About The Pet Center

How much does it cost?

In order to provide the highest quality PET imaging of the heart at an affordable price, yet still offer the expertise of K. Lance Gould M.D., the Weatherhead PET Center for Preventing and Reversing Atherosclerosis has established the following levels of preventive service and payment options:

Plan 1 — For Cash or Private Insurance patients

PET Scan and comprehensive lifestyle and medical assessment by K. Lance Gould M.D. – $3000

This plan includes a detailed medical and lifestyle evaluation, the PET scan and personal review of the results with Dr. Gould followed by a detailed preventive Medicine treatment plan. The preventive medicine plan with Dr. Gould includes a comprehensive review of medical history, medications, symptoms, diet, exercise regimen, and lifestyle. A full written report including preventive treatment recommendations is sent to the patient and to other physicians as requested.
A portion of these charges may be reimbursed by insurance but due to the uncertainty of the reimbursement, payment is required at the time of service. Payment can be made by cash, check or credit card. We will assist you in filing the charges to your insurance company to be reimbursed to you.

Plan 2 — Options for patients with Medicare coverage

Patients with established heart disease on Medicare may be referred by their private physician for PET imaging. Charges will be billed to Medicare but patients will be responsible for their deductible and for the remainder of the charges not reimbursed by Medicare. (Not to exceed the Medicare allowable charge) This plan will not include a preventive medicine plan or review of results with Dr. Gould. A report of the PET will be sent to the referring physician.

A Preventive Health treatment plan by Dr. Gould is available for Medicare patients for an additional charge of $500, which may not be covered by Medicare. This includes a detailed medical and lifestyle evaluation, a personal review of the results with Dr. Gould followed by a detailed preventive Medicine treatment plan. This preventive service plan with Dr. Gould and staff includes a comprehensive review of medical history, medications, symptoms, diet, exercise regimen and lifestyle. A full written report is sent to the patient and to other physicians as requested.

Unfortunately, Medicare does not cover the costs of PET for patients having only the risk factors for heart disease such as family history, high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure or diabetes , therefore the cash prices would apply.

Long Term Follow-up

In order to stick to his basic philosophy of giving each patient the individual attention and time needed to reinforce lifestyle change, Dr. Gould has limited his practice to only those patients with Coronary artery disease who are truly interested in preventing or reversing their disease by lifestyle management. Most patients can carry out the treatment plan started by Dr. Gould with the help of an Internal Medicine or Family Practice Doctor. When the results of the PET scan are discussed, Dr. Gould will determine if enrollment into our follow-up Reversal Program is appropriate or necessary, since it entails additional charges. Let us know if you would like more details about the Reversal Program.

For further information, please call the Weatherhead PET Center for Preventing and Reversing Atherosclerosis at (713) 500-6611.