CT Virtual Colonoscopy

At Southtowns Radiology, we are early detection champions for colorectal cancer.

A virtual colonoscopy, also called a CT colonography, uses low-dose CT technology to look for polyps or growths on the inside of the colon. Because colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the US, it is essential that polyps in the colon are detected early, when they are most treatable.

Using low-dose CT, a virtual colonoscopy is less invasive than a traditional colonoscopy, and is a recommended alternative for patients who are on blood-thinning medication, have difficulty breathing, or who do not respond well to anesthetic. Additionally, the scan may be able to image areas of the large intestine that would not be easily seen during a conventional colonoscopy.

Low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) is a special type of imaging that takes very detailed, 3-D pictures of your colon and rectum. While it uses 75% less radiation than a traditional CT scan, it also shows significantly more detail than a standard abdominal X-Ray.

In most cases, the scan doesn’t take more than 30 minutes, and does not require anesthesia. No recovery time is needed, and patients typically can resume daily activity right away. Furthermore, virtual CT colonoscopies are cost-effective as compared to traditional colonoscopies, especially for those who are paying out-of-pocket for the screening. Patients are able to drive themselves, do not need someone to accompany them, and can return to normal activities immediately after this study.

We are proud to offer advanced technology on our 64-slice scanner for a reduction in radiation levels of up to 50%. This state-of-the-art imaging adds greater peace of mind for patients concerned about radiation exposure while actually improving image quality.

There are important risk factors to consider when thinking about colorectal cancer screening:

The American College of Radiology (ACR) aligns with the American Cancer Society with regard to colorectal cancer screenings. Southtowns Radiology follows this guidance and we recommend that patients with average risk, screening for colorectal cancer beginning at age 45 with a CT colonography study completed every 5 years.

Healthcare providers may use a risk-based outcomes tool from the National Cancer Institute at the National Institute of Health (NIH) to evaluate a patient’s individual risk of colorectal cancer. For more information and to calculate your risk of colorectal cancer, visit the NIH NCI website. 

Typical insurance coverage and out of pocket cost for a virtual colonoscopy you should consider include:

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) mandates that private insurers fully cover CT colonography. However, Medicare is currently considering coverage of the exam. Further information on larger insurance companies who cover virtual colonoscopy exams independent of the ACA requirements can be found on the ACR website.

We are In-Network with all major insurance carriers, including Independent Health, Highmark BlueCross BlueShield, Univera, Aetna, United Healthcare and more. For a comprehensive list of insurances we accept, questions regarding your insurance coverage for a virtual colonoscopy, or billing questions regarding another service we provide, please visit our Billing & Insurance page. You can also call the customer service number on your insurance card and talk directly with a representative there.

When self-pay or paying out-of-pocket is considered, the cost of a virtual colonoscopy at Southtowns Radiology is $890. Because no sedation or recovery is required, this is significantly lower than a traditional colonoscopy, which on average costs $3,000. If you are considering paying for a virtual colonoscopy on your own, please call our scheduling department at 716.649.9000 and select option 1.