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Commonly Asked Questions Why are proactive efforts/prevention opportunities important? In the U.S., breast cancer is diagnosed every 2 minutes, and one woman dies from the disease every 13 minutes. While early detection saves lives, prevention keeps the disease from interfering with the living of life. Can a thermogram replace a mammogram? Can a mammogram replace a thermogram? No, and No. A mammogram is an anatomical test that focuses on detecting masses. A thermogram is a physiological test that focuses on the risk of developing cancer. Each sees different breast characteristics and is complementary to the other. Are there false negatives and false positives in breast thermal imaging? Yes. Practitioners report 6%-10% false negatives and 10% false positives, emphasizing the importance of serial imaging to distinguish personal variants from true signs of risk. Is thermal imaging covered by medical insurance? Flexible spending accounts and/or Health Savings Accounts cover 100% of service costs. However, because CPT code 99429 and our service is considered "elective" and an educational and preventive service, most insurance plans will not cover. (Less than 10% of our clients receive insurance reimbursement, and then, only with insurance plans that include "out-of-network" and non-standard-of-care benefits. If you file a claim for reimbursement, your insurer will require a copy of all paperwork (intake forms and thermal imaging reports) accompanying this service transaction along with a claim form after services are rendered.) Please be sure to view/print the "Insurance Coverage" file on the "Appointments & Documentation" page for suggested questions to ask your insurer. What other conditions are commonly visible by thermal imaging? Decades of research indicates that many conditions, particularly those involving soft-tissue damage or pain, and blood flow alteration, may be observable with thermal imaging. However, there are no guarantees that a condition will be observable by thermal imaging. Additionally, the absence of thermal findings cannot rule out significant health conditions.
Thermal imaging is being used to study some: cardiovascular disorders, endocrine/metabolic disorders, neurological disorders, musculoskeletal disorders, and dermatological disorders, i.e. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Headaches, Diabetes, Myofascial Irritation, Neck & Back Problems, Neoplasia, Neuropathy, Soft Tissue Injury, TMJ Conditions, Various Pain Disorders… and more.
Some people with persistent symptoms/pain that have gone undiagnosed may benefit from thermal imaging, as it may be able to help identify the source/cause. Who is qualified to provide thermal imaging services? To verify that a U.S. thermal imaging provider is adhering to standardized guidelines, their technicians and interpretive doctors should be certified by at least one of the following thermographic organizations:
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