Donna Geathers
MH.Testing@mail.tju.edu
215-955-6645
Hours: 8am to 3pm

Insurance Information

Most Commercial Insurance Companies are accepted with precert or referral from Primary Physician.  (i.e. Blue Cross/Blue Shields; Aetna Us Healthcare; AmeriHealth)

Companies that are not aware of Malignant Hyperthermia and out-of-network carriers may require; Pre-Determination; Prior Approval; Medical Necessity Letters that can take up to two weeks for consideration.

Financial considerations: the cost of the biopsy includes:

• Hospitalization - operating room and recovery room charges: approximately $2,000.
• Physician Services involved in the care of the patient - general surgeon (to perform the biopsy), anesthesiology's, and in some cases pediatrician or a neurologist. The total charge is usually about $2,000.
• Laboratory - The laboratory tests usually consist of charges for blood work, for pathologic review of the specimen (included in the hospital costs), and in some for X-ray and EKG (patients over 40 years).
• Diagnostic Center - the charge for the performance of the diagnostic test is $750.

Most commercial insurance carriers will pay for these charges, as will some Blue Cross/Blue Shield plans.

ICD 9 codes:

995.86 
V71.89
V18.1

Procedure code:

20205

Choosing a Date
The Malignant Hyperthermia Muscle Biopsy is a Outpatient procedure (SPU), Pre Admission testing are required at least one week prior to procedure.

We ask that you obtain all medical records from your Anesthesiologist, if you had any reaction to Anesthetics agents. Please mail the records and a copy of your insurance card back with the Patient Release Information Form. 

Surgery can be scheduled on any of the following days, if available:

Monday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
* subject to change