screening mammography & diagnostic mammo w/ in one year.

[sacoop]

My PMD noted a mass in my Lt breast yesterday (11/4/09) and ordered a diagnostic mammogram for my Lt breast to identify if true mass. I called to make an appt. and was told that the radiologist will not do a diag mammo if its been less that a year since my last mammo. 12/31/08 was my last screening mammo. I was told they would do an ultrasound first then if necessary would schedule a diagnostic mammo. Is this the usual and/or recommended procedure? Am I wasting time if there is a problem?

Thank You,
Sacoop

[sacoop]

Thank you for your quick responses. Insurance is not an issue as i had already okayed it with them.  I will contact my PMD.

sacoop

[bluebutterfly2222]

Insurance will often only pay for a screening mammograms if they are a year apart, but a diagnostic one is usually a different matter.

I'd ask the doctor ordering the diag. mammo to sched. it for you (rather than leaving you to make the appt.) if that's what s/he specifically wants done, and see if s/he gets the same reply.

The ultrasound could be helpful, however, and based on the results from it, I'm sure the radiologist would proceed with the mammo if indicated.

[iam1butterfly]

When I've had to have diagnostic mammograms, my doctor's office did the scheduling for me. The imaging facility that I always use said that they wouldn't set up a "diagnostic" mammogram order through the patient... only routine annual mammograms could be done that way. And, that the order for the diagnostic test had to come directly from the medical provider that was requesting the exam.
I think that you should contact your doctor's office and have them arrange the appointment for the appropriate procedure for you.
Take care.