topic Life Line Screening, Worth It? in Wellness

Life Line Screening, Worth It?

Suzeecat — Wed, 06 Jan 2021 20:59:08 GMT

From time to time I get a solicitation in the mail about local screenings that include Carotid Artery Ultrasound, Heart Rhythm Screening, Abdominal Aortic aneurysm ultrasound, Peripheral Arterial Disease Screening and Osteoporosis assessment for "discount" pricing (in this latest case $150), not covered under my BCBS insurance.

i never thought I needed this before, but I'm not getting any younger and have had controlled high blood pressure for over 15 yrs now. Just wondering if it's worth it. Has anyone here had this screening and felt they got their $$ worth?

Re: Life Line Screening, Worth It?

FrostyBabe1 — Wed, 06 Jan 2021 21:11:22 GMT

@Suzeecat wrote:
From time to time I get a solicitation in the mail about local screenings that include Carotid Artery Ultrasound, Heart Rhythm Screening, Abdominal Aortic aneurysm ultrasound, Peripheral Arterial Disease Screening and Osteoporosis assessment for "discount" pricing (in this latest case $150), not covered under my BCBS insurance.

i never thought I needed this before, but I'm not getting any younger and have had controlled high blood pressure for over 15 yrs now. Just wondering if it's worth it. Has anyone here had this screening and felt they got their $$ worth?

I've gotten those as well, unfortunately because they held one of their "clinics" at my church and the office gave them contact info for all members without our permission. Took me forever to get them to stop e-mailing me.

My feeling is that if my primary care physician thought those tests were necessary, she'd not only order them, she'd have her office take any needed steps to make sure my insurance would cover them.

Re: Life Line Screening, Worth It?

kaydee50 — Wed, 06 Jan 2021 21:15:57 GMT

I once asked my PCP about these tests. As expected, she dissed them because she wouldn't be making any money so asking your doctor about them is kind of pointless, IMO. I chose not to do it but maybe there are some objective opinions out there.

Re: Life Line Screening, Worth It?

pdxlalesley — Wed, 06 Jan 2021 21:18:07 GMT

@Suzeecat ,Yes it was, for me. Especially with regard to the carotid artery test.

We have excellent health coverage, but no expensive diagnostic tests I was curious about, would be ordered without the need for it. I was not wanting to have a stroke or heart attack as my way of finding out I needed a test, and that my arteries were clogged.

I was told by the staff administering the test when they were done that I needed to immediately see my doctor or get to the nearest E.R. I was handed all my test results and tearfully told my husband to drive to the closest E.R.

At the E.R. after 5 hours I saw a heart specialist who put in a call to my doctor and scheduled a next-day office visit for me. At that time by my PCP, I was prescribed a statin drug, advised to get a blood pressure monitor and pamphlets on diet guidelines.

So it was a terrifying day, but I think about what could have happened instead. For me, it was money well-spent.

Re: Life Line Screening, Worth It?

KingstonsMom — Wed, 06 Jan 2021 21:19:57 GMT

@Suzeecat

IMO, no.

You pay to be tested for a myriad of illnesses that you may have no symptoms of having.

I would depend on my Dr's routine tests that may indicate a problem where more testing is warranted for something specific.

It's a money grab, designed to prey on people's health fears.

You can google "Life Line Screening reviews" to see what others think of it and their experience.

Re: Life Line Screening, Worth It?

KingstonsMom — Wed, 06 Jan 2021 21:28:20 GMT

@kaydee50 wrote:
I once asked my PCP about these tests. As expected, she dissed them because she wouldn't be making any money so asking your doctor about them is kind of pointless, IMO. I chose not to do it but maybe there are some objective opinions out there.

@kaydee50

I highly doubt that your PCP told that was why she "dissed them", but my question is why would you have a PCP that you think so little of them and their opinion?????

That makes no sense whatsoever to me.....but it doesn't need to, I don't live your life.

Re: Life Line Screening, Worth It?

SXMGirl — Wed, 06 Jan 2021 21:31:00 GMT

@Suzeecat We get this done every few years and then bring the results to the doctor, and we really just do this for peace of mind. Our doctor said that she could prescribe the same tests, but they would not be done at the same time. Even though we have insurance, I do not want to spend any more time than necessary trying to schedule these tests. This is a one and done.

Re: Life Line Screening, Worth It?

Ainhisg — Wed, 06 Jan 2021 21:52:43 GMT

Straight from Harvard Medical School--No. And if you look at the kind of testing they do for osteoporosis, it is not a bone scan density test.

https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/By_the_way_doctor_Should_I_be_tested_at_Life_Line_Screening

Re: Life Line Screening, Worth It?

Lipstickdiva — Wed, 06 Jan 2021 21:56:59 GMT

We've gotten those before as well. My husband's cardiologist told him to throw it into the trash.

Re: Life Line Screening, Worth It?

SilleeMee — Wed, 06 Jan 2021 21:59:39 GMT

I would not get it done because I'm the kind of person who doesn't go looking for something which may or may not be problematic. I would rather have a routine wellness 'checkup' and be evaluated from that. I don't believe in looking for trouble. I believe in prevention and, if needed, treating symptoms when and if they come along.

Re: Life Line Screening, Worth It?

Anonymous032819 — Wed, 06 Jan 2021 22:01:22 GMT

They are a waste of money.

They prey on people's fears, and is nothing more than a money grab and a scam.

don't fall for it.

Re: Life Line Screening, Worth It?

SilleeMee — Wed, 06 Jan 2021 22:08:33 GMT

Basic blood tests, for example chem panels and CBCs, along with a routine urinalysis will give a doctor a very good picture of your general health. Believe it or not the most useful, and least expensive screening test, is a urinalysis. A doctor can determine a lot of stuff just by looking at your UA.

Re: Life Line Screening, Worth It?

kaydee50 — Wed, 06 Jan 2021 22:14:00 GMT

@KingstonsMom I changed my PCP. But I don't see any doctor recommending these tests although IMO they can be useful as a previous poster noted. Doctors are not infallible.

Re: Life Line Screening, Worth It?

patbz — Wed, 06 Jan 2021 22:30:08 GMT

@pdxlalesley : Hope you are using the guidance you were given. That said, a statin prescription and dietary guidance don't constitute an emergency. I also have great insurance and get a yearly physical ( every year since I was 40 ). I am on a statin as a result of an insurance covered blood test.

Re: Life Line Screening, Worth It?

KingstonsMom — Wed, 06 Jan 2021 22:35:02 GMT

@kaydee50 wrote:
@KingstonsMom I changed my PCP. But I don't see any doctor recommending these tests although IMO they can be useful as a previous poster noted. Doctors are not infallible.

@kaydee50

Sorry, but I'll take the word of Harvard University (post 8) and many other medical professionals, over one QVC poster.

Re: Life Line Screening, Worth It?

Carmie — Wed, 06 Jan 2021 22:42:38 GMT

@kaydee50 wrote:
I once asked my PCP about these tests. As expected, she dissed them because she wouldn't be making any money so asking your doctor about them is kind of pointless, IMO. I chose not to do it but maybe there are some objective opinions out there.

Unless your doctor owns the lab, she would not be making any money on these tests if she ordered them for you.

Re: Life Line Screening, Worth It?

BlueFinch — Wed, 06 Jan 2021 23:19:28 GMT

@pdxlalesley Honestly, it makes me angry that the diagnostic staff urged immediate medical attention -- even the ER. That was nuts. It was unnecessary to terrify you that way. Heck, that could give someone a heart attack. I personally don't think that was handled appropriately. I hope they don't behave that way every time they have an abnormal finding.

It's clear that there wasn't something emergent by the follow up you had with your PCP the next day. It was a typical visit many of us have had where we're put on a plan to lower our cholesterol, with dietary recommendations and sometimes statins. And, of course, it's a good idea for everyone to follow their blood pressure with home monitoring.

All that said, I hope you have lowered your lipid numbers and it's great you continue to take care of your health. Best to you.

Re: Life Line Screening, Worth It?

millieshops — Wed, 06 Jan 2021 23:29:29 GMT

For me the answer is a decided no, but I suspect it depends upon whether you have insurance that covers tests as they are indicated AND whether you have a G.P. who is following you carefully.

I do now, but at one point I know I felt if I didn’t remind my doctor of some of the issues that concern me most more because of my family history than even the problems we were already attending to regularly, then he wouldn’t always check for things.

at some point, he began adding in-depth geriatric studies as he updated himself and I have profited from what he has learned. Sometimes he has recommended tests covered by those screenings and sometimes we have discussed them and decided they seem inappropriate for me. So far, so good.

Re: Life Line Screening, Worth It?

HLP — Wed, 06 Jan 2021 23:38:49 GMT

@Suzeecat wrote:
From time to time I get a solicitation in the mail about local screenings that include Carotid Artery Ultrasound, Heart Rhythm Screening, Abdominal Aortic aneurysm ultrasound, Peripheral Arterial Disease Screening and Osteoporosis assessment for "discount" pricing (in this latest case $150), not covered under my BCBS insurance.

i never thought I needed this before, but I'm not getting any younger and have had controlled high blood pressure for over 15 yrs now. Just wondering if it's worth it. Has anyone here had this screening and felt they got their $$ worth?

I have had al these tests, believe me they are well worth the money. Do this as a New Years gift to yourself. They are the most valueble test you can have.

Re: Life Line Screening, Worth It?

fthunt — Wed, 06 Jan 2021 23:43:28 GMT

@SilleeMee They will find 'some thing' off....... to justify their procedure. Don't go with a obvious rash.