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MAC/NTM is Different for Everyone, Treatment might be different too

MAC & Bronchiectasis | Last Active: Jul 26 12:32pm | Replies (116)
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@kdiago1564

Hi all,

Reading through the threads I have a question about the number of bacteria colonies and how that aids in determining whether or not to undergo antibiotic treatment. I am currently being treated at NYU Langone under the care of Dr. Addrizzo-Harris. I did sputum induction and the AFB smear was negative but the culture came back positive for MAC/MAI. I know a few of you have mentioned having sent the culture to NJH so they could analyze the number of bacteria which does logically seem like an important piece of information in all this.

My questions are:
- Does anyone know if NYU Langone can perform that level of analysis in their labs?
- Do you have to request this before you have your sputum induction appointment?
- Does this need to be approved by insurance or does insurance not cover this?
- How is this coordinated between the labs?

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Replies to "Hi all, Reading through the threads I have a question about the number of bacteria colonies..."
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Jul 26 10:29am

Hello, as you know, we are simply other patients like you.
As to your questions, if I wanted to know, I would definitely call the clinic. My insurance has always covered all the tests ordered by pulmonology, but it may depend on youd policy - that is a question for your carrier.
Coordination - if your sample goes to Langone and they do not do the test you need, they ship it to NJH and the results are reported back to them. Mine take a circuitous route in my state - clinic lab to state dept of health lab (as mycobacteria can indicate TB which is a reportable public health risk) to NJH. And the results are eventually reported back to my doc and me on the patient portal. (This is not uncommon - few labs do every possible test anymore - many are routinely sent off to specialty labs. A few examples tissue biopsies certain cancers, risk panels that include metabolic tests for some illnesses.)

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