Methacholine Challenge Test question

[tklavender]

For those that payed for this appointment on your own for a waiver, how did you go about actually obtaining the appointment? I was under the impression a pulmonologist did this, made an appointment there. After repeating the spirometery (with a great result) I then asked when and how soon we could do the MCT. They said oh no they don’t do that and didn’t really even seem to know where to direct me. Finally they sent in an order to a hospital. Called several other pulmonologists and they all send the patients somewhere to have it done, but won’t disclose where. My insurance does not require a referral.
Can anyone shed some light on how they were able to get this done?
TIA!

 

[NavyHopefulMom2027]

Did your hospital not respond to the order? I would just google "pulmonary function lab near me" and see what options you get.

 

[tklavender]

The hospital has not received an order. The pulmonologist said they would and it’s been several days.
I’m talking with other pulmonologists, non of them do it in office. Just getting worried about time at this point.

 

[TIME2GO]

I'm not sure if I'll be of any help but I'll try. In my area spirometry tests are common and often done by any nursing staff. A Complete Pulmonary Function Test with Methacholine Challenge is only done at some of the larger hospitals. It requires a Respiratory Therapist to perform in a special chamber that most medical facilities do not have. Usually an Allergist or a Pulmonologist would know where in your area to send you. Often the order gets lost in the process. Ask if you can hand carry an order to the hospital to scan in or call the Respiratory Therapy department directly and ask where to have order sent. They will not be able to schedule without an order from your doctor. Also, always verify ahead of time that they are familiar with and able to perform the test you need. What location are you looking to schedule at? I or someone else here may be able to point you in the right direction.

 

[Mav&Kylo]

My DS did MCT and I had to call countless offices to see who had the capability to do it in their office. Found one eventually, but most pulmonology office referred out to hospitals.

 

[Ryder70]

We went to our local Children's hospital and did all the tests through their Pulmonology Department.

 

[Impulsive]

For those that payed for this appointment on your own for a waiver, how did you go about actually obtaining the appointment? I was under the impression a pulmonologist did this, made an appointment there. After repeating the spirometery (with a great result) I then asked when and how soon we could do the MCT. They said oh no they don’t do that and didn’t really even seem to know where to direct me. Finally they sent in an order to a hospital. Called several other pulmonologists and they all send the patients somewhere to have it done, but won’t disclose where. My insurance does not require a referral.
Can anyone shed some light on how they were able to get this done?
TIA!

If DoDMERB or an ascension program wanted the MCT done, I believe it is very likely that DoDMERB or DoDMETS would take care of the scheduling and location. Candidates are not usually forced to pay for or take tests on their own (unless they are trying to be proactive) if their ascension program is asking for it.

And as @Capt MJ advised, "under waiver review" is the standard DoDMERB notation for having a DQ and the records being available for an ascension programs waiver authorities review, not that they are in the waiver process yet, at least that is what I took from previous posts.

 

[HawkeyeMom]

My dd had a MCT and an exercise stress test. Her pulmonologist referred her to a hospital that performed these tests. The MCT could have been done at the local hospital; but for the exercise stress test, the pulmonologist wanted it done at the regional hospital for us, so we went there for both of the tests. The tests were done by respiratory therapists, I believe, and the results were interpreted by the pulmonologist.