Financial help for Lyme testing

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Lyme-TAP 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 (Lyme-TAP) 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 Lyme-TAP

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

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

Lyme-TAP 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 Lyme-TAP 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. Lyme-TAP 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

tick-borne infections.

Humboldt Lyme Awareness Group is an educational organization promoting Lyme and

tick-borne disease awareness programs in northern California. HLAG volunteers

will coordinate the Lyme-TAP program in conjunction with the Rotary Club of

Ferndale Foundation.

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

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

self. " According to a spokesman, " The Lyme-TAP program is a perfect example of

this motto in action. "

To find out more about Lyme-TAP and to download an application form, visit

www.lymetap.org.