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Who is reading my mammogram? Do you have a fellowship trained, dedicated breast imager on staff? |
The experience, training and skill of the physician interpreting the mammogram is as important, if not more important, than the technology used. Most missed cancers on mammography are the result of a failure on the part of the radiologist to either identify or correctly interpret the cancerous abnormality. Studies have shown that an experienced breast imager, who reads more than 5,000 films a year, will perform better at cancer detection than a general radiologist who reads far fewer mammograms and reads a variety of radiologic studies. In the screening setting, the biggest problem is the one that goes unnoticed. The adage that practice makes perfect applies to many things in life, including breast imagers. At HerSpace, women will have the peace-of-mind that comes with knowing that New Jersey’s most credentialed and experienced Breast Imager will be interpreting their mammograms and performing their breast biopsies. Dr. Beth M. Deutch has interpreted over 10,000 mammograms a year.
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Will I get my results the same day? |
Women want to know the results of their mammogram before leaving the breast imaging facility. Furthermore, women want any problem detected on the screening mammogram worked up immediately. They do not want to have to be called back for additional evaluation and suffer the anxiety of the unknown for however long it takes to be seen again. At HerSpace, women receive results of their screening mammogram directly from the physician before leaving the facility and will have an opportunity to ask any questions they may have. Any abnormality detected on the study will be fully worked up the same day.
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Will I be able to discuss my results with a doctor? |
It is one thing to receive the results of a mammogram in the mail or even from a non-physician the day of the service. It is quite another thing to have the opportunity to review and discuss the findings on the mammogram directly with the Breast Imager interpreting the study. At HerSpace, all patients will have the opportunity to meet with the radiologists after their study to discuss the study or other related health issues.
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If I have a problem, how long do I have to wait to be seen? |
One of the most stressful times for a woman is the period between knowing that there may be a problem in her breast detected on mammography or physical exam and the resolution of that problem — benign or cancerous. The most compassionate thing a physician can do is to shorten that time period by seeing a patient quickly. Unfortunately, because of poor insurance reimbursement for breast imaging services, resources are limited which often translates into long waiting times for patients. At HerSpace, we are committed to seeing patients with breast problems within 48 hours and same-day, when possible. In addition full work-ups and biopsies can be performed, when necessary, on the same day that the abnormality is detected on the screening mammogram.
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Is the facility ACR accredited or in accreditation and does it offer state-of-the-art equipment like digital mammography? |
The American College of Radiology accredits mammography facilities which meet standards of both technical and professional competency. It takes time for a new facility to work through the accreditation process. Accreditation indicates basic competency and does not necessarily guarantee that a facility invests in expensive cutting-edge technology like full-field digital mammography or offers experienced breast imagers. HerSpace opens with the latest technology available and offers digital mammography to all women who are eligible. HerSpace is accredited by the American College of Radiology and certified by the FDA for full-field digital mammography.
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What experience do the radiologists have with the minimally invasive breast needle biopsies? |
Imaging-guided needle biopsies, including stereotactic and ultrasound-guided mammotomy, are highly accurate alternatives to surgical biopsy of the breast for the diagnosis of abnormalities on the mammogram and ultrasound. The technology, which has evolved over 10 years, has saved thousands of women from surgery. As with mammographic interpretation, outcome is often dependent on the experience of the radiologist performing the procedure. Dr. Beth Deutch, founder of HerSpace: Breast Imaging Associates, has performed thousands of these procedures and pioneered the procedures while on staff at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Dr. Deutch is a nationally renowned and published breast imager. She was the first radiologist in New Jersey certified to read digital mammography and credentialed by the American College of Radiology in stereotactic and ultrasound-guided needle breast biopsy.
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What are the insurance/payment policies at HerSpace? What does fee-for-service mean? |
HerSpace participates with Medicare and will process all insurance claims directly for Medicare patients.
For all other patients with private insurance, the Practice is fee-for-service. This means that you will be asked to pay for your breast imaging study(ies) at the time of your visit. The staff will provide you with all necessary paperwork for you to submit to your insurance carrier for direct reimbursement. Dr. Deutch is considered an out-of-network provider, and your reimbursement will depend on your out-of-network benefits and any out-of-network screening mammography spending account your insurance carrier provides. To date, most patients with out-of-network benefits who have met their deductable have been reimbursed between 80 and 100 percent of our reasonable fees. Some patients with HMO’s have also received reimbursement. The best way for a patient to know what reimbursement to expect is to contact her insurance carrier directly.
Feel free to call us at 732-571-9100 with any questions you may have.
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Will I have to wear a flimsy hospital gown and wait for my results in a crowded room, listening to other women’s mammography horror stories? |
Not at HerSpace, which was designed with patient comfort and privacy in mind. The surroundings are serene and spacious, with features like a waterfall, soothing new-age and classical music, curved alcoved walls to give a feeling of privacy and personal space and a courtyard setting with views of beautiful tree tops and courtyard garden. A separate video room allows patients to watch educational videos or cable television without disturbing others who don’t care to. Patients wait in ample spa-like waffle weave full length robes, again to ensure privacy and comfort.
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Will I struggle to find parking? |
There are thousands of parking spaces immediately in front of the facility, including several reserved handicapped spaces. Parking is not an issue at HerSpace.
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Do I need to retrieve my old films and records? |
If prior films from another facility exist, it is well worth your effort to bring them with you on the day of your appointment at HerSpace. Breast Imagers look for subtle changes in the tissue patterns in the breast which could signify an early developing cancer. These findings often cannot be appreciated without the benefit of film comparison.
Call the outside radiology facility where you had your prior study and request that the films be made available for you to sign out in person or for mailing directly to HerSpace. The facility will likely require a signed release form. Leave a week’s time before your mammography appointment to obtain the prior studies.
Your prior studies will then be safely stored at HerSpace, so that this film retrieval is a one-time effort on your part.
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