General Screening Questions
If I see a doctor regularly, why should I have a HealthScreen test?
Much of the information obtained from a Screening session is not available to your doctor from routine office visits. For instance, if your doctor listens to your neck (to hear blood flowing in your Carotid Arteries, he or she may not hear a bruit (abnormal blood flow) unless plaque formation in your arteries is very significant. Intima-Medial Thickness (IMT) information can only be obtained by a special IMT ultrasound test, offering your physician information such as early detection of cardiovascular disease, progression of cardiovascular disease, and your risk level for developing cardiovascular disease.
Can a Screening be ordered by my doctor?
Yes. Some physicians recommend a Screening for their patients. Most physicians can order a diagnostic test if you have signs or symptoms of a disease but, due to the restrictions of most insurances including Medicare, they can not order a diagnostic test as a preventative screening. Screening tests are designed to separate normal patients from those with abnormal findings. Then a Screening patient’s physician can then decide how best to follow-up patients with abnormal findings such as with additional diagnostic testing and/or treatment.
Do Medicare or other insurance plans cover the cost of a HealthScreen test?
Currently, Medicare guidelines specifically do not cover the cost of any preventative health screening procedures. Other insurance plans vary considerably on this issue. While many insurance plans follow Medicare’s guidelines, there are some insurance plans that include a Health Savings Account (HSA) as part of the plan which can be used to pay the cost of a Screening test. To be certain if your insurance will pay for a Screening test, you would need to call your insurance company directly because all insurance plans are different. But, because so many plans do not cover the cost of preventative health screening, we have priced our HealthScreen Screening tests very reasonably at $50 (or $40 for a Carotid IMT only), less than many insurance plan co-payment amounts.
How often should I have a HealthScreen test?
Some people like to have a HealthScreen once a year, others less frequently. If your HealthScreen shows abnormal results, an annual Screening may be logical. If you are found to have a normal HealthScreen, repeating every 2-3 years would be appropriate. The report of your HealthScreen that is mailed to you also makes suggestions for repeat HealthScreen testing as determined by our physicians who review your test results. If you are uncertain when a repeat HealthScreen makes sense for you, perhaps your personal physician can give you a recommendation.
How long does a HealthScreen take?
A Screening session takes about 30 minutes for most individuals. You will first be asked to fill out a small amount of paperwork. After watching a short video which explains the test procedure thoroughly, you will then have the actual testing performed. The tests themselves are painless and very rarely uncomfortable.
What are the qualifications of the technologists who perform HealthScreens?
The technologists employed by HealthScreen are registered or registry eligible by a national registry board that requires applicants to pass an extensive two-part technical competency examination. Most of our technologists have passed multiple registry exams. In addition, Cardiodiagnostics, the parent company of HealthScreen, is accredited by three national accreditation committees: the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories (ICAVL), the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Echocardiography Laboratories (ICAEL), and the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Nuclear Laboratories (ICANL). Each of these agencies subjects organizations such as ours to extensive scrutiny of many aspects of our abilities and qualifications including our quality performance and accuracy, staff and physician competence, and equipment maintenance. The accreditation process is voluntary which we feel strongly signifies our commitment to assuring you the best test possible.
Who gets the results of my HealthScreen?
After your Screening is reviewed by one of our local, board-certified physicians, a report will be mailed to you. You will receive the report within ten days of your HealthScreen. We strongly recommend that you share your HealthScreen report with your personal physician on your next visit with him or her.
At what age should people have a Screening?
The American Heart Association has endorsed IMT, the most crucial part of a HealthScreen, for persons over the age of 45 years and for persons 18-45 years old with additional risk factors of cardiovascular disease. The National Stroke Association indicates your risk of stroke doubles when you are in your 50s. For anyone with any risk factors, the earlier in life a Screening is performed, the better. A life threatening or disabling illness can well be prevented if detected in time.
How much does a HealthScreen cost and what tests does it include?
Our HealthScreen package, which includes carotid artery ultrasound, Intima-Medial Thickness (IMT), blood pressure monitoring, EKG rhythm strip, and abdominal ultrasound costs only $50 (or $40 for a Carotid IMT only).
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