In today’s post, find out how your coronary calcium score can help your doctor to determine the health of your heart.
Medical imaging procedures and radiation concerns: are you safe?
For a number of years, the media did extensive coverage from time to time on radiation exposure from medical imaging procedures. When our patients come in, that was often a topic that we get asked about. Patients want to know how much radiation they’ll be exposed to during their procedure, and how that might affect them in regards to their … Read More
Health care convenience or price can be convenience AND price
Which would you rather have in your health care: convenience or low cost? Oftentimes, when choosing one, the other is sacrificed. Hospital radiology departments can generate a lot of traffic for the perceived convenience of location and as a one-stop shop for medical care. However, there is no shortage of articles that will tell you that diagnostic imaging is more … Read More
Learn more about MRCP
Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) is a special type of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exam that produces detailed images of the hepatobiliary and pancreatic systems, including the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, pancreas and pancreatic duct. Physicians use MRCP to: examine diseases of the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, pancreas and pancreatic duct, including tumors, stones, inflammation or infection evaluate patients with pancreatitis … Read More
What happens when an engaged consumer tries to help control costs?
In an article, “What happens when an engaged consumer tries to help control costs?“, the author suggests the following results: As costs keep rising, and more and more people decide “I’m not going to take it anymore,” more of us will start asking “What are my options?” As word gets out that prices vary this much, it’s going to get … Read More
What are the differences in MRI exams of the spine?
For non-medical people wondering about specific Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) exams of the spine, it’s pretty simple: When examining the spine in the neck, that is an MRI of the cervical spine For a closer look at the spine in the upper back area, that is an MRI of the thoracic spine To acquire images of the lower spine and back, that is … Read More
Why do we sometimes ask if you are diabetic or have kidney disease?
Some imaging exams, like CT or MRI scans, may require that you be given an injection of contrast medium into a vein. It is typically administered in your arm like when you have blood drawn, and it looks like IV fluid. Imaging is then taken of the area of concern. The contrast medium makes the vascular structures in your body … Read More
What is the value of a DaTscan?
Parkinson’s disease, a degenerative neurological disease affecting balance, movement and agility, affects approximately 1 percent of the population over 60 years of age. Although recent years have brought increased awareness of this disorder, the lack of a test to detect this condition can lead to misdiagnosis of Parkinson’s disease and related syndromes. In many cases, especially early in the course … Read More
The clear-cut choice for women and physicians when it comes to mammograms
Capitol Imaging Services has served tens of thousands of women with our women’s health examinations in screening mammography, diagnostic mammography, ultrasound, bone density studies, breast MRI and breast biopsy. We implemented 3D mammography several years ago to provide a mammogram technique that is considered superior to conventional 2D mammography in thoroughly evaluating breast tissue to identify any areas of concern. … Read More
Independent imaging: what’s in it for me?
Many people do not realize that there is a choice when you are told by your medical provider that you need an imaging exam, from an ultrasound to a PET/CT study. There are really three main choices: The hospital imaging center An imaging center owned by the hospital An independent imaging center First, let’s clarify. What does it mean by independent? … Read More
Is MRI helpful in identifying causes of pain?
Imagine the following scenario: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) provides enough detail that the radiologist and orthopedic doctor diagnosed a 50% tear in a tendon of the right ankle. Without the results from the MRI, the college freshman gymnast would have hurt herself even more. After finishing a dose of steroids to reduce swelling and using an extra-strength pain relieving cream, … Read More
Why take advantage of 3D mammography technology?
This spring marks approximately nine years since our Capitol Imaging Services affiliate, Diagnostic Imaging Services (DIS), began performing 3D screening and diagnostic mammograms. We began with our Metairie – Veterans Memorial Boulevard Women’s Center and expanded to our Covington – Highway 21, Marrero and Slidell, LA locations. But, why should women take advantage of this technology? Some reasons are provided … Read More
Ankle joint effusion
An ankle joint effusion, or swollen ankle, is typically the result of excess fluids gathering in the soft tissues surrounding the ankle joint.
Stereotactic breast biopsy services added at Diagnostic Imaging Services
Our Capitol Imaging Services affiliate, Diagnostic Imaging Services (DIS) has added to their women’s health services portfolio by introducing stereotactic breast biopsy imaging studies to our suite of exams performed at their Women’s & Advanced Imaging Center in Metairie, LA. In order to provide these services, DIS invested in the Hologic Selenia Dimensions System 9000, which in addition to perform … Read More
Possible ruptured breast implant?
Breast implants are one of the more commonly performed plastic surgery procedures in the United States. Nearly 200,000 women received breast implants in 2020. Although it has been clearly demonstrated that ruptured implants do not cause harm, women should consider potential complications when making the personal decision to have breast implants. A ruptured breast implant is one such risk. A … Read More
Breast biopsy: what to know
If you find a lump or a change in your breast is seen on a mammogram, a biopsy may be needed to know what’s causing it. A biopsy is when a piece of tissue is taken out and tested in the lab. A biopsy is the only way to know if a suspicious breast change is cancer. The American Cancer Society … Read More
Wait three weeks for an MRI? Just say no!
Capitol Imaging Services was contacted via our online appointment request form in order to schedule an MRI. The reason? In their own words, “I need to have my MRI done next week, and the last time I had to wait three weeks, mainly because the doctor sent to an MRI center where he had business interests. Please help me get … Read More
MRI Scan
MRI ScanAn MRI scan is a noninvasive, safe way for healthcare professionals to examine a patient’s organs, tissues, and skeletal system. MRI, or Magnetic Resonance Imaging, is diagnostic technology that uses a powerful magnetic field and computer-generated radio waves to create detailed, 3D images of the organs and tissues of the body that can be viewed from many different angles. … Read More
Arm yourself and know your CPT code
Arm yourself with an important piece of information for a medical service — the CPT code. CPT stands for Current Procedural Terminology, which is used universally across all medical and health providers. With this code, you can contact multiple providers in order to better compare costs BEFORE you have any service done. Take control. It’s your money. It’s your health … Read More
What did people think of their recent Capitol Imaging Services patient experience?
We’d like to share a few responses from people who visited a Capitol Imaging Services location recently and wanted to tell us what they thought of their time spent there: “I wish you did blood work here. Easy in and out.” “Keep Kim – she was fantastic – and profession as well as personable.” “I had to ask if they … Read More
Doctors shun patients who pay with Medicaid
Most doctors in private practice lose money on Medicaid patients, because the program pays less than commercial health plans or Medicare, the federal insurance program for Americans over 65. Many physicians already don’t accept Medicaid, and millions of new enrollees clamoring for appointments will strain those who do. About 46 percent of physicians accept Medicaid, according to a 15-city survey last … Read More
Patients often win if they appeal a denied health claim
Federal rules ensure that none of the millions of people who signed up for Obamacare can be denied insurance — but there is no guarantee that all health services will be covered. To help make sure a patient’s claims aren’t improperly denied, the Affordable Care Act creates national standards allowing appeals to the insurer and, if necessary, to a third-party reviewer. … Read More
Health law sign-ups on track to hit 7 million
WASHINGTON (AP) — Beating expectations, President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul was on track to sign up more than 7 million Americans for health insurance on deadline day Monday, government officials told The Associated Press. The 7 million target, thought to be out of reach by most experts, was in sight on a day that saw surging consumer interest as … Read More
An explanation of 3D mammography in brochure form
Capitol Imaging Services provides a link to a brochure that does an excellent job of explaining the benefits of 3D mammography. The brochure is six pages in length, formatted to a size of 5-1/2″ x 8-1/2″. Click here to access the brochure. You need to have Adobe PDF Reader on your computer in order to view. Capitol Imaging Services offers … Read More
Obamacare website fails as deadline arrives
People trying to apply and enroll for private health insurance through Obamacare before Monday’s midnight deadline discovered the website was “currently unavailable.” Healthcare.gov, the online marketplace bedeviled by bugs since its launch last fall, went down for several hours Monday morning, a statement from the Department of Health and Human Services said. It was back online later in the morning … Read More
PSA testing, early treatment decreases risk of prostate cancer death
Mortality in prostate cancer is lower in areas with frequent use of PSA testing compared with areas with little testing shows a new study. Results from the study show that prostate cancer mortality was 20 percent lower in counties with the highest incidence of prostate cancer, which indicates an early and rapid uptake of PSA testing. Capitol Imaging Services offers … Read More
Better late than never: a ‘simple’ explanation of the health care reform law
2014 is here – are you ready for Obamacare? Join the YouToons as they walk through the basic changes in the way Americans will get health coverage and what it will cost starting in 2014, when major parts of the Affordable Care Act, also known as “Obamacare,” go into effect. Written and produced by the Kaiser Family Foundation. Narrated by … Read More
Reasons given for why prostate cancer patients need to learn about their disease
Capitol Imaging Services shares a video link that stresses the importance of prostate cancer patients educating themselves. Prostate cancer patients should learn everything they can about their disease. Every patient’s cancer is different. Your treatment will be personalized so it is important to be informed when making decisions. Cancer survivor Joel Nowak believes men diagnosed with prostate cancer should always … Read More
New technology alternatives to prostate biopsy
Prostate biopsy does answer the question as to whether or not cancer is present. However, the question has arisen as to if there is an alternative. Until recently, there was not. New studies, including multi-parametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), can find prostate cancer with very high accuracy. Ultra high field MRI, known as 3T, delivers twice the field strength of … Read More
Drug company says it will stop paying doctors to promote drugs
From the New York Times, published December 17, 2013: December 16, 2013 — The British drug maker GlaxoSmithKline will no longer pay doctors to promote its products and will stop tying compensation of sales representatives to the number of prescriptions doctors write, its chief executive said Monday, effectively ending two common industry practices that critics have long assailed as troublesome … Read More
An “uncovered” hidden Obamacare cost
November 30 has come and gone, meaning HealthCare.gov, the $630 million portal created by the Affordable Care Act that links all 36 federal online insurance marketplaces, should be running smoothly for the majority of users. However, that does not mean the marketplaces are easy to use, especially for individuals trying to compare how different policies cover drug costs. Costs can differ … Read More
Better MRI comfort in place at Capitol Imaging Services in Mississippi
In the continuing mission for Capitol Imaging Services to implement the latest imaging technologies while identifying ways to make diagnostic testing more comfortable and calm for people, we are pleased to announce the latest addition in MRI to those ends: the Toshiba Vantage Titan 1.5T High Field MRI. Installed at the Imaging Center of Columbus, The Vantage Titan system offers … Read More
Companies prepare to pass more health costs to workers
Companies are bracing for an influx of participants in their insurance plans due to the health-care overhaul, adding to pressure to shift more of the cost of coverage to employees. Many employers are betting that the Affordable Care Act’s requirement that all Americans have health insurance starting in 2014 will bring more people into their plans who have previously opted … Read More
Who gets a subsidy under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act?
The new availability of tax credits for qualified low-income people purchasing individual coverage through exchanges could be a game changer. Qualified individuals with family incomes between 100% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) will be eligible for sliding-scale premium tax credits that will cap the amount they may pay for coverage. Individuals with family incomes at or below … Read More
Caught between the hospital-insurance crossfire
When you’re in recovery from a hospital visit — whether it’s a major surgery, a visit to the emergency room or just a routine procedure — the last thing you want to worry about is paying your medical bills. Although the doctors may have stitched you up, sometimes they don’t quite stick to procedure when it comes to filing your … Read More
Sharing a journalist’s experience with the federal government health care website
A reporter documents their experience with researching health insurance options. The success achieved in getting the information was not through the website, but by utilizing a toll free number in order to speak to a representative. For those who are having difficulties with the online application process, the telephone may be your next best option. While the digital age has … Read More
What is global billing?
There are many confusing terms surrounding healthcare, healthcare services and health insurance coverage. Numerous different options can often put someone’s head in a spin as they try to grasp with bills and statements from medical provider offices, hospitals and medical centers. One term that Capitol Imaging Services often uses and can be considered to be a major financial benefit to … Read More
Even medical professionals may not understand healthcare pricing
Capitol Imaging Services shares a short story about the misunderstanding that even doctors have about healthcare pricing and costs for patients. On this particular occasion, two physicians told our staff that a local hospital was less expensive than a Capitol Imaging Services affiliate for a particular procedure, a procedure often not covered by insurance. When fully explained by our associates, … Read More
Pelvic and obstetrical ultrasounds: why do we make you have a full bladder?
We are sure that most women out there have had the pleasure of experiencing an extremely full bladder during a pelvic or obstetrical ultrasound examination! The usual question that we get regarding this is “why do you need to torture us with an overly full bladder while you press on our pelvis making it worse?” Well, there are two very … Read More
Why a physician refers all her patients to Capitol Imaging Services
Why does a physician in Florida refer all of her patients to Capitol Imaging Services? Because, in her opinion, it is due to the excellent patient care and attention from our associates to people she sends to one of our network affiliates for their imaging exam. How excellent and personal? Florida-based Homosassa Open MRI had a person arrive in front … Read More
Thyroid disease awareness: give yourself a “neck check”
January is National Thyroid Awareness Month. Thyroid disease affects as many as 30 million Americans, according to the American College of Endocrinology. What is the thyroid? The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located in front of the neck, below the Adam’s apple. The thyroid gland produces hormones that control how the body functions – including heart rate, cholesterol level, body … Read More
Have a High Deductible Health Insurance plan?
According to the website, www.valuepenguin.com, “high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) were created for consumers to have a health insurance option with lower premiums and high deductibles. These plans can be linked to health savings accounts (HSAs) to pay for qualified medical expenses in a tax-advantaged way.” As we have made our way through the first two decades of the 21st century, … Read More
Diagnostic Imaging Services will go red for women
National Wear Red Day was on Friday, February 5, 2021. Every year, the first Friday of February has been dedicated to National Wear Red Day as an awareness day for American women to understand their number one health threat – heart disease. Affiliate partners of Capitol Imaging Services participated in observing National Wear Red Day. If you visited our clinics, … Read More
What do people visiting Capitol Imaging Servicces for the first time think of their experience?
Here are comments from people who came to Capitol Imaging Services for the very first time, describing their overall experience: “Everything was great. I will definitely return, if I have to have any further testing. I have had plenty of CT scans and this was the best yet. Thank you.” “I was very nervous about getting an MRI done because … Read More
What is the difference between an MRI and a CT scan?
Here is a brief excerpt from an answer to the question posed above, provided by Paul Christo, M.D., Director, Pain Treatment Center, Johns Hopkins Hospital and Health System. An MRI, or magnetic resonance image, is a useful tool in evaluating the spine. An MRI is non-invasive, does not use radiation, and provides good visualization of the spinal ligaments, a herniated … Read More
Why the link between childhood cancer and CT scans may be overblown
Another study is adding to the growing body of evidence that CT scans in childhood can be linked to cancer later on. The new study, published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics, looked at seven U.S. health care systems and the use of CT scans on the head, abdomen, pelvis, chest and spine in kids under age 15. CT scans are considered one of … Read More
What do people think of their recent patient experiences?
For those who chose to come to a Capitol Imaging Services affiliate recently for their exam, here’s what some said about their experience: “I don’t know her name, but the woman who performed my mammogram this time, as well as last time, was perfect. She was so sweet and kind and understanding. And the doctor that came in to tell … Read More
One hospital charges $8,000 — another, $38,000
Effective January 1, 2021, a federal rule says hospitals have to list the costs of at least some of their services in accessible, consumer-friendly language. The hope has been that equipped with this information, potential patients can shop around and make a better-informed decision before setting foot in a hospital. It may not always be easy to find these costs, … Read More
Millions can’t afford to go to the doctor
Nearly one-third of Americans skipped needed medical care in the past three months due to cost. Even about 20% of the nation’s highest-income households, those earning more than $120,000 per year, blame cost as the reason for not seeking care, up from 3% over the same timeframe. An estimated 150 million Americans say they are now more worried about the … Read More