Frequently Asked Questions
How should I prepare for a scan?
Call prior to your exam with us and let us know where we can obtain prior exams
- Lung Screening - No preparation required
- Cardiac Scoring Evaluation - Please avoid caffeine for two hours before your appointment time
- Heart and Lung Screening - Please avoid caffeine for two hours before your appointment time
- Coronary CT Angiograms - Please avoid caffeine for 12 hours prior to your appointment and have nothing to eat or drink four hours before your appointment. Avoid aerobic exercise the day of your appointment. You must have someone to drive you home and they will need to come into the office to fill out paperwork, do a pre-screening form with our office prior to your appointment. Bringing a book or magazine is recommended.
Are the results kept confidential?
As with all medical records, results from LifeScreen Imaging are kept absolutely confidential according to HIPPA (Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act). All screening results are forwarded to you and your physician.
Will health insurance pay for this examination?
No. At this time traditional insurance carriers do not generally cover screening tests of this sort.
What is the payment procedure for LifeScreen Imaging?
We accept Visa, and MasterCard, personal checks and cash as well as FSA funds at the time of service.
Should I be concerned about radiation exposure?
Typical radiation exposure on our screenings are 20-30% lower than conventional CT scans. A low-dose lung screen exam, for example, would be the equivalent to a two-view chest X-ray. This is also equivalent to living in Denver, Colorado for one year or taking a transcontinental or transoceanic airline flight.
What type of diseases might be discovered by these various screening tests?
The type of diseases that might be discovered includes the following:
- Lung cancer
- Emphysema
- Bronchitis
- Fluid build-up in the lungs
- Infection
- Coronary arteriosclerosis
- Aneurysm of the aorta or other arteries
- Liver cancer
- Gallstones and kidney stones
- Kidney cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Adrenal tumors
- Ovarian masses
- Uterine masses
- Bladder cancer
- Some spinal problems
Note, however, that scans cannot possibly screen for all diseases nor will it "catch" early diseases if they are too small to be seen or characterize on a CT scan.
How long do I have to wait for results?
Once your scan is complete, a radiologist will interpret the data and create a report for your doctor. Several consultations may take place with your doctor before your next appointment with your physician. The report is usually delivered to your doctor within 48 hours.