Frequently Asked Questions
Will insurance or Medicare cover these exams?
Typically, no. Insurance and Medicare usually won’t cover these preventive screenings unless you’re already showing symptoms. Meaning, they won’t pay until the condition has progressed.
However, if we detect a problem, your doctor will have the evidence needed to secure insurance or Medicare coverage for follow-up tests and treatments!
How often should I be screened?
The frequency depends on your family history of cardiovascular disease or cancer. Our screenings are affordable and informative enough to be done annually.
While vascular disease progresses slowly in the mild or non-advanced stages, cysts or tumors that may be cancerous can appear at any time, especially in areas like the thyroid, gall bladder, liver, or kidneys. If moderate vascular disease is found, you may consider getting scans every 6 months.
Even if no issues are found, we recommend sharing the results with your doctor to establish a baseline for future reference.
What are the risk factors for stroke, abdominal aortic aneurysm, and diseases of the organs?
Several factors can increase your risk for stroke, abdominal aortic aneurysm, and diseases of the organs. These include:
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Age (especially 55+)
- Family history of stroke, heart attack, aortic aneurysms, or cancer
- Diabetes
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Smoking
- Heavy alcohol use
- Obesity
How long does the screening process take?
Usually 20-30 minutes for all exams. Set aside 60-90 minutes for delays which are out of our control.
When do I get the results?
Usually 3-4 weeks, but could be more or less time depending on capacity and demand.
Life-threatening results will be expedited for quicker response.
What are the screening preparations?
Our team will provide you with instructions prior to your appointment. Here is a general guide to help you prepare:
- Wear a comfortable two-piece outfit. Avoid dresses.
- Do not chew gum before your exams.
- Fast for 8 hours if you’re having a cholesterol test.
- Avoid large meals or caffeine for at least 4 hours before your screening.
- If you’re diabetic, have a light snack.
- Continue taking any prescribed medications as usual.
Is Stroke Scan Plus affiliated with any hospital?
No, we are a private company with highly skilled and well-qualified technicians, and we have Board-Certified Radiologists in every state review all of our images. The patients are then referred to their PCP.
What qualifications do your techs have?
Our skilled and qualified ultrasound techs are graduates from accredited ultrasound schools and have extensive experience in the field.
How does the equipment compare to that of a hospital?
Our state-of-the-art equipment is the same as those hospitals use, but designed for mobile applications.
How do these scans compare to diagnostic scans in a hospital?
It is essentially the same test, except that we do not provide a diagnosis. If something is found, we can send our results to your PCP for further testing and diagnosis.