Wellness

[Shelbelle]

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

[Estellee]

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

[Icegoddess]

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.   

[Shelbelle]

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. 

[Shelbelle]

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. 

[walkingal]

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.  

[SilleeMee]

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.

[Nonametoday]

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.

[ellaphant]

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.

[ellaphant]

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@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.

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