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HealthView
Q. Who should have a BSI Body Scan?
A. Generally, men and women over 30 years of age. A family history of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking, or a sedentary lifestyle can make this test especially important. Q. How is your examination different from a conventional CT scan? A. BSI’s Body Scan is a 3-Dimensional Study, scanning much more anatomy than the typical conventional scan. Our examination is performed using a high-speed CT scanner with cardiac gating, where your heart actually controls the rate of the scanning sequence. This allows for “stop action” 3-Dimensional views of your heart, lungs, stomach and other organs. We also utilize our proprietary Scribe software, which is customized specifically for our Body Scan program. Q. Do I really want to know what the test will show? A. At BSI, we have performed over 75,000 body scan examinations, and while the thought of uncovering disease within one's own body can be intimidating, almost all patients find that the results are simply a guide to better health. It is always better to find things out early before you have symptoms, as disease caught early is often modifiable, reversible and curable. Some people say that ignorance is bliss, but this is not the case. We had a patient who summed it up by saying “Some say what you don’t know won’t hurt you. I know that what you don’t know can kill you.” Your scan will also provide a baseline so that you and your physician will be able to refer back to what your body looked like at the time of your BSI examination. This anatomic baseline can prove essential to assess for future changes to your body. Q. Do you have additional information about your program? A. We would like to welcome you into our complimentary Wellness Community. Please email us at manager@healthview.com and you will be provided with our monthly newsletter and periodic information about preventive medicine. Q. What if my doctor would like more information about your program? A. We invite your physician to discuss our program with us. In fact, our population of over 75,000 patients includes over 1,000 physicians, and many of those who have come in were skeptical in advance, but once they experienced our program, and met with our physicians, they were able to see the benefit to their patients (and their loved ones.) In fact, our highest compliment is when any individual comes back with their family members, and all of them have. Please feel free to provide your physician with the contact information for Bill Penzo, our Director of Patient Services, who can be reached at manager@healthview.com Q. How do I prepare for the BSI Body Scan? A. Our examination is completely non-invasive, and conducted in a comfortable environment. We will ask you to fast (no food for 8 hours, no liquids for 6 hours) before the examination. Upon scheduling, we will send paperwork to you, which we will ask you to fill out and bring on the day of your appointment. It is best to wear a comfortable two-piece outfit. Ladies, please wear a bra without metal attachments. If you do not have one, you can simply remove your bra before the scan. Please do not apply any lotions or powder to the chest area the day of your appointment. Q. What can I expect during my visit? A. When you arrive for your appointment, you will be greeted by the receptionist and signed in. We will then perform the scan and show you an educational video to provide you with the latest scientific information regarding the body scan. After the video, there will typically be a break, during which you will be able to eat and drink (which is helpful, given that our study is a fasting procedure.) After your break, you will have a direct consultation with a BSI physician, specifically a board-certified radiologist, who will go over your examination in a comprehensive consultation. This consultation typically lasts 30-60 minutes, and the overall process takes 3-4 hours from start to finish. Q. When will I get my results? A. During your visit, you will have a comprehensive consultation with a board-certified BSI physician, who will provide you with your complete results both verbally and visually. You will leave knowing everything there is to know regarding your examination. The complete written report will then be sent to you by mail. Q. Will my insurance cover this test? A. If you are part of a group that has our program as a defined benefit, there may be coverage for you. We cannot bill your insurance unless we have a previous contractual arrangement with your group. Please check with your insurance company or employer to see if you have coverage for our services. Incidentally, the IRS approves of the body scan as a deductible medical expense (IRS Publication 502), also acceptable for expensing under a healthcare reimbursement account. Q. Why don’t we scan the brain or extremities? A. The Body Scan uses advanced CT technology, which is excellent for looking at the heart, lungs, spine, and most other organs in the torso. Typically if someone has an abnormality in the brain or extremities, it will involve the types of tissue better visualized with other technologies. We focus on the areas that we know we see well. Q. Does the radiation produce a risk? A. The scientific evaluation of actual patients having CT scans and risk correlation showed if there is any risk, it is negligible. In 2011, there were over 83 million CT scans performed in the United States, the majority of which had higher levels of radiation than our screening examination, and there has never been a documented correlation of risk in adults having properly performed CT scan. Q. Do you have gift cards? A. A. We offer BSI gift cards, which can be given to your loved ones as “The Gift of Health.” Please call the center at (877) 274-5577 to inquire further. |