MRI research articles?

cleomoon · October 2009

Hello fellow LCISers,

For some reason my insurance denied coverage for my most recent MRI. Is anyone aware of any research articles which show that MRI's are better at picking up lobular cancers?

Thanks,

Cleo

Anonymous · October 2009

Cleo--I'd also be interested in finding some articles in support of MRI imaging for LCIS. I've never gotten a bill for any of my breast MRIs (4 over the last 3 years), but recently my insurance company sent me a letter saying part of the MRI will no longer be paid for in the furture as it is "considered experimental/investigational and not medically necessary". (I think the new facility coded it differently than the last facility I went to--I have to check it out with the billing dept.) I may also have to get a letter from my oncologist supporting the need for MRI studies as I have family history of ILC and also have LCIS.

Anne

cleomoon · October 2009

Hi Anne,

I meet with my breast surgeon for my followup tomorrow and will be talking with the billing folks at radiology. I too wondered if it was coded differently. Good luck with the onc letter. I know my BS will do everything she can to push approval through.

cp418 · October 2009

See this link about insurance denying MRI coverage. This is a game the insurance companies play to frustrate and deny coverage. Be persistant and don't back down - - have your doctor send letter, etc. They want breast cancer patients to to give up and not persist in getting coverage for various scans - - do not let them get away with this tactic!

http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/47/topic/727995

leaf · October 2009

This abstract opines they all have their advantages and disadvantages. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19168843

This abstract found 83% sensitivity for MRI, vs lower number for mammo and ultrasound. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19155397

This 2007 ACS (american cancer society paper) reccommends MRI SCREENING for BRCA women (if you are one.) It says MRI SCREENING for LCIS patients is controversial. http://caonline.amcancersoc.org/cgi/content/full/57/2/75

For LCIS women, this paper said that MRI facilitated diagnosis only in LCIS (vs AH). All 6 cancers detected by MRI were NOT detected by mammography. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17206485 It says that MRI may be of benefit only for a small class of LCIS women.

I have LCIS and a weak family history, and have yet to have a breast MRI (for screening). My 2nd opinion at an NCI certified breast center said I have 'too much scar tissue' for an MRI, even a baseline one.

cp418 - BTW, I couldn't get your link to work. Maybe its just me - we've been having some stormy weather.

cleomoon · October 2009

Thank you leaf and cp418

cleomoon · October 2009

Thank you cp418 and leaf

cp418 · October 2009

http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/47/topic/727995?page=3#idx_86

See HIgh Risk Forum - several posts down from the top =- lots of feedback.

leaf · October 2009

Still couldn't get your link to work. What is the title of the thread, please?

cp418 · October 2009

Hmmm - don't know why link doesn't work. It was just bumped up in the High Risk Forum - 'Insurance will not cover my MRI'. Sorry about the link not working.

leaf · October 2009

Thanks, cp.

MRI research articles?

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