News Taffy

The last few years have seen a proliferation in the number of companies and hospitals that provide health screening services. You may have received a letter from one of these companies informing you that they will be in your area performing a package deal on screening tests such as lipid panels, carotid artery ultrasounds and bone density tests for one low fee. But are these tests necessary, and are they performed by welltrained medical professionals? What about those MRI and baby ultrasound picture places that promise fast, convenient service?

There are definitely mixed feelings among doctors and nurses about health fairs and screening services. On the one hand, the companies that offer these services for a fee are praying upon our worst fears – that we have some dreadful condition that we aren’t aware of yet. Plus, some doctors feel it is a waste of money to test people who have no indications of disease. But, many people are walking around with undiagnosed conditions that need treatment, such as diabetes or high blood pressure. They may have no symptoms or have simply ignored the warning signs.

After talking with a few local physicians, the consensus is that anyone who sees their physician for yearly exams, as well as most young people under the age of 30, can skip the health screenings. But, if you don’t see a physician regularly or have been experiencing symptoms which worry you, feel free to participate in one of these screenings. Before you pay for health screenings, be aware that many hospitals provide free health screenings throughout the year, so paying for a package deal isn’t necessary.

Many large companies are self-insured and offer many benefits and incentives to their employees to stay healthy, such as onsite gyms, a nurse on staff and health screening opportunities. CardiOptics is a local business that specializes in heart health screenings for businesses and large groups throughout the U.S., as well as in our region. My husband believes screenings of this type for high blood pressure, peripheral vascular disease and carotid artery intimal thickness can help prevent someone from suffering a heart attack or stroke. Self-insured businesses that offer these screening fairs believe it greatly reduces their health care costs.

Independent imaging centers are another new development in health care. These centers are not affiliated with a hospital or doctors’ group and offer a variety of services such as MRIs or ultrasound scans to look for problems such as tumors, injuries or aneurysms. There are also imaging centers that specialize in determining the sex of an unborn child or providing you with 3D or 4D images of your unborn child. Sneak a Peek and Millennium MRI here in Jonesboro offer quick service and accept most insurance but also accept credit, debit or cash. Both require a doctor’s order for the test (except for the 3D and 4D images) and have a certified radiologist who reads the test and provides a report for your doctor, usually within 24 hours. The main benefits to using one of these services as opposed to your hospital or doctor’s group are fast appointments and an affordable price or payment plan for those who are uninsured, underinsured or have a high deductible.

Jason Brandt, a local orthopedic doctor, told me he has no problem when his patients want to use one of these services, though he does prefer to use the imaging center at his hospital. He says the only drawback is that the patient doesn’t always bring a report from the imaging center to their appointment with him, thus requiring another appointment if he can’t reach the radiologist who read the scan.

As with any type of health care provider, you should ask questions before you use one of these imaging centers and understand exactly what your costs will be and what services you will receive, then decide what best fits your pocket book.

Ultimately, you are in control of your health, so you must decide whether a health screening is a good option for you or a family member. What will you do with the results? Are you willing to make a change in your lifestyle or to follow through with a visit to a physician if the results indicate a need to do so? Most of these screenings are quick and painless, and you can stay dressed the whole time. When you consider that the earlier a problem is found, the better your chances are for successful treatment and a cure, why not take some time for a free check?