topic Re: Screening Chest Xray? in Wellness

Screening Chest Xray?

granddi — Thu, 22 Sep 2022 18:39:27 GMT

Has anyone ever ask for or been recommended to receive a screening chest Xray?

I know a second person who has received a delayed lung cancer diagnosis. It seems that a screening Xray would have value if the goal is early detection.

I understand about un-necessary radiation and insurance rules. Is this a test that is doable and valuable but not offered to the masses. It seems more and more that health care IS reationed. It is rationed by insured vs uninsured. Rationed by age. Rationed by which insurance you have. I was talking to my doc about the the calcium score. Her remark was "insurance doesn't pay." Me: I don't care. Doc: "that's executive medicine" Me: I'm an executive. Make the appointment. "

On the same topic, has anyone had a private pay full body CT scan? Lots of advertising around the Dallas area.

Re: Screening Chest Xray?

RedTop — Thu, 22 Sep 2022 18:45:41 GMT

My husband receives a screening chest X-ray yearly at the VA due to being a smoker. This has been a yearly requirement for at least 15+ years.

Re: Screening Chest Xray?

BklynKinsey — Thu, 22 Sep 2022 18:54:28 GMT

@granddi This addresses the other part of your post -- the calcium score. My doctor wanted me to go for a cardiac stress test or a nuclear cardiac stress test. I didn't want to do either. He then ordered a coronary calcium scan to get my calcium score. The test was quick, easy and my score was 11 -- thank goodness. Medicare and my supplemental insurance (United HealthCare) paid for the test.

Re: Screening Chest Xray?

kaydee50 — Thu, 22 Sep 2022 19:11:56 GMT

When my DH had a bad cough, he had a chest x-ray. As for the whole body CT scan, unless there was a particular reason, why would anyone do that?

What is a calcium score??

Re: Screening Chest Xray?

hopi — Thu, 22 Sep 2022 19:22:30 GMT

@kaydee50 wrote:
When my DH had a bad cough, he had a chest x-ray. As for the whole body CT scan, unless there was a particular reason, why would anyone do that?

What is a calcium score??

Lung cancer can be a common occurrence in older people even in non smokers.

CT scans seems to be the next test to abnormal chest x rays.

@kaydee50 I with you never heard of a calcium score.

Re: Screening Chest Xray?

granddi — Thu, 22 Sep 2022 19:50:22 GMT

10 MOST COMMON MISSED OR DELAYED DIAGNOSES BY MEDICAL CONDITION

Derived from 836 relevant cases from patient safety incident reports, malpractice claims, morbidity and mortality rounds (conferences that review patient deaths and complications), and focus group responses. Reported in JAMA Network Open.

Colorectal cancer
Lung cancer
Breast cancer
Myocardial infarction (heart attack)
Prostate cancer
Stroke
Sepsis
Bladder cancer
Pulmonary embolism
Brain hemorrhage

My thought was: why is there no screening for lung cancer?

Re: Screening Chest Xray?

Pantsonfire2 — Thu, 22 Sep 2022 20:28:05 GMT

By the grace of God my lung cancer was discovered on a chest X-ray my physician recommended because I was a former smoker and monitored it. I had NO SYMPTOMS. I was at stage 1 ... but had the upper lobe of my lung removed. I had no radiation or chemo. Lung cancer moves very quickly and is almost undetectable until too late. I still have a surveillance X-ray or CT scan every year. You have to live with your choice to decline an X-ray or get one ... but lung cancer is more prevalent than breast cancer yet it gets more publicity thru the pink campaign but young non-smoking women are #1 in lung cancer. It's not really a decision you can afford to take for granted. P.S. ... if your doctor doesn't suggest getting an X-ray, tell him you want one ...

Re: Screening Chest Xray?

ThinkingOutLoud — Thu, 22 Sep 2022 20:32:58 GMT

Thermography catches things earlier than xrays and ct scans. You can have an area done (ie chest) or full body.

Re: Screening Chest Xray?

granddi — Thu, 22 Sep 2022 21:13:20 GMT

@Pantsonfire2 Thank you for sharing!!!

Re: Screening Chest Xray?

catter70 — Thu, 22 Sep 2022 21:21:11 GMT

I was a heavy smoker for many, many years. I stopped 11 years ago, but have COPD. Starting about 10 years ago, my doc sent me for a lung scan and all was well until last Nov. when a mass was found in my left lower lobe. Went for pet scan which showed mass had shrunk some, same with next scan. I go again in Dec. for another scan and depending on findings, may need a biopsy Fingers crossed.

Re: Screening Chest Xray?

Q4u — Thu, 22 Sep 2022 21:56:38 GMT

I was diagnosed with Pulmonary Sarcoidosis in my late 30's and had a yearly chest X-Ray for about 20 years. My case of Sarcoidosis remissed on its own which I was told was very rare. I was very lucky.

Re: Screening Chest Xray?

Jo1313 — Thu, 22 Sep 2022 22:36:16 GMT

Had a chest x-ray..during a hospital stay..They saw "something" on my kidney..That something was stage 3 kidney cancer..The kidney was removed..I am now 2 yrs. cancer free.

Re: Screening Chest Xray?

chrystaltree — Fri, 23 Sep 2022 01:34:58 GMT

Insurers don't pay for screening chest x-rays. They haven't paid for them in many years. If a person has symptoms and the doctor orders a chest xray, that is NOT a screening xray, it's diagnostic. Same with full body CT scans, no insurer pays for them unless there is documented medical necessity. Doctors don't take orders from patients when it comes to medical tests and imaging, everything must follow established clinical criteria. But you can find a boutique or concierge practice that bills patient's directly and doesn't participate or bill any insurer.

Re: Screening Chest Xray?

chrystaltree — Fri, 23 Sep 2022 01:39:24 GMT

@RedTop wrote:
My husband receives a screening chest X-ray yearly at the VA due to being a smoker. This has been a yearly requirement for at least 15+ years.

That is not screening. He's a long time smoker and there is a Icd 10 diagnosis code for that.

Re: Screening Chest Xray?

chrystaltree — Fri, 23 Sep 2022 01:45:03 GMT

@Q4u wrote:
I was diagnosed with Pulmonary Sarcoidosis in my late 30's and had a yearly chest X-Ray for about 20 years. My case of Sarcoidosis remissed on its own which I was told was very rare. I was very lucky.

Once again, that was NOT screening. You were being followed up for a diagnosis of "history of Sarcoidosis". It has a diagnosis code.

You people need to stop, you giving me a headache and hubby the RN is laughing.

Re: Screening Chest Xray?

hckynutjohn — Sat, 24 Sep 2022 06:08:32 GMT

@granddi

In the last 2 years I have lost count of the number of chest Xrays and CT Scans I have had. Most were screening for broken ribs, and my punctured left lung.

Most recent doppler scan(1 week ago) was to see if I had a blood clot in my left arm, I do! I consider all the Xrays and other of the many types of scans I have had, a Screening.

Rules? Never heard any of my doctors say: "I better check the rules" first!

hckynut 🇺🇸

Re: Screening Chest Xray?

Snooky60 — Fri, 23 Sep 2022 05:41:27 GMT

@catter70 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻💗

Re: Screening Chest Xray?

BalletBabe — Fri, 23 Sep 2022 06:26:12 GMT

@granddi No Dr. is going to order a chest x-ray unless you are having a problem. They can't just order tests that a patient wants unless you are willing to pay for it. You could call your Ins. Company and ask. My Dr. was terrible at ordering things and Ins. Co refused to pay. I am no longer with the idiot. Also Dr.'s are sometimes dumb, and they think it will be covered, and then it is not.

This idiot when giving me a new RX was about 200.00 a month, I refused to take it. When I told him the price, under his breath He said no it don't. He don't realize I have really good hearing, I said call the pharmacy then. He looked shocked because he thought I would not hear him. LOL== Surprise! That is when I walked out.

Re: Screening Chest Xray?

CelticCrafter — Fri, 23 Sep 2022 12:23:55 GMT

@granddi wrote:
Has anyone ever ask for or been recommended to receive a screening chest Xray?

I know a second person who has received a delayed lung cancer diagnosis. It seems that a screening Xray would have value if the goal is early detection.

I understand about un-necessary radiation and insurance rules. Is this a test that is doable and valuable but not offered to the masses. It seems more and more that health care IS reationed. It is rationed by insured vs uninsured. Rationed by age. Rationed by which insurance you have. I was talking to my doc about the the calcium score. Her remark was "insurance doesn't pay." Me: I don't care. Doc: "that's executive medicine" Me: I'm an executive. Make the appointment. "

On the same topic, has anyone had a private pay full body CT scan? Lots of advertising around the Dallas area.

What are they charging for that?

Before any agreements (?) are worked out between the hospital and Medicare the original cost of Chest CT Scan with contrast and Abdomen/Pelvis CT Scan with contrast is over $7,000.

Re: Screening Chest Xray?

Q4u — Fri, 23 Sep 2022 20:48:59 GMT

I was diagnosed with Pulmonary Sarcoidosis in my late 30's and had a yearly chest X-Ray for about 20 years. My case of Sarcoidosis remissed on its own which I was told was very rare. I was very lucky.

Once again, that was NOT screening. You were being followed up for a diagnosis of "history of Sarcoidosis". It has a diagnosis code.

You people need to stop, you giving me a headache and hubby the RN is laughing.

I never said it was a "screening". I had a full diagnosis through Kaiser and the X-Rays I had each year were to make sure my remission was still in a remission. My pulmonary doctor fully expected it to return but it didn't. Once again, I never said it was a "screening" but thought it might be interesting because of the rarity. I should have stated it was a follow up so no one would assume that's what I meant. For that I appologize.....