2020 has undoubtedly been a challenging year for most of us. With so much going on in the political arena and with fears about COVID, chances are that you may have put off that annual screening mammogram, lung cancer screening, or other preventative screening exam while waiting for things to return to “normal”.
As the end of the year approaches and deductibles are on the verge of refreshing, we want to remind our patients just how crucial these annual screening procedures are and implore you to take advantage of the end-of-year to finally schedule the appointments you’ve been putting off.
Why Now?
Whether we want to admit it or not, this pandemic is far from over. Initially you may have put off your annual mammogram in hopes that things would blow over in a month or two, but with no end in sight it’s critical that you begin to put your health first again.
The sad reality is that cancer doesn’t care about COVID, and it’s not going to wait for a “convenient time” to appear. Regular screenings and early detection are critical in enabling your doctor to diagnose cancer and start treatment when the disease is in its earliest stages and your likelihood of a positive outcome is highest.
If you’ve had any past issues or are in a high-risk category, ongoing monitoring via regular screenings is especially important. Cancer isn't going to wait on the sidelines while you worry about other things. Now is the time to start getting back to real life and ensuring that all other aspects of your wellbeing are resolved!
Benefits Of Year-End Screenings
It may seem like an especially busy time of year, but there are actually a huge number of benefits to scheduling a healthcare visit during December. One of the biggest benefits of having your year-end screening now is that many people are focused on the holidays and out shopping, not scheduling medical procedures. This means better appointment availability, shorter wait times, and frankly less crowds when you’re in the office.
Another big incentive is that by this time of year, many patients have already met their insurance deductibles. Pushing your screening exam until 2021 means you’ll have to pay out of pocket for a large portion of the procedure once deductibles refresh on January 1st, but if you squeeze your appointment in this month chances are a large portion (if not all of your costs) will be covered!
Wouldn't it be nice to start 2021 with the peace of mind knowing that you go into the new year healthy without any concerns? 2020 has been very stressful for most Americans, and gaining a little peace is another huge reason to schedule your year-end screening right now before this year comes to a close.
December isn’t over yet, so find a BICRAD location near you and call today to schedule your annual screening!