Cancer Screening Recommendations for Women in Long Beach, CA

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Cancer Screening Recommendations for Women in Long Beach, CA

If you’ve recently been thinking more about cancer screening—especially after a family member’s diagnosis—you are not alone. It’s completely natural to want to ensure you’re doing everything possible to stay healthy and catch any potential issues early. Even if you feel healthy now, understanding which cancer screenings are recommended for women your age can provide peace of mind and help you plan your next steps confidently.

This post is here to guide you through the basics of cancer screening recommendations for women, who to see in Long Beach, CA, and what initial visit costs might look like if you’re paying out of pocket. We want you to feel informed and empowered to take charge of your health.

Who to See for Your Symptoms in Long Beach, CA

Based on your interest in cancer screening, especially for colon and cervical cancer, here are some types of providers in Long Beach who could be a good starting point:

  • Preventive Medicine Specialists: These doctors focus on keeping you healthy with annual wellness visits and personalized prevention plans.
  • Family Practice Doctors: Family practitioners are generalists who manage a wide range of health issues, including screenings like pelvic exams and stool tests.
  • Internal Medicine Doctors: These specialists provide comprehensive adult care, including colorectal cancer screenings, often for patients with higher risk factors.
  • Gastroenterologists: These are experts in digestive system health and perform specialized procedures like colonoscopies to detect colorectal cancer.

Each of these providers plays an important role in cancer screening and early detection.

What to Expect: Initial Visits and Estimated Costs

Visit with a Preventive Medicine Specialist

  • Procedure: Annual wellness visit; includes a personalized prevention plan of service (PPS) (CPT Code: G0438 initial visit, G0439 subsequent visit)
  • Purpose: This appointment helps your provider create a personalized plan to monitor and reduce your health risks, including cancer screenings.
  • Estimated Self-Pay Cost:
    • Initial visit: $285.41 (typically ranges from $214.06 to $356.76)
    • Subsequent visits: $220.80 (typically ranges from $165.60 to $276.00)
  • Provider Availability: Based on 1 provider for initial visit and 3 providers for subsequent visits in Long Beach.

Visit with a Family Practice Doctor

  • Procedure: Cervical or vaginal cancer screening; pelvic and clinical breast examination (CPT Code: G0101)

  • Purpose: A simple but important exam to detect early signs of cervical or breast cancer, two of the most common cancers in women.

  • Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $69.22 (typically ranges from $51.91 to $86.52)

  • Provider Availability: 5 providers in Long Beach.

  • Procedure: Colorectal cancer screening; fecal occult blood test, immunoassay, 1-3 simultaneous (CPT Code: G0328)

  • Purpose: A non-invasive stool test that can detect hidden blood—a potential early sign of colon cancer.

  • Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $28.30 (ranges from $21.23 to $35.38)

  • Provider Availability: 5 providers in Long Beach.

  • Procedure: Stool analysis for blood to screen for colon tumors (CPT Code: 82270)

  • Purpose: A simple lab test to detect blood in stool, aiding early colon cancer detection.

  • Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $8.29 (ranges from $5.15 to $11.44)

  • Provider Availability: 7 providers in Long Beach.

Visit with an Internal Medicine Doctor

  • Procedure: Colorectal cancer screening; colonoscopy on individual at high risk (CPT Code: G0105)

  • Purpose: A thorough exam of the colon using a camera, recommended if you have factors that increase your risk of colon cancer.

  • Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $390.21 (ranges from $223.58 to $556.83)

  • Provider Availability: 6 providers in Long Beach.

  • Procedure: Colorectal cancer screening; colonoscopy on individual not at high risk (CPT Code: G0121)

  • Purpose: Standard colonoscopy to screen for colorectal cancer in those at average risk.

  • Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $376.28 (ranges from $228.28 to $524.28)

  • Provider Availability: 3 providers in Long Beach.

  • Procedure: Stool analysis for blood to screen for colon tumors (CPT Code: 82270)

  • Purpose: Blood detection in stool to catch early colon cancer signs.

  • Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $6.89 (ranges from $4.34 to $9.44)

  • Provider Availability: 6 providers in Long Beach.

  • Procedure: Stool analysis for blood, by fecal hemoglobin determination by immunoassay (CPT Code: 82274)

  • Purpose: A stool test that uses immunoassay techniques to detect hidden blood for early cancer screening.

  • Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $24.96 (ranges from $18.72 to $31.20)

  • Provider Availability: 2 providers in Long Beach.

Visit with a Gastroenterologist

  • Procedure: Colorectal cancer screening; colonoscopy on individual not meeting criteria for high risk (CPT Code: G0121)
  • Purpose: This is the specialized colonoscopy exam to detect colorectal cancer early for average-risk patients.
  • Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $439.68 (ranges from $226.48 to $652.89)
  • Provider Availability: 55 providers in Long Beach.

How to Interpret the Cost Estimates

Think of healthcare pricing like shopping at a busy market. Prices vary widely depending on the stall (provider), your haggling skills (insurance or negotiation), and the product’s quality (complexity of the procedure).

  • The maximum cost listed is usually just below what the provider “charges” or asks for the procedure. This is the starting point in most negotiations.
  • The minimum cost is generally a bit above the “Medicare allowed amount,” which is what Medicare has negotiated as a fair price. Providers often lose money or just break even at this lower price.

Understanding this can help you better navigate costs when you call your doctor’s office.

Know Your Rights

You have a valuable protection called the Good Faith Estimate (GFE). This means:

  • If you plan to pay out-of-pocket and not use insurance, your healthcare provider must give you a written estimate of expected charges if you ask or schedule services at least 3 business days ahead.
  • While not legally required, many doctors offer discounts for self-pay patients—don’t hesitate to ask, “What’s the cash price if I pay upfront?”
  • You have the right to request a detailed, itemized bill and dispute charges that seem incorrect or unreasonable.
  • You can also ask for the specific CPT codes and billing modifiers so you understand what services you’re paying for.
  • Many states protect you from unfair or “unconscionable” billing, particularly if you are uninsured.

Taking action now can help you stay proactive about your health:

  1. Schedule an Appointment: Contact any of the provider types above to talk about cancer screening options tailored to your age and family history.
  2. Prepare for Your Visit: Write down any symptoms, questions, or concerns you want to discuss with your doctor.
  3. Discuss Costs: When you call to book, ask about pricing and whether they provide a Good Faith Estimate for self-pay patients.
  4. Stay Positive: Remember, screenings are a powerful tool to catch problems early. You’re doing the right thing by seeking professional advice.

Need Help Navigating Your Options?

Finding affordable, trustworthy care can be confusing, especially if you’re uninsured or new to the system. That’s why we built Transparent Health: a tool to help you understand your options and find the right provider for your needs.

Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for recommendations tailored to your specific health needs.