Have a baby or get a mammogram - both take nine months

IF you are lucky enough to have insurance and IF you are lucky enough to know that you need to get a yearly mammogram after 40 (and under 40 if your doctor says so), you'd think it would not take 9 FREAKIN months from when you schedule it to when it actually happens.

Much less at one of Chicago's premier places to receive your mammogram: Northwestern University's Prentice Women's Hospital.

Instead of waiting 9 months, why not call us: we take insurance AND we have a 60-day turnaround time (that's from the beginning of your treatment to the end of your treatment should any follow-up be needed).

773-388-1600.

Here's the thing that really gets my goat: we have a 60-day turnaround time because it is mandated by the CDC. Because IBCCP, of which we are a lead agency, is supported by CDC funds. Of course, everyone should have a 60-day turnaround time - once there is a concern with a patient's health, that patient should have quick resolution so that they can receive the best possible chances of living a long, good life. But for small community-based health centers and rural county health departments that hardly have the infrastructure to meet standards that private institutions can't even meet just seems like we are being thrown under the bus. And most importantly, the marginalized women we serve are not receiving the care and time that they deserve. I would hate for a misdiagnosis to happen because we are so concerned about meeting our 60-day turnaround time.

Props to Julie's blog at the Chicago Tribune for pointing this out.