topic Re: Advanced Mammogram Screenings ?? in Wellness

Advanced Mammogram Screenings ??

Shelbelle — Sat, 29 Jun 2024 14:31:24 GMT

I called my usual imaging center yesterday to get appt. for annual routine mamm. The rep said since Oct. they have an advanced and enhanced way of reading the films using AI which finds things not found as early on the usual reading method. This is called Enhanced Breast Cancer Detection, insurances, Medicare included, is not paying for it yet and there is a $40 fee to have it read this way. She said I can think about it and pay when I come if I want it. No difference in the actual screening method, just how the results are read. Anyone have this done yet ? Thanks

Re: Advanced Mammogram Screenings ??

Estellee — Sat, 29 Jun 2024 14:52:55 GMT

No I hadn't heard about this and I just had one done at the hospital 2 months ago, no co pay.

Re: Advanced Mammogram Screenings ??

Icegoddess — Sat, 29 Jun 2024 15:05:17 GMT

No, it was not an option when I got mine, but I probably would't opt for it anyways. I've only in the last couple of years started getting the 3D one.

Re: Advanced Mammogram Screenings ??

Shelbelle — Sat, 29 Jun 2024 15:12:18 GMT

The 3D one has been around for a long time now, my center only does 3D, insurance has paid it for it for many years now.

Re: Advanced Mammogram Screenings ??

Shelbelle — Sat, 29 Jun 2024 15:13:31 GMT

One of my friends just told me she opted not to get the Enhanced last month, and one just told me she got it 2 weeks ago and paid the copay for it.

Re: Advanced Mammogram Screenings ??

walkingal — Sat, 29 Jun 2024 15:16:50 GMT

It was offered to me at my last mammogram in 9/2023. I got it. The receptionist explained it was new, insurance did not cover it, cost $40. When I received my mammogram results through the mail, those results were also listed. I'm glad I got it. I mentioned it to my medical oncologist at my next exam with her, and she said good that I got it.

Re: Advanced Mammogram Screenings ??

SilleeMee — Sat, 29 Jun 2024 15:27:09 GMT

I'll pay the extra if I can get my results with fewer false positives. That will save me the worry and the extra visit to confirm a false positive which comes with another co-pay.

Re: Advanced Mammogram Screenings ??

Nonametoday — Sat, 29 Jun 2024 15:28:01 GMT

In late 2022, I was diagnosed via mammogram with a breast cancer. The radiologist told me I needed an advanced mammogram and would have it as soon as they were prepared and they would call me, within 5-10 minutes. I told them that my insurance might not pay for it and they said "Oh, yes. We already have confirmation that they will." Then I was told they had found what they felt was cancer and called my insurance companies who guaranteed the payment based on that. I did, indeed, have breast cancer and because it was a low stage and grade, I waited 18months to have mastectomy secondary to others in my family much sicker. It was fine that I waited. My oncologist kept my cancer at bay with chemo and hormones.

Re: Advanced Mammogram Screenings ??

ellaphant — Sat, 29 Jun 2024 15:44:54 GMT

My mother and grandmother both had breast cancer. My grandmother died from it and my mother developed Ovarian cancer 35 years later and died from it.

I get 3D mammo and sonogram.

Have for decades. Never had a false positive.

Re: Advanced Mammogram Screenings ??

ellaphant — Sat, 29 Jun 2024 15:46:13 GMT

@SilleeMee wrote:
I'll pay the extra if I can get my results with fewer false positives. That will save me the worry and the extra visit to confirm a false positive which comes with another co-pay.

I'd rather have a false positive than not use the best technology that misses something.

Re: Advanced Mammogram Screenings ??

conlt — Sat, 29 Jun 2024 15:49:43 GMT

I would pay the $40 for enhanced screening. That is a small price to pay for my health.

Re: Advanced Mammogram Screenings ??

ThinkingOutLoud — Sat, 29 Jun 2024 17:53:38 GMT

I wonder how this new AI method compares to thermography that's been around for some time and finds things sooner than mamms have.

Re: Advanced Mammogram Screenings ??

cindyNC — Sat, 29 Jun 2024 17:57:25 GMT

@Nonametoday I just got diagnosed via mammogram and biopsy with a 6mm malignant lump.

I know all circumstances are different, but I'd never heard of keeping it at bay with chemo and hormones. I'm having a lumpectomy, maybe localized radiation therapy, and definitely the estrogren suppression drugs.

My surgeon, who has a sense of humor, told me if I wanted any breast work done afterwards, cancer would write the ticket with the insurance company. I guess that's the magic dx for payment.

Re: Advanced Mammogram Screenings ??

Toots711 — Sat, 29 Jun 2024 18:42:38 GMT

@Shelbelle wrote:
I called my usual imaging center yesterday to get appt. for annual routine mamm. The rep said since Oct. they have an advanced and enhanced way of reading the films using AI which finds things not found as early on the usual reading method. This is called Enhanced Breast Cancer Detection, insurances, Medicare included, is not paying for it yet and there is a $40 fee to have it read this way. She said I can think about it and pay when I come if I want it. No difference in the actual screening method, just how the results are read. Anyone have this done yet ? Thanks

@Shelbelle

Yes, and I paid the extra fee.

Re: Advanced Mammogram Screenings ??

Nonametoday — Sat, 29 Jun 2024 19:41:59 GMT

@cindyNC wrote:
@Nonametoday I just got diagnosed via mammogram and biopsy with a 6mm malignant lump.

I know all circumstances are different, but I'd never heard of keeping it at bay with chemo and hormones. I'm having a lumpectomy, maybe localized radiation therapy, and definitely the estrogren suppression drugs.

My surgeon, who has a sense of humor, told me if I wanted any breast work done afterwards, cancer would write the ticket with the insurance company. I guess that's the magic dx for payment.

@cindyNC

I put the lives of my children with cancer and my husband's heart health ahead of my small cancer. I had a child dying with cancer and two who needed surgery for cancer and my husband needed heart surgery x2 which turned out to be 5 and in the meantime, we both had Covid and were in ICU for 2 weeks and I had a MVA and required knee surgery and steering wheel hit me in the chest causing me to have a flail chest. Sometimes we don't have control over our lives and I had to plan funerals and take care of the living in hopes they don't die.

Re: Advanced Mammogram Screenings ??

JYWilliams — Sat, 29 Jun 2024 19:48:04 GMT

@cindyNC wrote:
@Nonametoday I just got diagnosed via mammogram and biopsy with a 6mm malignant lump.

I know all circumstances are different, but I'd never heard of keeping it at bay with chemo and hormones. I'm having a lumpectomy, maybe localized radiation therapy, and definitely the estrogren suppression drugs.

My surgeon, who has a sense of humor, told me if I wanted any breast work done afterwards, cancer would write the ticket with the insurance company. I guess that's the magic dx for payment.

@cindyNC I hope everything goes well and I am wishing you a speedy recovery. I'll be having a Ultrasound guided biopsy on Tuesday myself so I am a little nervous.

Re: Advanced Mammogram Screenings ??

SaveTheTurtles — Sun, 30 Jun 2024 00:38:23 GMT

My clinic only does 3D imaging and it is covered 100% by insurance as preventative. I believe it is read by a radiologist and not AI.

Re: Advanced Mammogram Screenings ??

cindyNC — Sun, 30 Jun 2024 01:10:26 GMT

@Nonametoday I'm so sorry you have had so many family members that were not well.

Re: Advanced Mammogram Screenings ??

bargainsgirl — Sun, 30 Jun 2024 03:10:01 GMT

@Shelbelle wrote:
I called my usual imaging center yesterday to get appt. for annual routine mamm. The rep said since Oct. they have an advanced and enhanced way of reading the films using AI which finds things not found as early on the usual reading method. This is called Enhanced Breast Cancer Detection, insurances, Medicare included, is not paying for it yet and there is a $40 fee to have it read this way. She said I can think about it and pay when I come if I want it. No difference in the actual screening method, just how the results are read. Anyone have this done yet ? Thanks

Yes I have. My mammo was in March and this was offered for the 1st time. I am an 8 year breast cancer survivor so I thought it would be an additional set of "eyes" for me. Totally worth the $40. I have always had the 3D (pretty standard now) and I also have a breast ultra -sound (both breasts). EBCD is simply another method of interpretation so it does NOT affect your actual mammo procedure. Good luck!

Re: Advanced Mammogram Screenings ??

tends2dogs — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 16:30:42 GMT

@ThinkingOutLoud wrote:
I wonder how this new AI method compares to thermography that's been around for some time and finds things sooner than mamms have.

@ThinkingOutLoud do you have thermograms? I have been having them for over 20 years. Last year was the first time that they saw inflammation in one of my breasts and sent me for a breast MRI. That test showed all was good, no sign of anything.