjunction with the

Rotary Club of Ferndale Foundation.

The Rotary Club of Ferndale Foundation is a 501 c 3 charitable organization

set up to support a variety of community needs. Rotary's motto is " service

above self. " According to a spokesman, " The LymeTAP program is a perfect

example of this motto in action. "

To find out more about LymeTAP and to download an application form, visit

www.lymetap.org.