Lifeline Screening

C

charlotta

Member
Location
montgomery alabama
I just gotten a brochure urging me to get an Lifeline Screening for $139. has anyone ever gotten one? Every time I go for a ck up the doctor says
all sounds good. I don't have any pain. Should a 75 yr old go just to be sure? Let me hear your opinion.
 

Charlotta, I went without a GP for several years and did the Lifeline Screening just as a precaution about 4 years ago. When I finally got a regular doctor, he mentioned that it was not a bad idea to have done that, and that they were one of the best of those organizations that do those kinds of health tests. I expected him to make fun of the idea.

When you get there they will ask you if you want to do some extra things. One was an osteoporosis test which he said was pretty useless---they only measure the bones in your heels. I believe there are 5 basic tests and he said those 5 were the important ones.

I've never gone back. Of course you usually have to complain about something, before your doctor will order some of those same tests---as it probably should be. It is much quicker than going through the doctor. You get the results back before you leave.
 
charlotta said:
I just gotten a brochure urging me to get an Lifeline Screening for $139. has anyone ever gotten one? Every time I go for a ck up the doctor says
all sounds good. I don't have any pain. Should a 75 yr old go just to be sure? Let me hear your opinion.
Click to expand...

We've received these offers in the mail, too. However, Medicare offers an annual wellness visit, and if you have a supplemental policy, that visit/screening covers quite a few things. We have a Humana Medicare Advantage plan, and it even covers an annual MRI to check for lung issues, etc., along with the basic blood work, and stool sample analysis, etc. I've had these tests the past 3 or 4 years, and I don't think the co-pays have exceeded $150 each year.
 

I've seen those advertised, but my understanding is that most of the tests were covered under my insurance anyway. I'd rather coordinate everything through my PCP.
 
I got one back in the late 90s, one of my coworkers got one that revealed a serious problem, so I was motivated. Mine was good, better safe than sorry. Had I made inquiries though, I probably could have gotten a referral for the procedure from my HMO for much less than what I paid.
 
I have gotten those offers in the mail and sometimes they insert a flyer in the local paper when one is nearby. Good info, glad this was brought up.
 
I took several tests many years ago. It is not a scam or anything like that.

See if it is covered by your insurance. If not, the prices are good, if you are concerned about a health problem.

I do not use them any more as I have medicare.
 
IMO they are a good value.

My PCP reviewed the results and ordered an additional bone density test as a result. We adjusted some of my medications, added some vitamins and retested a year later with good results.

One thing I will tell you is that if you sign up for the testing you will get followup mailings for several years following the initial testing.
 
I go in for Lifeline screening every year in addition to the wellness visit to my regular Doc. They do tests that aren't usually done by your Doc. My dad survived an aortic aneurysm - so I get checked for that - also carotid plaque and peripheral circulation. I periodically check my own cholesterol here at home, but use theirs as a cross check. I also get the bone density test every couple of years, the have the full test done by my doc every 4 or 5 years.
One of the things that enable a long and healthy life is access to good medical care. Unfortunately, waiting for "pain" is likely to be fatal - particularly with cancer and heart disease - that also goes for any infections. Being in touch for your body can be life saving.
 
When I was working, would have lots of patients come in after having their screenings. Just keep in mind there's further testing etc a doc does, not going to takes what Lifeline says as gospel.
 
I am very cynical about such things. We have similar ones here in the UK, but why pay again when I have regular check-ups with my GP for free.

Some years ago, my employer introduced these health checks for free through a national healthcare provider. Mine went reasonably OK and I later mentioned this to a drinking buddy who was a medical officer in the navy. He looked at me and then said, well what I expect they said was ................ and I said that was exactly what they said. And he said , Good, that will be £50.
 

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