NMMC-Iuka Offers $99 Lung Cancer Screening in November

Tishomingo County residents worried about their lung health can get a screening scan for $99 this month. North Mississippi Health Services is offering a discounted Iuka lung cancer screening with low-dose CT at North Mississippi Medical Center-Iuka throughout November, which is Lung Cancer Awareness Month.

NMHS announced the promotion on Oct. 27. It applies to scans performed during November at seven NMHS locations, and NMMC-Iuka is the closest of them for families in Iuka, Burnsville, Belmont, Tishomingo, and Corinth.

Why the Iuka Lung Cancer Screening Matters

Lung cancer is often found late, after symptoms appear. A low-dose CT scan can catch it earlier, when treatment options are better.

“Early detection is key in the fight against lung cancer,” said Daniel Lenard, NMHS vice president for oncology and radiology. He said the screening can catch lung cancer “at its most treatable stage.”

The test itself is quick. Gary Tedford, NMHS director of radiology, said low-dose CT needs no needles or special preparation, and “the scan takes less than a minute to complete.”

What to Know Before You Go

• Price: $99. The screening is not billed to insurance, and payment is due before the test.
• Order required: A health care provider must order the scan, but the offer is open to anyone concerned about lung cancer risk.
• No age or smoking requirement: For the November special, patients don’t need to meet the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) screening criteria.
• Timing: The scan must be done during November.

Any symptoms such as a chronic cough or trouble breathing should be checked by a provider separately. The screening is not a substitute for that visit.

Who Insurance Usually Covers

NMHS notes that most insurers already cover low-dose CT lung screening for people who meet the USPSTF guidelines:

• Ages 50 to 80
• Currently smoke, or quit within the past 15 years
• A smoking history of 20 pack-years or more

People who meet those guidelines may want to check with their insurer first. The $99 option is aimed at people who don’t qualify for covered screening but still want peace of mind.

Where and How to Schedule

Besides NMMC-Iuka, the $99 price is offered at Medical Imaging at Barnes Crossing in Tupelo and at NMHS hospitals in Amory, Eupora, Pontotoc, and West Point, Mississippi, and Hamilton, Alabama. To get started:

• Take the online lung screening quiz at nmhs.net/lung-screening-quiz and request an appointment.
• Call The Desk at 1-800-843-3375 (1-800-THE-DESK).
• Talk with your primary care provider.

For more local health news, see our story on Magnolia Regional Health Center’s nurse residency program.

Source: North Mississippi Health Services