Carolina Breast Care Specialists: Sean Canale, MD

11/22/2025

Are you one of the thousands in the greater Triangle area with a United Healthcare policy and now "out of network" with WakeMed AND the practices they own?

And, this is not a unique circumstance. See the UNC (including Rex) notice of Medicare Advantage programs that they are dropping and listen to the Duke commercials about their contracts with Aetna. Or the simple existence and "management" of the UNC Health Alliance that colludes with BCBS-NC to restrict the network to only providers owned (and controlled) by UNC.

Hospitals and systems have become large monsters who's (along with insurance companies) primary purpose is no longer CARE of and for a patient but the almighty $$$

This environment has created significant challenges for private practice providers (most of whom helped support and build these hospitals over the years with their patients AND tax dollars). Especially in specialty care, it can be very difficult to find someone who continues to fight the battle to remain private, independent, and with a patient first focus.

At Carolina Breast Care Specialists, PA, we remain in this number as the ONLY private 100% breast health focused practice offering a full array of services including but not limited to breast cancer risk assessment (with high risk screening/surveillance protocols), genetic testing, screening (automated whole breast) and diagnostic ultrasound, 3D screening and diagnostic mammography, multiple methods of minimally invasive image guided biopsy, and oncoplastic surgery expertise in both breast conservation and mastectomy
As we approach our 20th anniversary, to date we have never "dropped" an insurer.

If you are one of the thousands in this area who feel or have been displaced, we are here as a home for the now and future for you breast health issues/concerns.

Call us today at 919-741-5966 (M-Th, 8a-6p).
And, share this with your friends and other healthcare providers.

10/16/2025

From aone of our patients at Carolina Breast Care Specialists

10/13/2025

News Flash!!!

UNC Health plans to terminate three Medicare Advantage (MA) contracts—Humana, WellCare and Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC/formerly Cigna)—at the end of 2025!

Medicare Advantage (Humana, WellCare, HCSC) • What’s happening:
o Beginning January 1, 2026, UNC Health will no longer be in-network with Humana Medicare Advantage, WellCare Medicare Advantage, or Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC, formerly Cigna) Medicare Advantage plans.
o Patients with these MA plans will lose in-network access to UNC Health providers and services at that time.
• Who is affected:
o Patients currently enrolled in a Humana, WellCare, or HCSC Medicare Advantage plan

For affected patients, please know that Carolina Breast Care Specialists, PA is and will remain "in network" with these plans and are happy to seen any patients who may be affected by this UNC Health decision for any/all breast health issues. And, you do not need to wait until January 1, 2026 to be seen here. Please feel free to contact us at 919-741-5966, M-Th, 8a-6p

02/17/2025

At Carolina Breast Care Specialists, PA, we have > 10 years of experience in performing Sonocine´ Automated Whole Breast Ultrasound Screening (AWBUS) as an adjunct to mammography for our patients with documented overall increased mammographic density (heterogeneously dense or extremely dense).
Call us today for more information and to schedule a consultation.
919-741-5966

Pennsylvania, South Carolina propose requiring insurers to cover breast MRI, ultrasound
Marty Stempniak | February 09, 2025 | Radiology Business | Policy & Regulations

Lawmakers in Pennsylvania and South Carolina are proposing requiring health insurers to pay for breast MRI, ultrasound and other supplemental imaging.

Rep. Gina Curry and colleagues introduced House Bill 433 in the Keystone State Jan. 31, referring the measure to the Committee on Insurance. Rep. Sylleste Davis did the same with HB 3202 in South Carolina Jan. 14, as lawmakers sent the bill to the Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry for consideration.

While health plans are required to cover regular screening mammograms, women with dense breasts or genetic a genetic predisposition to the disease may need additional exams. Gaps in coverage result in individuals paying anywhere from $234 for a follow-up diagnostic mammogram to over $1,000 for a breast MRI. These added costs lead to 1 in 5 women opting to forgo additional testing if they don’t have the funds, a study in Radiology found.

"Eliminating out-of-pocket costs for diagnostic breast imaging is not just a matter of healthcare—it's a matter of life and death,” Curry, a Democrat representing Pennsylvania’s Delaware County, said in a statement from the Susan G. Komen foundation shared Feb. 5. “By removing financial barriers to critical follow-up tests, we ensure no one has to choose between their health and their finances, ultimately saving lives and reducing long-term healthcare costs for all.”

Health plans were first required to cover regular screening mammograms under provisions of the Affordable Care Act. Some members of Congress have since pushed for national legislation to require necessary follow-up tests. However, unable to pass such a policy, states have enacted a patchwork of legislation. Over half now require insurers to cover supplemental imaging, with Massachusetts one of the most recent to pass legislation, signed by the governor in November. Others proposing breast imaging-related measures in 2025 include Utah and Virginia.

In Pennsylvania alone, over 13,650 will be diagnosed with the disease this year and 1,800 will die from the disease, Komen estimated. Another 5,870 will be diagnosed in South Carolina, and 790 are expected to perish from this form of cancer.

“Cost should not impact anyone’s chances to treat or survive cancer,” Rep. Davis said in a separate announcement. “However, the threat of these high costs keep women from getting the imaging they need. That’s why I am sponsoring HB 3202 to require health insurance providers to provide diagnostic and supplemental breast examination coverage without cost-sharing requirements.”

11/01/2024

10/29/2024

3D screening & diagnostic mammography available at Carolina Breast Care Specialists, PA

Call 919-741-5966 to schedule