← Return to 5 year recheck at Oncology - Next Steps

Discussion

5 year recheck at Oncology - Next Steps

Breast Cancer | Last Active: Oct 30, 2023 | Replies (13)
Comment receiving replies
@semurrey

Thanks for keeping us posted and so happy with your good news!! I'm 58 yrs, lumpectomy for ILC, radiation and on Letrozole only since Feb 2023 - I had follow up diagnostic mammo a full year after diagnosis and now oncologist said regular mammos (not diagnostic as ins could be an issue?? WTH) fine yearly - no MRI as she said not specific even though dense breasts. I'm seen at Dana Farber but geez wondering if I should get second opinion or pay out of pocket for an MRI? xoxoxo

Jump to this post

Replies to "Thanks for keeping us posted and so happy with your good news!! I'm 58 yrs, lumpectomy..."
Laurie, Volunteer Mentor | @roch | Oct 21, 2023

@semurrey
Surprised at no MRI, did you have one after initial diagnosis?

My insurance, 1st thru employer and then on Medicare / supplemental pays for my MRIs due to cancer diagnosis. They are actually picker about mamo, only one a year.

It might be worth checking with insurance company on their policy for MRIs.

Good luck
Laurie

VIEW AND REPLY
kimogi57 | @kimogi57 | Oct 29, 2023

I don't understand oncologists saying a MRI "could be an insurance issue" and you will have regular mamograms. I have heard from many on this site that Dana Farber has a well-known Dr that specializes in ILC. Search for Dr. Metzger on the search bar at the top of this page and make an appointment with him or start looking for another oncologist. I'm seeing my third Oncologist tomorrow and hope she is going to treat ILC differently than the others. Because of a few groups, I knew more about ILC than the first 2. I wonder if the reason for lax testing could be that the agreed upon charges for insurance reimbursements for MRIs and advanced mamograms is way lower than the hospital receives from insurance?. I look at my bills and have even asked how the fees could be so different. I wonder if the hospital writes off the difference. My lumpectomy had a way lower reimbursement than the amount of the actual hospital charge. I hope you get better testing. We have to really watch out for ourselves. By the way, my first oncologist argued with me that there is no such thing as a contrast enhanced mamogram. I had one and saw the report the night before I saw him. I left his office knowing I was moving on. He also said a yearly mamogram only. My insurance agent said I should try to find a Dr to write a script for a PET scan Leaving me to believe it is not thhe insurance company. Hugs and keep trying to get what you deserve

VIEW AND REPLY