Healthcare is Expensive! A perception which remains mostly unchallenged, as, in this arena, the media coverage is restricted towards burden and management failures. Diseases/disorders and their manifestation has no favoritism and have crossed geographical boundaries without visas today. Cancer is as crucial a public health issue in the USA as in India. What is it then that makes one healthcare facility appear more accomplished and winning over the other? It is simply the outcome!
How Much prenatal genetic testing cost?
The outcome is very perception oriented, as it can include cure, symptom management, mortality, quality of life, expenditure to list down the least. Awareness, Accessibility, and Affordability are the primary three As which alter global perception on healthcare performance. With growing internet popularity, Google has become the most accessed medical consultant, and hence, basic healthcare know-hows is within reach of the fingertips. Government schemes, as well as private players, have ensured the necessary blood and serum-based tests become available in a routine as well as through mass camps. However, exclusive genomic tests continue to be evasive in such programs, majorly because of the cost, acceptance as well as turnaround time.
Prenatal screening stands to be one of the best plans to reduce the burden of congenital as well as genetic disorders, and though many biochemical tests are available, the clarity concerning the variety, cost and the appropriate gestation age for testing are low. Also, when it comes to genetic testing, lack of concrete guidelines, the need for counseling; both pre-and post-test, identifying the need as well as the vast array in pricing, raises implementation limitations. Guiding Obstetricians and well as Pregnancy caregivers on all of the above aspects will make a considerable impact and ease implementation of population-based antenatal screening programs.
Average Pricing of Prenatal Tests
The diagnostic sector functioning in an unorganized manner has led to strict implementation of the PC-PNDT guidelines on specific prenatal screening tests, aiding in cracking down illegalities to a great extent. But what about the vast disparity on the cost aspect. In the first trimester, the doctors recommend a Simple serum Double market test, which costs above 1,000 INR on average. Simple Thyroid function test costs anywhere above 300INR. Specialized genetic screening tests like NIPT will cost anywhere above 22K INR. On the other hand, Karyotyping will cost INR 2,000 on an average. Cost apart, quality, accreditation, service support, etc. also affect acceptability.
So is prenatal screening pricey? Well, we @Matrnity believe it is sick care, which is pricey. Popularity, ease of access, and promise of quality are the primary points, which trigger the cost control in healthcare. When the comprehensive screening tests are available, the combination of all of these factors will aid in cost control. The choice of test depends on the risk conditions, as each test has different detection sensitivity. Prenatal care becomes truly meaningful when the choice of test depends on clinical factors and not on cost.
Maternity aims to be your Perfect Prenatal Screening Partner and not the Pricey one!
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