Women’s imaging encompasses many radiology procedures related to women and the diseases that are most prevalent to women such as breast cancer or gynecological issues. Mammogram, breast ultrasound, breast MRI and breast biopsy are the most commonly used procedures.
Two respected radiology organizations have issued a stark warning on the new recommendations, stating that they risk confusing patients and “may contribute to thousands of additional breast cancer deaths each year.”
Women with dense breasts or other heightened risk factors for breast cancer may be on the cusp of receiving 100% coverage for additional imaging beyond standard mammography.
These notifications can sometimes leave many patients feeling even more bewildered about their mammogram results than they were before being made aware of their dense tissue.
A study presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America is raising questions about the safety of consuming even the slightest amount of alcohol while pregnant.
Although the Affordable Care Act eliminated OOP costs for screening mammograms under most insurance plans, that coverage does not carry over to the additional exams that are needed when abnormal findings are uncovered.
A patient survey revealed that more than one in five women would likely skip indicated follow-up screenings if they had to pay a deductible, even if an initial mammogram revealed abnormalities.