Removal · field guidance

Insurance / cost-of-test considerations

Standard Lyme serology and tick-borne illness panels are typically covered when ordered for symptoms; tick-testing services usually are not.

Steps

schema.org/HowTo

01
Standard CDC two-tier Lyme testing (EIA followed by immunoblot) is generally covered by insurance when ordered for compatible symptoms.
02
Tick-borne illness PCR panels are usually covered with documented fever or rash post-exposure.
03
Direct-to-consumer 'Lyme panels' from non-CLIA labs are usually not covered and produce many false positives.
04
Commercial tick-testing services (where you mail in the tick) are typically out-of-pocket and do not change standard treatment.
05
Telehealth visits for prophylaxis decisions are usually covered.
06
Ask the clinician's office to verify coverage before specialty testing if cost is a concern.

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