Life Line Screening: Cost vs. Doctor's Office - Is it Worth It?

Question
A company called Life Line Screening, is coming to our town. They offer 3 screening (Stroke/carotid artery; Abdominal Aortic aneurysm; peripheral artery diease) for $129, which is considerably less than the co-pay (around $750) if I have it done through my doctor's office. Of course, if the results are postive, I will have to go to my doctor and pay the co-pay anyway.

I am a healthy but over weight 58-year old woman and my overall health is excellent. Do you think this screening is worthwhile?

My doctor is out of town until mid january, so I won't have chance to talk to him about it.

Thanks,

Jo

Answer
Dear Jo,  These are screenings for the carotid artery, aortic aneurysm and peripheral (leg) artery disease and if your doctor has not felt these should be done because you are having no symptoms or are in EXCELLENT health like you say, then I would not waste the money to have them done...

I would suggest that since you can't talk to your regular doctor about this, then call and ask to speak to the Emergency Room doctor at your local hospital and ask his/her opinion... Often these are just gimics....

thank you,   karen