Terceira declared.

It follows a storm after Bermuda Health Care Services were told by insurers the new reimbursement rate for a mammogram would be $75.

BHCS medical director Dr. Ewart Brown MP said this was a 33 percent cut from the old rate of $113.65.

And he described the Health Insurance Association of Bermuda's move, which came into force this month, as "reckless''.

But HIAB president Nicholas Warren said the $113 rate had only been for initial mammograms. Payments for subsequent or follow-up mammograms were calculated to be $65.20.

Mr. Warren said the HIAB executive decided that a "composite'' reimbursement rate of $75 should apply to all mammograms.

Dr. Terceira said he had discussed the controversy with Government's Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Cann and Dr. Brown.

"Dr. Cann is suggesting a review of the methodology used to determine the single rate applied to non-hospital providers of mammograms such as Dr.

Brown's facility,'' he said.

"The hospital, as well as Dr. Brown, is questioning how this figure was arrived at. We are now trying to organise a meeting to review the whole business of mammography.'' Dr. Terceira said there were three providers of mammograms in Bermuda -- the TB Cancer and Health Association, King Edward VII Memorial Hospital and Bermuda Health Care Services (BHCS).

He added costs of running a mammogram service varied between the three providers.

"I believe the cost of actually doing mammography and getting a reading is higher in the hospital and the association because they have higher overheads.

But I don't know the details.'' Dr. Cann said he was unaware off the top of his head of the cost of a mammogram at the hospital.

"Fees for the hospital are different,'' he said. "They are related to a number of factors, such as overheads.'' Dr. Cann said he had suggested a meeting between Dr. Brown and the HIAB.

"If necessary I will be present to facilitate. The key thing is for them to come together so we can find out what information and data were used to arrive at this composite figure.'' Dr. Brown pointed out annual mammograms were performed on more than 500 women at BHCS. And he urged women to voice concern to the HIAB.

Dr. Brown feared the move could lead to an increase in undetected breast cancer.

Mr. Warren, however, said: "A review of claims received by members of the HIAB indicated that claims submitted as initial mammograms were, in fact, annual or follow-up mammograms.

"The rate was, therefore, decreased for initial and increased for any subsequent mammogram.'' Clarence Terceira