A Cat scan doesn’t show everything which is when they will do an MRI and if that doesn’t show what they are looking for they can do a pet scan. Basically each scan shows different things.

It really depends on what they are attempting to look for. Do you know what they are attempting to diagnose? Like many people here, I have had many different types of scans (with and without many different types of contrast). I always ask the doctor ordering they scan, what they are attempting to diagnose. Then typically most scans are not inspected by the ordering doctor, but by a specialist. I then ask my doctor to sit down with me, WITH THE PICURES OF THE SCANS, and explain the diagnosis of the diagnostic doctor and show me exactly on the picture what they found. If my ordering doctor is unable to do this, I would either find another doctor or ask to have a consult with the diagnostic doctor/specialist who wrote up the report.

I also understand your frustration with the insurance company to get it approved. Then best thing is to work with your ordering doctors staff to push on the insurance companies. I have also learn that my insurance rejected a scan, so my general practitioners staff had my oncologist order the scan and it was approved right away. unfortunately, you have to learn how to work the insurance system.

One other thing I would recommend to everyone who is dealing with medical treatment for cancer. Ask your insurance company if the provide an oncology nursing associate who is assigned to you case. I have one with my insurance company and for the first year we talked every month about my treatment, I discovered she was an excellant gateway into my insurance company to get things like scans and treatments approved. And linked me up with insurance specialist to deal with travel/lodging expenses.

Good luck and I hope you get all your issue resolved.
Mark

The Healthtree Foundation website has a video on imaging for myeloma patients. It might be helpful. 💖

I hope things go well with your scan. The PET scan does show more than just tumors. Its almost like an all in one scan. But like every picture/scan it depends on who reads it. Mine was read by multiple specialists/doctors and showed ALL the fractures the other scans missed. It showed all the bone lesions caused by the MM and my doctor showed me the "hot spots" on the scan where the MM was concentrated in the bone marrow.
Look at this as a positive. It is a window into every thing that is happening inside your body.
Good luck and I hope it goes well.

"...how to code them, so insurance will pay for them ". You are exactly correct Paula. Isn't the medical industry wonderful? I am so glad we have people like you to help guide us through this maze(mess).