babydog
06-06-2005, 07:55 PM
I keep getting an advertisement in the mail for a stroke / vascular disease screening. I am not mentioning the name because I am not sure if I am permitted to.
They offer 4 screening tests as a package:
one for Stroke / carotid artery to detect plaque buildup
one for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
one for peripheral arterial disease
one for osteoporosis
The screenings are ultasounds. They offer this screening package for $139. Evidently the company is mobile. The screenings take place at a different facility in my area with every notice I receive.
Has anyone ever heard of this company or taken advantage of this screening package? Has anyone received this promotional material in the mail?
While I can't imagine why anyone would not take advantage of something like this, I don't understant why something like this would be not routine screening for person's say over age 50 or considered to be at risk. If arterial plaque can be detected on an ultrasound, why isn't everybody getting it????, especially if it is so reasonable.????
They offer 4 screening tests as a package:
one for Stroke / carotid artery to detect plaque buildup
one for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
one for peripheral arterial disease
one for osteoporosis
The screenings are ultasounds. They offer this screening package for $139. Evidently the company is mobile. The screenings take place at a different facility in my area with every notice I receive.
Has anyone ever heard of this company or taken advantage of this screening package? Has anyone received this promotional material in the mail?
While I can't imagine why anyone would not take advantage of something like this, I don't understant why something like this would be not routine screening for person's say over age 50 or considered to be at risk. If arterial plaque can be detected on an ultrasound, why isn't everybody getting it????, especially if it is so reasonable.????
Sponsor
Lenin
06-06-2005, 09:34 PM
babydog,
It sounds like a scheme to me. The price is too cheap for a decent test for plaque buildup let alone the minimum ultrasound to determine the condition of the abdominal aorta and a bone scan of any type.
Beware of medical care that comes to YOU...something fishy going on.
It sounds like a scheme to me. The price is too cheap for a decent test for plaque buildup let alone the minimum ultrasound to determine the condition of the abdominal aorta and a bone scan of any type.
Beware of medical care that comes to YOU...something fishy going on.
babydog
06-06-2005, 10:07 PM
babydog,
It sounds like a scheme to me. The price is too cheap for a decent test for plaque buildup let alone the minimum ultrasound to determine the condition of the abdominal aorta and a bone scan of any type.
Beware of medical care that comes to YOU...something fishy going on.
What a shame. That's what my husband told me. Guess I just needed to hear it from somebody I trust . ;)
It sounds like a scheme to me. The price is too cheap for a decent test for plaque buildup let alone the minimum ultrasound to determine the condition of the abdominal aorta and a bone scan of any type.
Beware of medical care that comes to YOU...something fishy going on.
What a shame. That's what my husband told me. Guess I just needed to hear it from somebody I trust . ;)
ARIZONA73
06-06-2005, 11:25 PM
My father just had a bone scan done today. He first went in at 10:30, and was then told to come back at 12:30. I think they inject some kind of a dye first, and then later on they do the scan. He has osteoporosis, and is currently suffering from a fracture in his back. The scan alone took one hour, and I'll bet this test alone will cost considerably more than $139.
HubbleRules
06-07-2005, 12:30 AM
BabyDog,
You know the old saying 'if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is'...
I would search for any complaints about this company on the internet. Their prices sound unrealistically low to me - unless they are outsourcing the diagnosis of the results to India.
They may be legit, but unless they are being subsidized by the government, or unless they are outsourcing the diagnosis, I would be skeptical.
Is the $139 your out-of-pocket cost AFTER they collect from your insurance company??? Or is it the total cost?
Regards,
HubbleRules
:cool:
You know the old saying 'if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is'...
I would search for any complaints about this company on the internet. Their prices sound unrealistically low to me - unless they are outsourcing the diagnosis of the results to India.
They may be legit, but unless they are being subsidized by the government, or unless they are outsourcing the diagnosis, I would be skeptical.
Is the $139 your out-of-pocket cost AFTER they collect from your insurance company??? Or is it the total cost?
Regards,
HubbleRules
:cool:
Uff-Da!
06-07-2005, 03:16 AM
I had the screening done by what I presume may be the same company in October 2003. Since I'd already had an osteoporosis screening about six months prior, I didn't have that one. Keep in mind that, just like BP, cholesterol and blood sugar screenings done in rural areas, this is just a screening, not a complete test like you might get if referred to a medical facility by your doctor. In fact, the note on my report from the company on the carotid artery/stroke screening results says this:
NOTE TO PHYSICICAN: This test is not meant to be a comprehensive carotid duplex exam, but rather a screening to visualize the presence of excessive plaque and hemodynamic changes. For "findings of possible significance," a comprehensive carotid duplex exam is strongly recommended. All of my results were within normal range, so no pictures were included. It sounds from the report as though pictures are included to take to your doctor if results are not within normal range.
In doing an internet search on the company, the majority of references to complaints were in Canada, where the services provided by this company for a fee are provided free under the Canadian medicare. The only other complaint reference I found was that the Colorado Attorney General's office was going to check into it, but there was no result. I found one place where the screening was co-sponsored and offered free by a county public health department. If you find anything more of interest, I'd appreciate hearing, as I will probably otherwise have another screening within the next year.
To give you an idea of some of the information you might receive as a result of the screening, here are some of my "normal" results on the report:
Carotid artery/stroke screening results: left x, right x: within normal range - Essentially minimal to mild plaque buildup. Blood flow velocities within normal limits. (It also states that if velocities fell below 110 centimeters per second, that the velocity measurements would be stated.)
Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening results: No aneurysm (less than 3 cm)
Peripheral arterial disease screening results (ABI index): Systolic left arm 130, systolic left ankle 152, systolic right arm 122, systolic right ankle 154. Left side index 1.16, right side index 1.18. Normal (.90 or greater) Within normal range. (Normal classification with an index of .90 or greater. This result indicates that the pressures in your ankles are almost as high or higher than the pressure in your higher arm. This is a normal result.)
NOTE TO PHYSICICAN: This test is not meant to be a comprehensive carotid duplex exam, but rather a screening to visualize the presence of excessive plaque and hemodynamic changes. For "findings of possible significance," a comprehensive carotid duplex exam is strongly recommended. All of my results were within normal range, so no pictures were included. It sounds from the report as though pictures are included to take to your doctor if results are not within normal range.
In doing an internet search on the company, the majority of references to complaints were in Canada, where the services provided by this company for a fee are provided free under the Canadian medicare. The only other complaint reference I found was that the Colorado Attorney General's office was going to check into it, but there was no result. I found one place where the screening was co-sponsored and offered free by a county public health department. If you find anything more of interest, I'd appreciate hearing, as I will probably otherwise have another screening within the next year.
To give you an idea of some of the information you might receive as a result of the screening, here are some of my "normal" results on the report:
Carotid artery/stroke screening results: left x, right x: within normal range - Essentially minimal to mild plaque buildup. Blood flow velocities within normal limits. (It also states that if velocities fell below 110 centimeters per second, that the velocity measurements would be stated.)
Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening results: No aneurysm (less than 3 cm)
Peripheral arterial disease screening results (ABI index): Systolic left arm 130, systolic left ankle 152, systolic right arm 122, systolic right ankle 154. Left side index 1.16, right side index 1.18. Normal (.90 or greater) Within normal range. (Normal classification with an index of .90 or greater. This result indicates that the pressures in your ankles are almost as high or higher than the pressure in your higher arm. This is a normal result.)
babydog
06-07-2005, 01:04 PM
BabyDog,
You know the old saying 'if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is'...
I would search for any complaints about this company on the internet. Their prices sound unrealistically low to me - unless they are outsourcing the diagnosis of the results to India.
They may be legit, but unless they are being subsidized by the government, or unless they are outsourcing the diagnosis, I would be skeptical.
Is the $139 your out-of-pocket cost AFTER they collect from your insurance company??? Or is it the total cost?
Regards,
They don't mention anything about insurance. They only mention the credit cards they accept. As for insurance, if they are not in my network (and they are not) and I am not going via a referral from my doc, insurance ain't paying didley!
HubbleRules
:cool:
You know the old saying 'if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is'...
I would search for any complaints about this company on the internet. Their prices sound unrealistically low to me - unless they are outsourcing the diagnosis of the results to India.
They may be legit, but unless they are being subsidized by the government, or unless they are outsourcing the diagnosis, I would be skeptical.
Is the $139 your out-of-pocket cost AFTER they collect from your insurance company??? Or is it the total cost?
Regards,
They don't mention anything about insurance. They only mention the credit cards they accept. As for insurance, if they are not in my network (and they are not) and I am not going via a referral from my doc, insurance ain't paying didley!
HubbleRules
:cool:
babydog
06-07-2005, 01:34 PM
Hi Uff-Da
Wow! the information you provided here is great! I guess as long as you understand the limitations of the information provided on the results of the test, for some this may be a worthwhile if only for the fact that it might dispell some of the worry and curiosity about what these cholesterol numbers really mean to us as individuals.
At the very least, it seems to provide an additional "marker" for the doctor to determine which patients need to be followed more closely and/or treated more aggressively.
I will definitely research this company on the internet to see what I can find. And I will also show your message to my husband. He is very skeptical. :yawn: :rolleyes:
Wow! the information you provided here is great! I guess as long as you understand the limitations of the information provided on the results of the test, for some this may be a worthwhile if only for the fact that it might dispell some of the worry and curiosity about what these cholesterol numbers really mean to us as individuals.
At the very least, it seems to provide an additional "marker" for the doctor to determine which patients need to be followed more closely and/or treated more aggressively.
I will definitely research this company on the internet to see what I can find. And I will also show your message to my husband. He is very skeptical. :yawn: :rolleyes:
Uff-Da!
06-07-2005, 07:18 PM
babydog - If you haven't already done so, you'll want to check out the company's website. They provide information such as "What is the difference between a screening and a diagnostic study?" which you may find interesting. A question was raised about insurance above. Though doctor's practices and insurance programs do vary, here is a quote from the company's website: Q. Can my physician do this type of screening as part of my routine physical?
A. No. Most physicians can only order diagnostic tests if you are experiencing symptoms. They are not able to order them as a preventive measure. Most insurance providers do not cover the cost of "preventive" screenings. Our goal is to identify individuals with significant disease through the screening process, before a problem occurs.
A. No. Most physicians can only order diagnostic tests if you are experiencing symptoms. They are not able to order them as a preventive measure. Most insurance providers do not cover the cost of "preventive" screenings. Our goal is to identify individuals with significant disease through the screening process, before a problem occurs.
tkgoodspirit
06-15-2005, 02:33 AM
My father just had a bone scan done today. He first went in at 10:30, and was then told to come back at 12:30. I think they inject some kind of a dye first, and then later on they do the scan. He has osteoporosis, and is currently suffering from a fracture in his back. The scan alone took one hour, and I'll bet this test alone will cost considerably more than $139.
Hi,
I've never posted on this board before, but I noticed this subject and just had to comment.
I recently had a bone scan done, same thing, injection then return 3 hours later. Mine was not a density scan but one for abnormalties in the bone structure. Anyway, I got the bill, before insurance, and the scan itself was over $1700. My share will be %20 of what my insurance allows under it's contract. Say the hospital CHARGES $1700, my insurance may only ALLOW $800, so I'll pay %20 of the allowed charge. I also had extensive blood work done on the same day, and the total bill just for all the blood work and this scan was over $3000.
Old saying "If it sounds to be good to be true, it usually is." No such thing as a "good deal" on medical testing, IMO. Besides, if you got this "ad" for these services in an email or snail mail, you gotta wonder, who the heck ARE these people who would be doing the testing? Are they trained, schooled, licensed? LEGAL? Illegal Immigrants?
Stay away from it.
Fondly,
tk
Hi,
I've never posted on this board before, but I noticed this subject and just had to comment.
I recently had a bone scan done, same thing, injection then return 3 hours later. Mine was not a density scan but one for abnormalties in the bone structure. Anyway, I got the bill, before insurance, and the scan itself was over $1700. My share will be %20 of what my insurance allows under it's contract. Say the hospital CHARGES $1700, my insurance may only ALLOW $800, so I'll pay %20 of the allowed charge. I also had extensive blood work done on the same day, and the total bill just for all the blood work and this scan was over $3000.
Old saying "If it sounds to be good to be true, it usually is." No such thing as a "good deal" on medical testing, IMO. Besides, if you got this "ad" for these services in an email or snail mail, you gotta wonder, who the heck ARE these people who would be doing the testing? Are they trained, schooled, licensed? LEGAL? Illegal Immigrants?
Stay away from it.
Fondly,
tk
Uff-Da!
06-15-2005, 01:11 PM
tkgoodspirit - I believe we are talking apples and oranges here. I had a bone density test as an osteoporosis screening in 2003. It was done upon referral from my doctor to a mobile unit which comes to town about once a month from a medical facility in a larger community. (That's how things some times work in a rural area.) The screening cost me $162. There was no injection, then return three hours later. It took maybe ten or 15 minutes. Perhaps if the screening test indicated a problem, that type of more detailed and more accurate test you mentioned would have been necessary, but there is no use in subjecting people to the injection and the high cost for a screening, if one can take the initial look with another method. Most people going through the screening will not need a more detailed test. Someone with medical knowledge could perhaps explain the difference between the tests; I'm sorry, I just don't have that kind of background.
I fully expect that the screening I had done for $162 is the same one the company babydog referred to offers for $35. The difference? Volume. When you line a couple of hundred people up and have them go through one after another, it is quite different than in a hospital setting or even the more private setting, individual appointment I had at my mobile screening. Same thing as when I get my flu shot when public health brings them to the local grocery store here. It would cost several times more if I got the shot at my doctor's office and had to pay for an office call, as well as the shot. But it is the same vaccination.
I fully expect that the screening I had done for $162 is the same one the company babydog referred to offers for $35. The difference? Volume. When you line a couple of hundred people up and have them go through one after another, it is quite different than in a hospital setting or even the more private setting, individual appointment I had at my mobile screening. Same thing as when I get my flu shot when public health brings them to the local grocery store here. It would cost several times more if I got the shot at my doctor's office and had to pay for an office call, as well as the shot. But it is the same vaccination.