Disease Information
Q. What makes Life Line Screening’s disease risk assessment different from the others available?
Life Line Screening uses state of the art equipment, highly trained technicians, and board-certified physicians to review all test results before they are sent to you. We are experts in preventive screenings, and we have conducted 8 million screenings since 1993.
Q. What is heart disease?
Heart and blood vessel disease — also called heart disease — includes numerous problems, many of which are related to a process called atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a condition that develops when a substance called plaque builds up in the walls of the arteries. This buildup narrows the arteries, making it harder for blood to flow through. If a blood clot forms, it can stop the blood flow. This can cause a heart attack or stroke.
Q. How common is heart disease?
Heart disease is the number 1 cause of death for both men and women in the U.S.
Q. Can I reduce my risk of developing heart disease?
YES! Reducing risk of heart disease includes not smoking, eating healthy, managing high blood pressure, keeping cholesterol low, managing diabetes, and doing 30 minutes of activity (even just walking) for 30 minutes 5 days a week.
Q. Which Life Line Screening blood screenings check for heart disease risk factors?
Our High Sensitivity CRP test will check for inflammation in the body. New studies indicate that CRP is a reliable indicator for risk for unbdetected heart disease.
Understanding Health Screening Results
Q. When and how will I receive my health screening results?
We mail results to you within 21 days. However, if we find a condition that requires immediate attention, we will notify you on the day of your screening.
Q. Why does it take up to 21 days to receive my results?
Board-certified physicians review your results first, and then send them on for processing and mailing. If we find a condition that requires immediate attention, we will notify you on the day of your screening. Please note that Texas residents will not receive critical results until a doctor reviews.
Q. Who reviews the health screening results?
Licensed, board-certified physicians review all your screening results. Our team of doctors includes vascular surgeons, cardiologists, and radiologists.
Q. Will I receive the results of my health screenings or will they be given directly to my doctor?
You receive the results of your screenings. If we recommend you have further evaluation, we will include printed images of your carotid artery, AAA and atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat) screening results to share with your doctor
Q. Can the new osteoporosis screening results be converted into a T-score like the old report?
No, but the measurement you receive will be accurate and you can share them with your doctor.
Q. Why don't your results give more detailed information?
Our screenings are designed to screen for problems, not to measure the severity of a condition. If our screenings alert you of a problem, you will need to consult with your physician about having more comprehensive testing.
Q. What happens when a problem is identified?
If your results are not in the normal range, you will receive a detailed report of the findings along with instructions to see your physician for further evaluation.
Screenings
Q. What is the objective of preventive health screenings?
Preventive health screenings are an affordable and effective way to identify hidden disease risk. For many people, getting screened is the first step in early intervention to prevent potential health events later in their lives. It helps people understand their risks so that they can consult with their doctor and take the right steps towards a healthier future.
Q. Why should I have these screenings done if I have no symptoms?
Many people are at risk for diseases such as stroke and heart disease but experience no symptoms. Early detection and control can prevent major consequences down the road. For example, a transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a major warning sign for a full-blown stroke, but only about 15-20% of people who have a stroke have a warning TIA. (Source: American Heart Association)
Q. At what age should I be screened?
This is a personal decision, based on your risk factors and family history. For example, the National Stroke Association states that your risk of stroke increases with age and doubles every decade after age 55. We generally recommend vascular screening beginning at age 50; however, if you have diabetes, or a family history of stroke, heart disease, or AAA, talk to your doctor about getting screened after age 40. Screenings are not appropriate for anyone under the age of 21.
Q. How often should I have these general health screenings?
This is a personal decision based on your risk factors and previous screening results. Many of our customers incorporate yearly screenings into their preventive healthcare regimen to complement their regular physicals.
Q. How can your company afford to do these professional health screenings for such a low cost?
By working in partnership with local institutions such as places of worship, YMCAs and other community organizations that act as our host sites, we do not have to maintain a brick-and-mortar building in every community we serve, which cuts down on our cost.
Q. How long has Life Line Screening offered these services?
Life Line Screening has been in operation since 1993 and provides services throughout the contiguous United States. Since inception, we have screened over 8 million people.
Q. Is Life Line Screening a for-profit or not-for-profit organization?
We are for-profit, just like your doctor or dentist. Our goal is to make preventive health care affordable and available to people everywhere.
Q. Are you affiliated with any hospital?
We are a non-referral vascular screening service. We partner with 72 local hospitals across the country, but your medical information is kept private. All information and preventive health screening results are sent directly back to you to share with your own physician.
Q. I work during the day. Can I schedule a screening later in the day?
We try to accommodate people’s work schedules with check-in times that are early in the day or during lunch. We also often offer later weekday screenings as well as some screenings on Saturdays.
Q. I have a doctor. Why do I need Life Line Screening?
The purpose of preventive screening is to identify risk for chronic disease so it can be addressed before it progresses any further. Your doctor will manage any steps that need to be taken after you receive the results from your preventive screening.
Q. Can my physician do this type of preventive health screening as part of my routine physical?
Probably not. If you are asymptomatic, meaning you are not yet sick and feel well, but have risk factors such as age, family history of disease or certain health conditions, it’s likely your insurance won’t authorize the test, or pay for it. Once you have our screenings, your doctor can use the results to determine next steps, including ordering insurance-covered diagnostic testing and treatment if necessary.
Q. Does Medicare or insurance cover professional health screenings?
Insurance coverage varies from policy to policy. We will provide you with a detailed receipt that can be submitted to your insurance company to determine coverage. You should also make a copy of your results to send along with the receipt.
What to Expect
Q. Where does Life Line Screening conduct screenings?
We have more than 60 ultrasound teams that conduct screenings in communities across all 48 contiguous US states. We use rooms in facilities such as places of worship, senior centers, civic buildings, community centers and corporations.
Click here to find a location near you.
Q. Can I eat or drink anything before these screenings?
It depends on which screenings you are having. Once you register for a screening, you will receive specific preparation instructions and the information will be included in your confirmation letter/email. It is important for you to follow those directions in order to get the most accurate results.
Q. How long do the screenings take?
A typical screening appointment takes about 90 minutes, including several minutes of paperwork before the actual screening process. The exact time depends on the number of screenings scheduled during your appointment, the level of disease, your vascular anatomy and your body type. Accuracy and quality output are essential to us, so we make every effort to balance that with respect for your schedule.
Q. What type of equipment is used?
We use the same state-of-the-art technologies that are standard in hospitals across the country for all our screenings. We are continually evaluating new equipment to ensure that our equipment is the most advanced.
Q. What kind of training have your ultrasound technologists received?
Our highly skilled, experienced sonographers and medical technologists have all completed formal medical and ultrasound programs, clinical rotations and specialized training. We employ over 700 highly trained healthcare professionals, more than any other screening company in the United States.
Q. Why are your screenings shorter than those performed in hospitals?
Our aim is to identify the presence of an unrecognized health problem and to encourage those with significant disease to follow up with their personal physician for a more detailed evaluation. We do this by offering simple, accurate, affordable screenings that detect whether or not the more costly comprehensive exam is necessary.
Q. I am concerned about privacy. How private is the screening area?
We take your privacy seriously, which is why we always use privacy screens to separate the screening area from the waiting area. You need not remove any clothing for our screenings other than your shoes and socks.
Q. What screenings can I get if I use a wheelchair?
If you are able to stand and support your weight, we can administer all our available screenings. We can assist you with turning around and sitting on the table and then assist you to help you lie down on the exam table. You are welcome to bring an assistant to help you.
Q. How accurate are your health screenings?
By adhering to strict protocols, hiring highly qualified staff and using state-of-the-art equipment, we are dedicated to providing you with the most accurate results. In fact, in clinical studies Life Line Screening results were shown to be comparable to those you would receive in accredited vascular labs.
Q. Are the screenings given by Life Line Screening 100% accurate?
Life Line Screening is aware of the concerns surrounding the quality of preventive public health screenings, and has taken every measure to ensure our screenings are of the highest quality. No test is 100% accurate, but our results are comparable to those you would receive in an accredited hospital vascular lab. Life Line Screening uses state-of-the-art ultrasound technology and highly skilled sonographers to perform our screenings. As part of our strict quality control, all results are then reviewed by board-certified physicians to ensure accuracy. Written reports are mailed to participants within 21 days, and we encourage all participants to share the reports with their physicians. We are also engaged in ongoing research with first-tier medical institutions to help advance the understanding of the causes of vascular disease and to further our public health initiatives.
Q. How can you assure the consistency and reliability of your machines?
All machines perform a self-diagnostic check and continually re-calibrate throughout the day. They also undergo regular maintenance check-ups, as required by the manufacturer.
Reimbursement
Q. How do I Submit my screening for insurance reimbursement?
Government insurance coverage (Medicare and Medicaid) do not cover the cost of some screenings, such as the vascular screening provided by Life Line Screening. Most private insurance companies do not cover the cost of these screenings either, although with an increased focus on wellness and disease prevention, that may change in the future.
Q. Why was Medicare billed on my behalf?
If Medicare was billed, then you had a Medicare service offered by our sister company, Life Line Community Healthcare, called an Annual Wellness Visit. You may remember sitting down with a Nurse Practitioner, who discussed prevention of disease with you and gave you a Personal Prevention Plan, which included a list of preventive screenings you should have in the future.
Q. Didn't I already pay for my screenings?
If you received an ultrasound screening, an EKG screening, or laboratory (blood) work, the payment you made was for those services, which are conducted by Life Line Screening. The Annual Wellness Visit is a distinct and separate service that is conducted by Life Line Community Healthcare, and is covered by traditional Medicare (part B) and some Medicare Advantage Plans.
Q. What is an Annual Wellness Visit?
An AWV is a healthcare benefit from Medicare that provides you with a personalized plan for better health. It evaluates current health status, identifies chronic disease risk factors and ensures that you are not missing recommended Medicare preventive services. It’s a new approach from Medicare-doing more to help people stay healthy and independent for all who have earned the benefit. If you have additional questions, please call Life Line Community Healthcare toll-free at
1-800-449-2389.
Q. What is the time frame for receiving the results of my colon cancer screening kit?
Approximately 30 days.
Q. Will there be doctors at the screening site?
No physicians are on site. Just as in hospitals, the ultrasound is conducted by a qualified technologist and shared with the doctor afterward for review.
Q. Are there weight limits for the screenings?
Yes, our equipment is usable for people up to 500lbs. However, it is important that the individual can move on his or her own, or with the help of a family member or friend and can lift themselves onto the beds. Our staff cannot be responsible for lifting customers.
Q. Why was the Afib screening result I received from Life Line Screening different from the test I had at my doctor/cardiologist?
The Life Line Screening Afib test is a limited EKG for a specific moment in time. EKGs through your doctor may check for additional rhythm problems or test for a longer period of time. If intermittent Afib is suspected, the doctor may ask you to wear a Holter Monitor so the rhythm can be measured over several days. Source: American Heart Association
