5 Reasons to Offer a Direct-to-Patient Breast AI Service

Artificial intelligence is changing how we approach breast imaging. For radiologists and patients alike, AI can address many long-standing frustrations—exam accuracy, confidence in results, and the time it takes to interpret studies. With AI, we can perform a more thorough exam, read faster, and pinpoint which findings truly matter. The result? The potential for more small cancers found early, fewer unnecessary recalls, fewer biopsies, and faster turnaround times.

So why aren’t more centers investing in AI? The biggest barrier is often a lack of reimbursement—but that will change, just as it did with 3D mammography. Instead of waiting, I decided to offer AI as a second read and charge it as a direct-to-patient service. Here’s why I think more breast centers should do the same.

1. Differentiate Your Practice

Competition is fierce, and most referring providers and patients don’t realize how much advanced technology like AI can improve mammogram quality. Offering AI directly to patients not only sets your practice apart—it positions your center as a destination for advanced breast care and as a community leader in innovation.

2. Strengthen Your Revenue Stream

Out-of-pocket services help offset your technology investment and can help fund staff, training, and other improvements that elevate care. It’s a sustainable way to grow without waiting on payers to catch up.

3. Detect More Cancers

The results speak for themselves. I use Lunit INSIGHT MMG and DBT and it has transformed my reading experience. My confidence has grown, and I’ve identified cancers that likely would not have been detected until the next screening. Lunit technology is helping us make a measurable difference in early detection.

4. Offer Patients Peace of Mind

Patients appreciate choice and transparency. When offered AI, many express relief knowing their mammogram will benefit from an additional intelligent review, especially those with dense breasts or concerns about missed cancers. Until reimbursement becomes standard, we shouldn’t gatekeep innovation. We should give patients the option to invest in their own health.

5. Increase Efficiency and Throughput

AI doesn’t just enhance accuracy, it heightens productivity. With AI assistance, I read faster and with greater confidence. This has made our workload more manageable and allowed us to serve more patients without compromising quality.

The Results Are Clear

Research on Lunit INSIGHT MMG and DBT continues to demonstrate:

• Detection of cancers too subtle for the human eye to see
• Reduction in false positives, unnecessary biopsies, and interval cancers
• Improved accuracy in dense breast tissue

Here in Tennessee, where breast cancer mortality remains among the highest in the country, we owe it to our patients to use every tool available. AI helps us catch cancers we might otherwise miss.

One recent case still stands out to me.  A patient with extremely dense breasts opted for AI on her mammogram. The software flagged a subtle area with an abnormality score of 85. Without that alert, I may have overlooked it. Today, about 75% of our patients choose to add AI to their exams.

Be the Leader

If you’ve been waiting for the right time to integrate AI, this is it. Don’t wait for reimbursement to dictate innovation. Offer your patients the choice, lead your community in early detection, and set your practice apart with technology that truly makes a difference.

Disclaimers

This testimonial reflects the experience and opinion of the clinician and may not be representative of all users. The manufacturer has not independently verified the efficiency results described.

This testimonial is provided for informational purposes only. The products discussed are intended for use by healthcare professionals only.