Do not pay for harmony test or count on it for gender reveal!!!!

I became very excited to find out the sex of my unborn child at 11-12 weeks. I planned a gender reveal party after having blood drawn for the Harmony test. I was not concerned about the results of the trisomy tests because it would not change the outcome of my pregnancy and I would as soon not know rather than stress about the fact that my child may have a genetic disorder throughout the remainder of my pregnancy. I kept my phone on my and my doctors office nurse called with the news that the test was "inconclusive" due to lab error or something to do with my blood. The nurse told me I could contact the company for obtain more information. I called the number provided to me by the nurse only to be told that they could not give me any information because of HIPPA. I am the patient!!!!!!!! How is that a HIPPA violation?!? It is my body and my blood! I am a nurse and I am well aware of HIPPA. I wanted an explanation as to why my test was inconclusive. Overall I believe they advertise "gender reveal" as a ploy to real you in and take your money! Warning to all of you out there considering Harmony for gender reveal, do not waste your time or money it will cause nothing but disappointment. 
19.5k views • 4 upvotes • 15 comments

COMMENT (15)

Av

Posted at
I don't think it's wrong to cite HIPAA for someone calling in for results.  Just think anyone can call an office pretending to be someone else.  It is indeed a HIPAA violation to give medical information over the telephone without proper release.  Also because the test did not work for you does not make it worthless.  I mean they are done by humans and errors are bound to happen...  Overall sorry you had a bad experience, I sure I'd be disappointed if it were me.

Ja

Posted at
Harmony and similar tests (Panorama, MaterniT21) are *not* intended as a way to reveal your baby's gender. They are tests to screen for genetic disorders. Because they are so advanced, they can find out the gender, but that's not what their purpose is. Sorry you had a bad experience but the first level phone support people often don't know anything. Perhaps call back and speak to a supervisor, or ask your doctor to redo the test. I had the Panorama test and had no problems.

Si

Sierra • Jul 22, 2015
My harmony test was solely intended for gender because I have a hormonal imbalance that can negatively affect a girl baby due to an overproduction of testosterone. So if they know it's a girl early on they can put me on medicine to lower my testosterone. But I am having a boy so he can't be negatively affected by too much testosterone. Yay!

Jo

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It is a violation because you called. You could be anyone. Don't blame the test because you had a problem. They offer to retest you for free if it is inconclusive.

K

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Just because it didn't work for you doesn't mean it doesn't work for everyone. Harmony is a test that is 99% accurate because they actually sequence the DNA. Whoever took your original blood sample may have done it wrong. 

Bo

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Hmm, my sister had an issue with the testing. But it wasn't harmony, maybe panorama? Idk. Anyway same test different name. Well the results kept being delayed! She called the lab and they fed her the HIPPA line too. She demanded results and they faxed her a HIPPA form after which they answered what they could... Maybe you can demand a release form?

As

Ashley • Jul 22, 2015
Bonnie, stupid auto correct

As

Ashley • Jul 22, 2015
Thanks bonnir

Br

Posted at
Maybe you weren't as far as they thought or someone just did something wrong with the test. Sorry you had a bad experience. I had it done and everything was fine and I got my results back earlier than they told me I'd get them.

Sa

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Sorry that happened to you. Many people have these tests done and I've never heard of these kinds of problems. it was probably just some sort of unfortunate issue that happened with yours. :( I don't believe it's a scam at all. 

Ka

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Go with sneakpeek its pricey but 100% money back guarantee if they are wrong

Ca

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Something could have happened to the sample to make it non useable. 

*M

Posted at
I got the same results that it was inconclusive and they wanted me to take the test again. My husband and I decided not to do it again just BC it takes forever to get blood from me. But I did not have to pay for anything and my insurance was not billed for the test either.