Attorney General's News Release

September 6, 2005

Nixon ensures itinerant ultra-sound business will provide information in advance, work with Missouri-licensed physician

Jefferson City, Mo. — Missourians who have ultra-sound tests done by a mobile service visiting Jefferson City this week will be provided more complete information in advance about the procedure, and will know that the testing company is working with a Missouri-licensed physician, thanks to an agreement obtained by Attorney General Jay Nixon.

Nixon obtained court approval of the agreement with the testing business, Ultra Life, of Huntington, Calif.; and its owner, Warren R. Green, today in Cole County Circuit Court. Ultra Life has advertised ultra-sound body scans in Springfield and Jefferson City through newspaper inserts and other means. The inserts ask people to make appointments for the tests and state "A Body Scan Save Your Life!" Testing packages cost from $45 to $500.

Nixon says such scans constitute the practice of medicine in Missouri, and must be done in cooperation with a Missouri-licensed physician. Ultra Life also was not registered with the Secretary of State's Office to do business in Missouri.

Under the assurance of voluntary compliance, Ultra Life agrees to:

• Provide the Attorney General's Office with a letter from a Missouri-licensed physician who has had no prior disciplinary action taken against him or her, to show that the physician is working with Ultra Life to provide medical services in a way that does not violate state statutes on the practice of medicine.
• Advise consumers in writing, in advance of administering ultra sound medical services, that additional testing may be necessary to make a complete and thorough diagnosis which a consumer may be experiencing; that a consumer's personal physician may not accept the findings of the ultra-sound medical services and that the physician might require the consumer to undergo similar or additional tests; and that the consumer's health insurance may not cover the cost of testing.
• Register any names under which it is doing business with the Secretary of State.
• Not violate the Missouri statute on the unauthorized practice of medicine.

In addition, Ultra Life will pay $5,000 to the Attorney General's Office to cover the costs of the case.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to the Press Secretary.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818