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<li>No. Did you ask the reason?</li>
<li>Not on an annual basis. I have one every few years. WNP says I have abs of steel (can’t relax, hah!) and likes to have a check with the ultrasound. Probably 4 in the last 15 yrs. Insurance has always covered.</li>
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<p>zooser, No and No. Seems that this is another example of unnecessary tests so he can collect some insurance money. Ridiculous.</p>
<p>Two years ago my mom went to the hospital while visiting my sister. She went in because she felt miserable. Turns out she had a UTinfection, and she should have gone home after getting a prescription. But they kept her there for an extra 2-3 days conducting every possible test just because she has Medicare and because she’s elderly. They didn’t “discover” anything besides the UTI.</p>
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<p>None of my business, of course, why any particular woman’s doctor would do ultrasounds ever … But to be clear: Pelvic ultrasound is not routine. Not annually, not every few years. It’s medically indicated when there is a REASON. Pain, infertility, incontinence, menstrual irregularity, suspected abnormality of some sort or another, follow up on past issues, etc. I would want to know the specific reason my gynecologist felt one was necessary. Doctors, nurses, ultrasound techs: Please correct me if I’m wrong.</p>
<p>Wow, lima. I’m so sorry. I have had UTI infections way too often throughout my life and I know how absolutely miserable they are. Being forced to stay in the hospital while treating one would just be terrible. It’s sad that we’re at that point in our medical system. <em>shakes head</em></p>
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<p>My mom was hospitalized for a UTI just yesterday. The doctor told me that they wanted to be sure that the antibiotics would knock it down quickly, so being in the hospital means they can check frequently and adjust the medication immediately if indicated. He also said that her white cell count was “off the charts” and wanted to be sure that the infection doesn’t spread. He said they’d be watching for sepsis. </p>
<p>If you and I have a UTI, being sent home with some pills would probably be appropriate. But the elderly have weakened immune systems and a run-of-the-mill infection can get out of control very quickly. I was satisfied that the doctor had valid medical reasons for admitting her.</p>
<p>I’ve been to a private OB/GYN as well as the local Planned Parenthood Clinic for BCP over the past few years (I’m mid-twenties now). The only thing that was ever required was the annual pap exam. The hospital I go to for blood work has a sign stating that it is required by most insurance agencies to have a diagnosis before running most tests - since this is certainly NOT standard procedure, I would definitely find out what the doc is putting down as the reason for this. I’m surprised more patients haven’t questioned this practice - and the fact that he has an ultrasound machine conveniently located in his office is just another red flag.</p>
<p>In my personal experience, when some doctors have certain test equipment in their office they want to justify using it to increase service to patients (meaning increased revenue to them to provide the service if they can justify it). Also, some doctors have a special health care providers (ie: techs) come to their office with expensive equipment every week or every other week to run certain tests (same idea IMO). To avoid this, I have asked my family to get a RX to have necessary testing done in a hospital setting, or another place of their choosing. This helps to avoid that conflict of interest.</p>
<p>no and no. this is nothing more than a blatant attempt to jack up your bill.</p>
<p>My daughters are both on the pill due to ovarian cysts, and the youngest has not even had pap smears - will next week now that she’s 21. The doctor did send the insurance company a note stating that they are both virgins, as insurance does not pay for contraceptives…</p>
<p>They do monitor the girls’ blood pressures every six months (after the first two months on the pill as well), and the oldest had to give herself heparin shots after her recent ankle surgery to prevent blood clots - surgeon said that was due to the pill.</p>
<p>Speaking of this sort of stuff --</p>
<p>When I went for my last mammogram, I was told I was “eligible” for some sort of super-duper test because I have dense breasts – BUT, there was no guarantee my insurance would pay for it. I declined.</p>