Crackdown on preventive CT continues

On the heels of Colorado’s launch of an investigation into preventive imaging provider Heart Check America, a South Carolina office of the company’s sister group, Cancer Check America, has come under separate investigation from South Carolina’s Department of Health and Environmental Control.

The state agency received information that Cancer Check America, of Hilton Head Island, had performed full-body CT scans without the required physician orders, Adam Myrick, public information director for South Carolina’s Department of Health and Environmental Control, told Health Imaging News.

“Any of the full-body scans that require a physician’s prescription or physician involvement would be something we’ll take a look at,” said Adam Myrick, public information director for South Carolina’s Department of Health and Environmental Control.

Last week, Colorado’s Department of Public Health and Environment announced that it was investigating the Denver office of Heart Check America to determine whether the imaging provider had violated state law by failing to meet a provision that requires patients to present physician referrals for CT scans.

Cancer Check America had leased a CT scanner at South Carolina provider Advanced Imaging’s Hilton Head Island office. An Advanced Imaging employee, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said Cancer Check America had packed up and left entirely by Thursday. The following day, local newspaper Island Packet reported the Department of Health’s decision to investigate Cancer Check America.

Myrick said ramifications and enforcement measures were possible, but would not offer details given the preliminary nature of the investigation.

On Tuesday, Cancer Check America’s website was down and sister company Heart Check America’s toll-free number went unanswered after several phone calls.