• What is ImageChecker?
• Is ImageChecker an Optional Service?
• Will My Health Insurer Cover ImageChecker?

What is ImageChecker?

ImageChecker is a computer-aided detection (CAD) system that analyzes mammograms by identifying areas containing features associated with cancer that warrant further examination. The Palo Alto Medical Foundation (PAMF) has the latest version of the technology, which aids radiologists in detecting signs of breast cancer in early stages when the disease is most treatable.

After the radiologist examines the mammogram, the ImageChecker acts like a "spellchecker" and scans the mammogram with a laser beam, converting the images into a digital computer signal. A video monitor shows the images of the mammograms, and suspicious areas are highlighted. Finally, the radiologist examines the areas highlighted by the ImageChecker to determine if the areas of concern need further evaluation.

The ImageChecker, which is manufactured by R2 Technology Inc., headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif., was approved in 1998 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
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Is ImageChecker an Optional Service?

No. ImageChecker is an integral part of mammography services at PAMF and is not optional. The technology helps to detect cancers at the earliest possible stages and maximizes the benefits of having a mammogram. Early detection of breast cancer is the key to higher survival rates, better prognosis and lower treatment costs.

Clinical studies have shown that for every 100,000 cancers detected during screening mammography, general use of the ImageChecker could result in an additional 12,800 women annually who could have their breast cancers detected. Use of the ImageChecker could also result in earlier detection of up to 23.4 percent of the cancers currently detected with screening mammography in women who had a mammogram nine to 24 months earlier.
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Will My Health Insurer Cover ImageChecker?

Coverage for the ImageChecker will vary by health plan. Many health insurers will cover 100 percent of the costs of ImageChecker services as part of mammography screening. However, some health insurers will not cover this cost. If your health insurer does not cover the cost of ImageChecker, you may be charged a fee to cover the cost of the services.

Contact your insurer directly to find out if ImageChecker services are covered under your plan. If you have questions about the service or the additional charge, please contact Cheryl Donaville in the Department of Radiology at 650-853-4708.
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