"Welcome to Medicare" Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening
Medicare covers this one-time screening ultrasound if you receive a referral for it as a result of your "Welcome to Medicare" preventive visit. You must get the preventive visit and the screening ultrasound referral (not the ultrasound exam itself) within the first 12 months you have Medicare Part B.
Am I eligible?:
- A family history of abdominal aortic aneurysm
- You must be a man age 65 to 75 who has smoked at least 100 cigarettes in his lifetime
- You have never had an AAA ultrasound screening paid for by Medicare.
- A physician’s referral for the AAA ultrasound screening is required for your "Welcome to Medicare" preventive visit.
NO food or beverage seven (7) hours before your scheduled exam. It is therefore best to have the examination performed after an overnight fast, and it is important to avoid tobacco and caffeine prior to the test. A complete examination may take as long as an hour. Wear comfortable, loose fitting clothing.
Schedule an Appointment
To schedule an appointment, call 866-473-5605.
Vascular Lab Screenings
The vascular screenings are performed by Registered Vascular Technologists (RVT) specializing in vascular testing. A physician’s referral is not needed for the vascular screenings listed below.
The Vascular screenings performed in the Hoag Vascular Lab consist of the following:
- Aorta: Ultrasound scan of the aorta to identify aortic aneurysms
- Carotid Arteries: Ultrasound scan of the carotid arteries to assess stroke risk
- ABI (Ankle/brachial Index): Blood pressure measurements in the legs to identify Peripheral Vascular Disease and risk of heart disease
Appropriate vascular screenings in high-risk individuals include:
- Hypertension
- Diabetes mellitus
- Smoking
- High Cholesterol
- Known cardiovascular disease
- Family history of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)
To schedule an appointment, call 949-764-5550.
Free Valve Screening for Seniors 65 and Older
Through a generous grant from Edwards
Lifesciences, Orange County seniors may qualify to receive a heart valve
screening at no cost. Seniors who have not had previous heart valve surgery, nor
have been diagnosed with heart valve disease may be eligible.
Schedule an Appointment
To schedule an appointment, call 949-764-VALVE (8258).