Springboro Imaging Testimonial

“I had just spent almost $1100 on a copay and a deductible for a nuclear stress test a couple of weeks ago. Like most of us, this was NOT money that I had to spare. I had thought I had pretty good health insurance, too. Then the doctor told me that as my heart looked good, we should do a CT scan of the chest to try to get at the cause of my recent shortness of breath. He’s a very thorough doctor, and I appreciated his carefulness. I was now in calendar year 2014, however, so I’d be looking at another year’s deductible…. The stress test had been conducted on Jan. 30 of 2013. Typical, hm?

I scheduled the new procedure immediately at the hospital suggested by the doctor (I called from his parking lot!), but received a call the following Monday morning from my insurance company about it. They were calling to help me get it scheduled, but when I indicated that I had already done so they shared with me a bit of very helpful information about the costs of this procedure at various hospitals and imaging centers. The average cost of this procedure at the hospital my doctor had suggested (the same one at which the stress test had been conducted a couple of weeks ago) was almost $1000. There was another facility, however, that was close to me and at which the average cost was under $300! I had no idea that there were such differences amongst facilities! I called Springboro Imaging and scheduled the test for the same day at which I had it scheduled at the original facility. I had the test today, and was absolutely delighted with my experience. I have a doctorate in health communication, and I’m very picky about both my health care and the communication accompanying it. As a professor, I’m always conducting research and writing and editing articles on topics related to these issues. The one on which I’m currently working focuses on how to give explanations and instructions to patients. Marlene, who conducted my test today at Springboro Imaging, was a perfect example of what I’m writing about. She clearly and thoroughly explained every bit of the procedure and what I would experience to me ahead of time, and did so in a reassuring and comforting manner. She put me at ease – the procedure was over before I knew it. It had all gone exactly as she had described. The facility was every bit as a professional as the more expensive ones to which I’ve gone in the past, but the experience was much more pleasurable and convenient.

My chest looked good! Marlene gave a CD to me with all of the results on it, and had already called my doctor by the time I got to his office to give it to him. As we are all well aware of the confusing and bewildering options facing us in today’s health care world, I am delighted to know that there ARE really good and less expensive options available to me. I’m grateful to my insurance company for calling me, but I’ve learned some important things on which I will rely in the future. I’m not going to just go to the facility that my doctor recommends – I’m going to do some research before I jump to make an appointment. My doctor is great, but I don’t think that he knows the costs of the different facilities. Perhaps you can benefit from my experience as well?”

– Teresa – January 2014