- What is vascular disease?
- What is a screening?
- What is a screening exam? How is it different from a diagnostic exam?
- Can the low-priced screening exams replace full diagnostic exams?
- Will insurance companies pay for screening exams?
- How much do the screening exams cost?
- How long will the screening exams take?
- Are there any preparations for the screening exams?
- What are false positives?
- What are false negatives?
- What can be done to reduce the risk of vascular disease?
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What is vascular disease?
Vascular refers to all blood vessels, including arteries and veins, and blood circulation in the body. "Vascular disease" is a term used to describe disorders of the blood vessels that can impair proper circulation.
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What is a screening?
Screening is looking for disease with no symptoms. In other words, to look and see if there is disease even if a person is feeling healthy.
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What is a screening exam? How is it different from a diagnostic exam?
Screening exams look at healthy people, with no symptoms, to see if they have hidden disease, while diagnostic exams are ordered by physicians to further identify the cause of symptoms that are present for a participant. A vascular disease screening exam is a test performed, usually without a physician referral or medical necessity, which is intended to detect vascular disease but not to fully identify and define the extent (quantify).
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Can the low-priced screening exams replace full diagnostic exams?
The vascular screening exams cannot detect all forms of arterial disease and do not replace regular contact and follow-up with your physician. If a significant finding is noted in the screening process, it is the participant’s responsibility to follow-up with a physician visit and full diagnostic test recommendations.
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Will insurance companies pay for screening exams?
Most insurance companies will not pay for vascular screening exams. The reason is that our current healthcare system requires that individuals have symptoms before diagnostic testing can be undertaken. Without signs or symptoms of vascular disease, i.e. the test is not determined medically necessary, the individual participating in screening is responsible for payment.
Futura does not file insurance claims through our screening program. Again, because you are being seen without established medical necessity, most insurance payors will not cover the cost of the screening procedure.
Note: We donate one dollar from each exam to the American Stroke Association to assist their efforts in new discoveries, better prevention and lifesaving treatments for stroke.
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How much do the screening exams cost?
Each screening, including all analysis and delivery of results to you and your physician, is $45. The screening package includes all 3 screenings (Stroke, AAA, and PAD) and is your best value at $125.
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How long will the screening exams take?
Each screening exam will take only about 10-15 minutes. A final report will be mailed to you and your primary care physician within 10 working days. If critical results are found, we will contact your primary care physician before you leave.
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Are there any preparations for the screening exams?
Do not eat or drink (except water and medication) 4 hours prior to the AAA screening exam. Eating or drinking prior to the screening can cause an increase in abdominal gas limiting the ability to see the aorta. Diabetics should eat a light meal and take medications as usual. For carotid screening exams, wear a shirt that can be loosened at the neck. There are no preparations for the PAD screening exams except removal of shoes and socks.
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What are false positives?
False positive results are those that indicate disease that may not actually exist. These incorrect results can lead to further medical tests and treatments that may be unnecessary, potentially expensive and perhaps hazardous to your health.
This type of result is also a basis for much of the criticism, and recommendations against, screening the public without apparent medical symptoms present.
False positives are more likely to be encountered when screening the wider population of participants who are not statistically at risk for a particular vascular disease. Also, inadequate screening procedures or insufficient training, for technologists or reviewing physicians, can lead to inaccurate findings.
Futura guards against false positive results in three ways:
- Pre-qualification of potential participants through our ‘Know Your Risk’ on-line calculator or through simple questions with our scheduling team.
- A continuing program of education for our technologists and reviewing physicians in the latest vascular screening practices.
- The technologists that perform the screenings are experts in the field of vascular ultrasound which ensures the highest accuracy.
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What are false negatives?
False negative results are those that indicate no potential disease when, in fact, disease may exist. Futura manages the risk of false negative results through extensive training for technologists and reviewing physicians, ensuring industry-leading screening performance.
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What can be done to reduce the risk of vascular disease?
The screening exam results and recommendations will be discussed with the participant at the end of each exam. Futura Health Screening would also like to give you the opportunity to take charge of your life by reducing your risk factors for vascular disease. There are some risk factors that you cannot control, such as family history, age, gender and race. However, most risk factors can be controlled or eliminated to prevent cardiovascular events such as stroke, heart attack or sudden death. Informative educational materials will be available to the screening participant on subjects such as how to control blood pressure, how to quit smoking, how to control your weight, and exercise programs, along with other proactive steps, empowering you to choose a lifetime of good health.
