Ladies, have you had this new testing called "PapSure"?!
Question: My insurance does not cover it since it is new to the market. I opted out of having it done mainly because I did not want to have to take the time. Should I reconsider?
Answers: My insurance does not cover it since it is new to the market. I opted out of having it done mainly because I did not want to have to take the time. Should I reconsider?
I hate to speak ill of other doctors, but in all honesty, the "PapSure" is just a way for gynecologists to make extra money. There is no evidence that it improves a woman's health at all, which is why your insurance won't cover it (and it's not that new; I knew an Ob/Gyn doctor several years ago who was doing them).
Here's how it works:
Normally, you get a traditional Pap smear every year where they scrape cells off your cervix. If there's an abnormality in those cells, the doctor will do a more in-depth test called a colposcopy, where he looks at the cervix with a magnifying scope and identifies abnormal-looking places to biopsy. The pieces of tissue from the biopsies are examined under a microscope to determine if cervical cancer is developing. If it is, then they cut it out or freeze it off; but if not, they just do traditional Pap smears every few months to make sure the abnormal cells go away.
PapSure is where they do a colposcopy with every Pap smear, the idea being that they might pick up an abnormality that the traditional Pap smear misses. It sounds good in theory, but cervical cancer takes many years to develop, and the vast majority of "abnormal" Pap smears return to normal on their own, without any surgery (that is, most women's bodies fight off the changes and never develop cervical cancer). PapSure doesn't make a difference in the long run.
The bottom line is this:
If you have money to burn, feel free to pay your gynecologist $100 or more for the PapSure. No, it's not going to benefit you in the long run, but it's not likely going to harm you, either, and I'm sure he could use the extra cash (malpractice insurance costs a lot these days!) On the other hand, you could keep your hard-earned cash and rest assured, as long as you keep getting your routine Pap smears every year (and a colposcopy if the Pap is ever abnormal).
Sorry this was so long, but I think it's important for patients to be well educated so they can make the best decisions for their health.
never heard of it