Frequently Asked Questions
What
is Virtual Colonoscopy
Who should consider Virtual Colonoscopy, and why?
Optical Colonoscopy vs. Virtual Colonoscopy
What about insurance coverage?
Why choose The Imaging Center by Radiology and Nuclear Medicine?
If you or your doctor have any additional questions about Virtual Colonoscopy, call us at (785) 234-3451.
Virtual Colonoscopy at The Imaging Center by Radiology and Nuclear Medicine offers many advantages to patients who need to be screened for colon polyps. While the bowel-cleansing preparation for the exam is similar to that required for optical colonoscopy, CT colonography doesn't involve sedation and no medication is required in most cases. As with optical colonoscopy, the colon is gently inflated with carbon dioxide gas (which is quickly absorbed into the body to avoid a "gassy" sensation). We use an advanced CT scanner and powerful computers to generate 2 and 3 dimensional images of the entire colon and surrounding tissues. Patients simply lie on a couch and hold their breath for a few seconds while the CT scanner operates. That's all there is to it! You can immediately resume normal activities. Within a few days our Radiologist will send a written report of the findings to you and your doctor, including images and exact locations of any suspicious findings. If suspicious lesions or other problems are found, then you and your doctor will decide the appropriate course of treatment, which may include an optical colonoscopy, surgery or other options.
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Who should consider Virtual Colonoscopy, and why?
Colon cancer causes more than 60,000 deaths each year in the United States. Many of these deaths could have been prevented through screening for colon polyps, the precursors to malignancies. The American Cancer Society recommends regular colon screening for everyone over age 50. Unfortunately, less than half of the eligible population is currently screened. Virtual Colonoscopy can overcome many of the barriers to recommended screening for colon cancer.
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Optical Colonoscopy vs. Virtual Colonoscopy
Optical colonoscopy involves a bowel-cleansing laxative and restricted diet prior to the exam. The day of the exam, the patient receives intravenous sedation. The colon is then inflated with air or carbon dioxide gas, and a fiber-optic tube is inserted through the rectum into the colon. The physician then visually identifies polyps, some of which may be removed or sampled for biopsy. Some parts of the colon can't be examined due to physical limitations of the fiber-optic instrument and the colon. Optical colonoscopy typically takes 3-4 hours from arrival to departure. Due to the effects of sedatives, patients are unable to work or drive until the day after the procedure. Many people have avoided optical colonoscopy because of the discomfort and inconvenience involved, leading to many preventable cases of colorectal cancer.
Virtual Colonoscopy at The Imaging Center by Radiology and Nuclear Medicine offers many advantages to patients who need to be screened for colon polyps. No sedation is needed. We gently inflate the colon with carbon dioxide gas, which is rapidly absorbed by the body to avoid any "gassy" sensation. Our advanced CT scanner coupled with the FDA-approved Viatronix V3D workstation allows our Board Certified Radiologists to examine nearly 100% of the colon surface, as well as adjacent anatomy. Virtual Colonoscopy takes less than one hour from arrival to departure, and you can resume normal activities immediately afterward including driving and work. Following your Virtual Colonoscopy, your doctor will receive a report very similar to those typically produced in connection with optical colonoscopy, including images and precise locations of any worrisome lesions.
Sample
Virtual Colonoscopy Report
Comparison of Virtual and Optical Colonoscopy
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What about insurance coverage?
For obvious reasons, health plans are often slow to offer coverage for new technology and health screening. However, given the fact that Virtual Colonoscopy has been proven to be just as sensitive as optical colonoscopy while offering the advantages of lower cost and less risk, Virtual Colonoscopy is now recommended by the American Cancer Society and many major medical organizations. Therefore, more health plans are adding coverage for the exam every month.
Medicare will consider paying for Virtual Colonoscopy for patients with symptoms or following an unsuccessful attempt at an optical colonoscopy. Medicare does not currently cover Virtual Colonoscopy for screening purposes.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas does not cover Virtual Colonoscopy as a screening procedure. BCBS does cover the exam following an unsuccessful attempt at an optical colonoscopy.
United HealthCare covers screening Virtual Colonoscopy, and will also cover Virtual Colonoscopy in cases where there are symptoms or following an unsuccessful attempt at an optical colonoscopy.
Those with a high deductible health plan may find the lower cost of Virtual Colonoscopy to be particularly attractive, regardless of insurance coverage.
It is up to you and your doctor to decide whether Virtual Colonoscopy is right for you. As with all services at The Imaging Center by Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, we do our best to ensure that Virtual Colonoscopy is affordable for the average person. We will work with you before the exam in an effort to determine whether Virtual Colonoscopy is covered by your insurance. The Imaging Center by Radiology and Nuclear Medicine accepts payment by cash, check, Visa or MasterCard.
If you want to inquire about insurance coverage by your health plan, ask your health plan about coverage for procedure code 0066T if you are considering a screening exam, or procedure code 0067T if you are having symptoms.
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Why choose The Imaging Center by Radiology and Nuclear Medicine?
The Imaging Center by Radiology and Nuclear Medicine is the leading provider of Virtual Colonoscopy in northeast Kansas.
· First in
the region to offer Virtual Colonoscopy
· The only facility in the region to use the FDA-approved Viatronix
V3D Colon workstation
· The only CT facility in the region accredited by The American
College of Radiology
· Noted for personal, compassionate care in a convenient office
setting
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Location:
Our imaging center
is located at:
823 Mulvane Street
Suite 1
Topeka, KS 66606
(785) 234-3451
