Health screening businesses are thriving despite the current economy. Star-Telegram’s Jan Jarvis’ July 4, 2009 article titled Health-screening businesses are attracting more consumers states the following:
…a growing number of adults who are bypassing their doctor’s office and paying hundreds of dollars out of pocket for health screenings. Despite an ailing economy, the mobile-screening business is healthier than ever as the population ages, people lose their jobs and the worried will look for ways to prevent silent killers such as strokes.
When baby boomers see their friends suddenly drop dead from heart attacks, it hits home. The unexpected deaths of celebrities their own age — including newsman Tim Russert and actor John Ritter — increase their anxiety.
“Since these were people thought to be healthy, it has caused increased concern,” said Dr. John Willard, medical director of cardiovascular services at Texas Health Fort Worth hospital. “People are realizing that proactive healthcare is much better than reactive.”
The screenings performed by health-screening companies are often not covered by insurance even though they may be in the patient’s best interest. Jan Jarvis provides the following example in her article:
Medicare covers testing for aortic aneurysm once in a lifetime. The Society for Vascular Surgery recommends the ultrasound tests to screen for artery disease in adults 55 and older, but the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends the test only for men 55 to 75 who have smoked sometime in their life. Most insurance companies do not cover the tests.
There is clearly a need for health screening companies. Hospitals are now starting to offer tests at prices that are competitive with mobile-screening businesses.
These screenings can be potentially life saving, especially for a person at increased risk due to complications like high blood pressure or diabetes.
Screenings by health screening businesses may reveal issues that require lifestyle changes or appointments with a doctor. According to Jarvis’ research:
- Approximately 15-18% of tests performed through the Texas Health Fort Worth hospital’s program reveal something significant enough to require follow-up
- In 8% of people screened through Life Line, there’s a problem that should be evaluated by a doctor
- 8-10% of screenings at Health Yes show something of concern
There are some real success stories with health screenings.
Several years ago, Saundra Niblick’s husband, Orville, learned from a screening that he had osteoporosis and was at high risk for a bone fracture.
“The doctor said he would have never tested him for it because he didn’t fit the profile,” said Niblick, whose husband has since started taking Fosamax.
Niblick, who routinely gets screened through mobile services, said it’s well worth it.
Screenings from health screening companies are valuable for both the uninsured and people that want to take a proactive approach to their health and health care.
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