You Might Need an Ultrasound With That Mammogram

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My insurance coverage for Ultrasounds says that I will pay nothing for an ultrasound for office based services and I would have to pay 20% for non-office based services. I don't get that - what is the difference? My PCP isn't telling me I need to have the ultrasound the radiology people are. Until I find out what the difference is and what is going to have to come out of my pocket they will have to deal with just the mammography results - which were negative by the way.

MsP of TX 6:01PM November 20, 2012

I have ultrasound in addition to mammograms as a mammogram, by itself did not pick up a first rather aggressive tumor, because of dense tissue. Then again, mammogram, ultrasound, MRI and Cone beam scanner failed to pick up a second less aggressive cancer. I found both while doing a BSE.

Ruth of NY 11:46AM October 01, 2012

My mammogram showed that I had somewhat dense breasts, the radiologist said she was 80% sure that I'd have to go have the U/S screening also. I feel she was very informative! It didn't scare me off from going to have my yearly at all. I like that my doctor's office offers that recommendation, that makes me MORE likely to keep going to that radiologist!

Katie of CT 10:15AM April 26, 2012

I have had a history of cysts, biopsies in my breasts. My last Mammo was a year ago. I just had 3 CAT scans in the last 4 months because of uterine cancer and lung nodules. The last 2 CAT scans they saw the cysts and immediately wanted to send me to a breast surgeon. They hadn't looked at my history. Once I pointed my history, they said it was ok. This last CAT scan was last Thursday.....and they want me to have a mammogram. Wouldn't it be better to have an MRI. What would a mammograms show at this point? I don't even know if they have looked at my history again....frustrated!

Kathy White of CA 12:45PM October 10, 2011

It's despicable that health insurers do not include ultrasound under preventatitive procedures that are covered 100% waiving the deductible. I have a high ded insurance plan with Anthem because I'm unemployed now after 34 years of employment, and have to foot my own insurance! Just went for my preventative physical. Always have had to repeat mammos because of dense breasts. This year they said due to my history, to get an ultrasound as well. No way! It's not covered without deductible! I can't afford to pay for ultrasound as well as my insurance premiums. I don't even go to the doctor... EVER! They don't care if you live or die anymore... despicable!

Diane of CT 10:54AM October 05, 2011

As I read, none of them have any results. I had a mammogram and there were not any abnormailties seen. They are recommending that I have an u/s b c my breast are dense as well. My insurance doesn't cover it so I have to come up with 387.60 to have it done. Now I feel like I have insurance for nothing. Im under thirty with a right breast mass and have insuance that will not cover the procedure. My family pays out over 300 a month for insurance and the mam is covered and not the u/s. It's not medical its prevenative!!! All that to say this, Im a young woman with a mass and do not have the funds to get u/s. Prayer is all l that I have!!! God speed to you all of you!

Shelia Foy of TX 1:05AM August 02, 2011

Had both stage 4 what do I do net

vera of OH 5:23AM May 23, 2011

I had put off getting a mammogram for years and years, but my doctor finally said not to come back until I had one, so I went. Well. Apparently I have very dense breasts. After vieweing the first 4 plates, the radiologist wanted 4 more angles. Then after viewing 8 plates, I was told he couldn't tell anything because my breast tissue is too dense. I was whisked into another room -- the ultrasound room -- and underwent a full ultrasound, after reviewing which the doctor came in and did it all over again because he couldn't tell anything from the ultrasound technician's pictures. After all that they said they couldn't see anything problematic. After 3 hours I was heading out of the facility, thinking I was done because my plan pays for screening tests in full, when they grabbed me and said I needed to sign something else, which turned out to be a big bill I couldn't afford to pay. Even if the mammogram is a failure, it seems the alternative isn't covered.
If like me you have never had children, you may have dense breast tissue. A mammogram in that case is a waste of time, and your plan may not pay for ultrasound. The medical community needs to stop ramming mammograms down everyone's throat without distinction. Medical plans need to address the issue of the cost/benefit of mammograms/ultrasound for women who are younger or who haven't had children.

LBG of FL 9:22AM November 17, 2010

i had a mamrmogram today, followed by an ultrasound, which i was unaware they were going to do. she did one breast then came back and said the dr wanted her to do the other one, durn why didnt she just do both to start with. i initially went to my obgyn because i had pain in my left breast and i felt lumps where the pain was. she felt them too, and counted about 6 or them, so she sent me for this mammo...just waiting for her to call me i guess, to either set up follow up appt or tell me not to worry about it. tonight after the mammogram i noticed prominent blue veins in my right breast, like someone drew them on there with a marker. no pain just large blue veins.

robin of VA 12:07AM October 14, 2010

The last few years I have had a breast density of 51% to 75% and just this year it increased to "greater than 75%". Also, I have had what they say is "too many to count" cysts for at least the last 6 years. I am 46 years of age with a slight history (maternal aunt) of breast cancer. First off, it took me doing research to learn that I have dense breast and that because of this I am at an increased risk of breast cancer. Not one time has a doctor informed me of my density let alone informed me of the increased risk of BC. I have learned this on my own by reading my reports and then doing research. To sum this up so that to not take up your time, over the last six years I have seen general doctor, ob/gyn, gyn that specializes in woman's health, two breast surgeon's as well as a Cancer center that is the only accredited breast cancer center in my state. NONE of these doctors have ever taken the time to explain my condition. All they tell me is that I have many cyst and to come back in six months. Only once did one of the breast surgeons aspirate two of the cyst. After researching this I learned that if the cyst comes back to go straight back to the doctor, but they did not tell me this. Overall, I have taken comfort in the fact that I have always had the ultrasound done each year. I know that this helps to lesson my chances on a missed diagnosis. As far as the cyst go, I leave just praying that they (doctors) know what they are doing.
This past May I lost my job which means I lost my health insurance. Because of this, last month I attended a program that was giving free mammograms. I pretty much knew that they would be calling me back, which they did. I went back for a spot compression and ultrasound. I was alarmed greatly when they only viewed about 1/3 of each breast and said.."they are all cyst". Talk about feeling unprotected, I am feeling worse than I ever have when it comes to my breast care. I feel sure this occurred due to my lack of health insurance. And, this was actually at the breast cancer care center. So here I am left to feel like that I am not being grateful for the free testing not to mention having to approach the doctors as if they do not know what they are doing, but yet I do??? I did call my primary care doctor. She is going to lobby to get me back in there. But now I do not feel so good going back plus that has been a week ago and no word.
One more thing, my ultrasounds always come back with a Birad 3 "probably benign. Hate that statement. I can't image going through the next 12 months with having the fear that they may have missed something due to the lack of the ultrasound.
Might you have any suggestions? Am I worried unnecessarily?

Debbie of KY 10:49PM October 13, 2010