Mammography (Mammogram)
Mammography
An annual mammogram is your best defense against breast cancer. Main Line Health offers state-of-the-art technology, expert breast radiologists and surgeons, and certified mammography technicians to provide women with the best care possible for early detection, screening and diagnosis.
Time is precious—and so is your breast health. That's why Main Line Health offers appointments at 10 convenient health centers and hospital locations throughout the Philadelphia region.
What happens when my health insurance policy requires prior authorization?
If your insurance policy says it requires prior authorization, you need to ensure your physician has obtained this authorization before you are admitted to the hospital. If authorization is required but not obtained, you could be responsible for the total hospital charges.
How can I find out and prepare for my out-of-pocket liability?
Before delivery, knowing how much you will be responsible for paying will help you plan for the costs. If you are not sure what your out-of-pocket liability is, you can request an estimate by calling customer service or by going online. Call 484.337.1970 or visit mainlinehealth.org/patientbilling.
How much time do I have to add my baby to the policy?
Most insurance companies require that a new child be added to the parent's policy within 30 days of birth. Failure to do so could result in your insurance company refusing to pay for the child's hospital and physician services. If this occurs, the patient or responsible party will be billed for the services. Call your insurance company ahead of time to determine when your new child should be added to the policy.
What happens if I do not have insurance coverage?
For patients who qualify, Main Line Health offers charity care and financial assistance. Main Line Health financial counselors can assist you with the application. Call 484.337.1970 or visit mainlinehealth.org/charitycare.
How will the hospital handle my insurance and billing?
The hospital will bill your insurance company or companies. A valid insurance card is required at the time of your admission. Your estimated out-of-pocket liability is due at the time of admission unless you show evidence of a secondary insurance.
Given Main Line Health's relationship with Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), will any bills come from them?
Many deliveries at Main Line Health are attended by neonatal providers (physicians, physician assistants or nurse practitioners) who are affiliated with CHOP. In the event you or your newborn requires care from a CHOP clinician during your hospital stay, you will receive a bill from CHOP.
Main Line Health requires a neonatal provider to attend cesarean section deliveries for the safety and well-being of the newborn. A neonatal provider may also be requested by the obstetrical care provider for certain deliveries, or may be required according to Main Line Health policy to attend vaginal deliveries where certain maternal conditions exist or there are concerns about the baby's health that may require immediate assessment. Ask your obstetrician if they anticipate this for your delivery. If you do receive a bill from CHOP, call 1-800-283-3055.
Main Line Health requires a neonatal provider to attend cesarean section deliveries for the safety and well-being of the newborn. A neonatal provider may also be requested by the obstetrical care provider for certain deliveries, or may be required according to Main Line Health policy to attend vaginal deliveries where certain maternal conditions exist or there are concerns about the baby's health that may require immediate assessment. Ask your obstetrician if they anticipate this for your delivery. If you do receive a bill from CHOP, call 1-800-283-3055.
What do I need to do to make a perinatal testing appointment?
You will need to know which test you need, why the doctor has requested it and how many weeks pregnant you are.
Most of our doctors use an order form from the Perinatal Testing Center. This form will need to have the type of test checked off on the front and the diagnosis code checked off on the back, as well as the doctor's signature. If the doctor's office does not have these forms, a regular prescription will do as long as it contains the same information.
Once you have that information, call our central scheduling desk and inform our scheduler which Main Line Health hospital you are interested in. After you have made your appointment, contact your doctor's office and let them know the date and have them activate your referrals if needed.
Most of our doctors use an order form from the Perinatal Testing Center. This form will need to have the type of test checked off on the front and the diagnosis code checked off on the back, as well as the doctor's signature. If the doctor's office does not have these forms, a regular prescription will do as long as it contains the same information.
Once you have that information, call our central scheduling desk and inform our scheduler which Main Line Health hospital you are interested in. After you have made your appointment, contact your doctor's office and let them know the date and have them activate your referrals if needed.
What do I need to bring to my perinatal testing appointment?
You will need to bring the order form (or regular prescription), your insurance card and a photo ID. If your insurance plan requires a referral, you need to bring your referral, too, and present it prior to the test.
If you are having a test done, you will need to supply documentation confirming your blood type. Your doctor's office should have a copy if you have had your obstetric panel drawn.
If you are coming in for a consultation, a copy of your prenatal records and all testing results must be supplied for the perinatologist to review prior to the day of your appointment
If you are having a test done, you will need to supply documentation confirming your blood type. Your doctor's office should have a copy if you have had your obstetric panel drawn.
If you are coming in for a consultation, a copy of your prenatal records and all testing results must be supplied for the perinatologist to review prior to the day of your appointment
Can I bring children with me for my ultrasound or testing?
Per our COVID - 19 visitation policy, one (1) adult visitor or support person is permitted to accompany patient for ultrasound appointments only. No children are permitted.
Can I use my cell phone while in the Perinatal Testing Center?
We ask for all cell phones to be turned off during all procedures or scanning in the Perinatal Testing Center.
May I videotape my ultrasound?
Although this is a happy and exciting time for expectant parents, this is still a medical process and we do not allow photographing or videotaping. Our technicians and doctors have to be able to concentrate to complete this comprehensive evaluation of your baby.
How do I get the 3D/4D ultrasound?
The 3D/4D ultrasound is used at the discretion of the doctor when it is medically necessary.
Who performs the ultrasound?
The ultrasound is performed by a specially trained perinatal sonographer and the perinatologist.
How do I prepare for an ultrasound?
If you are less than 15 weeks pregnant, you will need to drink 16 ounces of water within an hour of your appointment. For example, if your appointment is at 10 a.m., start drinking at 9 a.m. Otherwise, no special preparation is required; you may eat and drink normally prior to the test.
Does the doctor run on time?
Every effort is made to ensure that our perinatologists stay on schedule. Please remember that the nature of medicine assumes that certain unexpected and emergent situations will arise throughout the day. Due to the nature of high-risk and emergent-care situations, more time with the perinatologist may be necessary. In order to maintain the doctors’ schedules, we require that patients keep to their scheduled time.
If a patient arrives more than 15 minutes after their scheduled appointment time, we will offer two options: you may reschedule the appointment for another day or you may wait until the first available opening that day. Please remember to allow enough time for traffic and parking.
If a patient arrives more than 15 minutes after their scheduled appointment time, we will offer two options: you may reschedule the appointment for another day or you may wait until the first available opening that day. Please remember to allow enough time for traffic and parking.
How do I prepare for a first-trimester/sequential screening/NIPT?
The only preparation needed for the first-trimester/sequential screening/NIPT is to drink 16 ounces of water within the hour prior to your appointment.
How do I prepare for a CVS?
For a chorionic villus sampling (CVS) we must have a hard copy of your current blood type in our file prior to the procedure. Ask your doctor's office to fax it to us. In addition, you will need to drink 16 ounces of water within the hour prior to your appointment.
How do I prepare for an amniocentesis?
For an amniocentesis we must have a hard copy of your current blood type in our file prior to the procedure. Ask your doctor's office to fax it to us.
How do I prepare for a non-stress test?
The non-stress test is used to check the well-being of the baby. No special preparation is needed, but try to eat before coming for your appointment.
How do I prepare for genetic counseling?
If you have a specific genetic issue, a significant family history with either parent or you have a history of a disorder from previous pregnancies, please bring all your records with you or ask your doctor's office to fax it to us. The more information the counselor has at the time of your appointment, the more comprehensive the session will be. Please remember that if your insurance plan requires referrals, you will need to bring a referral for the genetic counseling conference.
3D mammogram and breast imaging services
Screening mammograms
Tomo, or digital breast tomosynthesis (3D mammo), has been shown to make the most difference for women between the ages of 40 and 50 years old who have dense breasts; and/or those with a personal history of breast cancer.
3D mammography provides our radiologists with a high-accuracy view of the breast, which leads to clear detection, minimal callbacks, and peace of mind.
The benefits of tomo include:
- Reduces the need for follow-up imaging
- Pinpoints with high accuracy the size, shape and location of abnormalities
- Detects multiple breast tumors with great precision
At Main Line Health we offer state-of-the-art technology, expert breast radiologists, and certified mammography technicians all working together to provide women with the best care possible for screenings and diagnostic studies. Mammograms are interpreted by Main Line Health board-certified radiologists who have additional certification by the ACR (American College of Radiology) specifically for mammography interpretation.
Other breast diagnostic services
We also offer the following diagnostic services:
- Stereotactic breast biopsy – This minimally invasive procedure uses three-dimensional computerized imaging to pinpoint suspicious areas in the breast for biopsy.
- MRI-guided biopsy – This biopsy uses a powerful magnetic field to locate a breast lump or abnormality and guide a needle to remove a tissue sample.
- Ultrasound-guided biopsy – These biopsies are performed at the hospital or surgeon's office. The radiologist/physician uses an ultrasound to accurately locate the suspicious area and to guide the needle into position for a specimen.
- Presurgical lesion localization – Using mammography, ultrasound or MRI, the radiologist places a marker to provide a roadmap for the surgeon.
Schedule a screening mammogram by calling 484.580.1800.
Breast density
Breast Density - Main Line Health is committed to helping you understand what is currently known about breast density and its implications for breast cancer screening, so you will be better prepared to work with your doctor to protect your breast health.
Understanding the difference between screening and diagnostic mammogram
We understand that the language of health care can be confusing at times - and that's the last thing you need when you're trying to manage your well-being. Some of our patients have asked us to explain the difference between screening and diagnostic mammogram so we thought this infographic might help.