Lake Champlain Cardiology Associates
52 Tom Miller Rd., Plattsburgh, NY 12901  (518) 563-2404
www.lccahearts.com

Ultrasound Screening
(or “Take my Money, please”)

Many of you have been solicited by a radiology company from out of the area who is advising you to get screening ultrasound of various body parts (carotids, aorta, etc.). This company claims that these exams are cheap, and can prevent serious medical problems.

THIS IS FALSE
First, these tests are not cheap. Any abnormality found will be reported back to you with the advice that you speak to your doctor. In all likelihood, your doctor will then have the study repeated by one of our local Board Certified physicians. Since insurance companies rarely cover screening tests, they may not pay for these repeat evaluations – you will be forced to cover it, in addition to the “cheap” test that you originally paid for.

Secondly, and most importantly, testing people who are not at high risk for a disease almost never makes sense. The reason is that most of the abnormalities found are either false, because these tests are far from perfect, or because the abnormalities detected are so minor that they lead to unnecessary tests that cost you more money, and place you at risks of complications from unnecessary procedures, without any benefits.

Either way, you lose.

This out of town radiology company is not about your health; it is about your money. And they want it.

Take our advice – don’t sign up and pay for unnecessary tests. If you think you’re at risk of a problem, talk with your doctor, and the two of you can decide together if a legitimate ultrasound test, or another test, is necessary. Don’t be scammed.