Benign Calcifications and 3D Mammograms

Petitegal127

I had my annual mammo in July and my right breast showed increased amount of calcifications compared to last July. They say they are BRADS 3 which is possibly benign. I am very dense breasts. My breast doctor and the radiologist said go back in 6 months for follow up mammo. She suggested a 3D Mammogram. I have to see if my insurance will pay for this, if not I won't be getting it. First the doctor has to write a letter saying it is medically necessary and see if they approve it. Not going to do that till October, which will give them plenty of time to approve/deny it. before January. I was wondering what is your experience with 3D, I hear they see better, it may help with my density. Anyone have the insurance not pay for it? If they paid for it, how much and did you have to pay a portion? Are these more expensive than a 2D????

april485

Hi Petitegal127. I have been getting 3-D mammograms since 2013. They found my BC (microcalcs which tripled in number in 6 months from 4 to 12) so it is a similar situation to yours in that I had a BIRADS 3 and told they wanted to see me in 6 months. Then they said they wanted me to have the 3-D which I did and that was when I was diagnosed. My insurance had no problem approving it. Now I always have 3-D as you have to request NOT to at YALE where I get mine done. 3-D is standard there. As for the line in your post that says BIRADS 3 means "possibly benign" it is actually "probably benign" because 97% turn out to be just that. Benign. I was not lucky but most women are lucky. I hope that you are too!

CinderellaNC

I also have dense breasts and I had the 3D mammograms this May for the first time. I was called back for more pictures of the right breast and told there were some microcalcifications which probably were not cancer related and told that I could come back in 6 months for a recheck on them or have a needle biopsy now to check the microcalcifications out. I am a worrier so I chose to do the needle biopsy . I am very glad I did.I was diagnosed with triple negative invasive lobular carcinoma. My radiologist said he was flabbergasted. Anyway lobular carcinoma is very difficult to see on a mammogram. I am sure having the 3D one helped in at least spotting the change in microcalcifications. I also have dense breasts. I would go ahead and have the 3D mammogram right away and assume insurance will pay for it because of your dense breast tissue. I have had a lumpectomy and have started a three month course of chemo and then have decided to have a bilateral mastectomy after chemo is over. I could have a course of radiation instead and spare myself the bilateral mastectomy but the dense breast, lobular carcinoma being harder to detect and the fact that it was a triple negative and the further risk of side effects down the road from radiation have made the decision to go with the bilateral mastectomy a fairly easy if not appealing decision for me. I don't want to frighten you because the odds are in your favor that the microcalcifications are not cancer related but I think it would give you peace of mind to check it out further. I feel fairly certain insurance would pick up the cost as it has been advised you get the 3D mammograms for diagnostic reasons. Catching my cancer so very early has made a huge difference in my prognosis and the course of my treatment. I am so glad I didn't give the cancer an extra 6 months to grow in my body

muska

I was diagnozed by 3D mammogram first time I had it  - after about a dozen years of "regular" mammography. It showed a change in calcifications pattern. I have always had very dense breasts. If I knew then what I know now I would have requested more testing much sooner, so I second the recommendation to have 3D mammo done sooner. I would be surprised if insurance refused to pay for it: it is just a new generation of the same technology.

I don't want to scare you and most likely, your results will be benign but if they are not the earlier you start treatment the better.

Petitegal127

Thank you ladies for all your helpful posts. I will get my doctor to write this letter to the insurance company that 3D is needed and go from there! Fingers crossed they are all benign with next test.

Petitegal127

Well after a very detailed excellent letter was sent to the insurance from my breast doctor, it was denied. They will not pay anything for a 3D Mammogram which stinks. They say it is experimental and investigative! What the heck is wrong with the insurance companies. So I will continue to go every 6 months for my 2D digital mammograms with an ultrasound. I can't financially afford to pay for this 3D test every 6 months out of my pocket. So some testing is better than no testing.

Ladies that get this 3D does your insurance pay for it or is it out of your pocket????

muska

Mine was fully covered by insurance no questions asked.

SummerAngel

After I was diagnosed a colleague of mine went for her first mammogram and chose 3D. It was covered by our insurance company.

Petitegal127

Wow and I thought I had a good insurance company. I guess not.

I just called where I get the test done to see the cost of 2D vs a 3D and they said3D was $50 more for the screening and the diagnostic was the same price! So why on earth are they not paying at all, I could see if this 3D cost a lot more but they are practically the same price. Ughhhh, Insurance companies stink!

After some thought, I am going to have my doctor fight this for me. The next plan of action would be to file an appeal if no luck then go for a doctor to doctor review. This is what our benefits manager suggested. I am glad I am doing this months ahead of my Jan 15 appointment.