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Frequently Asked Questions
GENERAL QUESTIONS
MRI QUESTIONS
CT QUESTIONS How and when do I get the results of my examination?Board certified physicians at the facility review your images and provide the results of your examination in a written report to your physician. Your physician will let you know when to expect the results and discuss them with you. Back to TopWill my insurance cover the procedure?What your insurance covers depends on your specific insurance plan. We will be glad to assist you in finding out what your plan covers and if you need preauthorization before the study is done. We cannot, however, guarantee any payment from your insurance company. Ultimately, you are responsible for payment of the account including any balance not covered by insurance. We are an approved provider for most major insurance carriers and health plans. A list of these insurance plans with our provider number, if applicable, can be viewed by clicking here. If your insurance company is not listed, call us for further information. Back to TopIf I have insurance, will I need to pay anything at the time of my appointment?Often, it is after your procedure, when we submit your claim to your insurance carrier that your provider lets us know for which charges, if any, you are responsible. We will then send you a bill for any copayments, deductible amounts or charges that are your responsibility. Before your scheduled appointment, we may contact your insurance company to determine these payments. If we can verify the copayment or deductible amount that would apply to your procedure, we will request those payments at the time of service however, payment plans are also available for these charges. Back to TopWhat if I do not have medical insurance? Will you give me a quote on the price of the examination?If you do not have medical insurance and you have questions about paying for your procedure, call us to receive an estimate of the cost of your study and to discuss payment options. Special cash discounts and interest free payment plans are available for self-pay patients. Back to TopWhat do I bring with me?If your physician has not already sent his prescription or order form for you to have the examination, please bring it with you. You will also need your insurance card and photo identification such as your driver’s license. Back to TopMay I request that my records are sent only to my referring doctor and insurance company and to no one else?Yes, you may request that your records are only released to who you specify on a written authorization form. Back to TopMy primary care physician ordered my test. If I go to a specialist or another doctor how will they get the results of my scan?Upon your request we will send the written results of your study to your specialist or other physician. Back to TopMay I have a copy of my films?Yes. There is no additional charge for one set of films or a CD of your study. If you require a second copy of films or CD, for yourself or another physician, there may be a small charge. Your referring physician may request a copy of the films or a CD at the time of your examination. Once your physician has reviewed the study, we recommend that you retain the films or CD for your records. Then, you have the images if you need them reviewed by another physician. Back to TopHow long will the MRI procedure take?Depending on the type of scan you are having, you can expect to be at the facility approximately one to one and one-half hours. We ask that you arrive at the center fifteen to thirty minutes before your appointment time to complete an insurance information form, a screening questionnaire related to the examination and consent forms. The technologist will discuss your history, the procedure and answer any questions you might have. If you are having study that requires the use of intravenous (IV) contrast, the technologist will start the IV line for the contrast injection. The examination usually takes from thirty to forty-five minutes. Back to TopWhat should I wear during my MRI examination?Wear loose comfortable clothing without metal snaps or zippers however, you may be asked to change into a patient gown. Although a locker will be provided for your personal items, please do not bring valuables with you. Because of the strong magnetic field, no metal objects are allowed in the scan room. You will also be asked to remove any metal objects such as watches, hairpins, clips or barrettes, jewelry, hearing aids, pagers, keys, loose pocket change and bank and credit cards. Since some make-up may contain traces of metal that distort the scan pictures, please avoid using any make-up the day of your appointment. Back to TopCan I take my regular medications?Generally you may take your regular medications. If we have requested that you do not eat or drink anything for a few hours before your examination, you may take your regular medication with a small amount of water. Back to TopIs MRI safe?There are no known biological side affects from MRI and MRI does not use ionizing radiation. However, because of the strong magnetic field, some patients that have certain metallic implants, either from surgery or accidents, cannot undergo the examination. Therefore, you cannot have an MRI examination performed if you have any of the following:
You will be screened thoroughly as there are other conditions which may not allow you to be examined with MRI such as pregnancy or other types of metal in your body. Back to TopWill I have an injection during my MRI?In order to evaluate certain diseases or disorders some MRI scans do require the use of an intravenous (IV) contrast media. Your physician or the technologist will let you know if you will need a contrast injection for your particular study. The intravenous contrast media used with MRI is a safe paramagnetic agent that enhances or highlights particular areas of the body. Because you may receive a contrast injection, it is important that before the test you inform your physician and the technologist if you have ever had a reaction to a contrast agent or of any of the following:
Back to TopDo I have to have any blood tests before my MRI?If you are having a study that requires the use of intravenous contrast and you meet certain criteria, we require that a BUN and a creatinine blood test be performed at least twenty-four hours prior to the study or no longer than within six months prior to the study. This is necessary if you are sixty (60) years of age or older, if you are diabetic or have kidney disease. Your physician will order the blood tests and call us with your results. Back to TopAre there any special preparations or restrictions for a MRI study?Usually there is no special preparation before an MRI examination. However, call the facility at least twenty-four hours in advance of your scheduled appointment for any instructions. Back to TopWhat if I feel claustrophobic in the MRI scanner?Our facility uses one of the most patient friendly, high-field MRI systems available. The shorter length and wider openings (front and back) of the MRI system reduce the possibility of experiencing claustrophobia and allows larger patients to be imaged comfortably (weight limit 440 pounds). Although the scanner feels somewhat confining, most people can complete the examination without difficulty. Some people even fall asleep! Our technologists will assist you in relaxing and thinking calming thoughts before the scan. We will also thoroughly explain the procedure and what you can expect, which usually allays any anxiety you might have. The technologist will be able to see you and hear you throughout the entire examination.
Since the examination takes thirty to forty-five minutes to complete, it is important that you can lie still for this length of time to obtain the best pictures. However, the scan is divided into six to eight minute segments that you need to lie very still. In between these sessions (you will notice that the knocking sound has stopped) you will still need to stay in the same position on the table but you can move a little and stretch your arms and legs until the next segment begins. Again, the technologist will keep you informed when the pictures are being acquired and when you need to lie very still.
You may find it comforting to have a family member or friend sit in the scan room with you. Your family member or friend will also have to be screened for any contraindications to entering the scan room. (See the section above Is MRI safe.)
If you are nervous or concerned about having an MRI, you should discuss it with your physician. Your physician may prescribe a mild sedative that you can take before you have the examination. Please remember though, you will need someone to drive you to and from the study as you should not drive if you have taken a sedative. Back to TopWhat are the advantages of MRI compared to some of the other examinations like plain x-ray and CT?MRI uses a strong magnetic field, low frequency radiowaves and a computer to produce very clear pictures or images of internal organs and tissues. MRI does not use ionizing radiation. Because of its unique ability to differentiate soft tissues in the body it is typically ordered to evaluate disorders of the brain, spinal cord, nerves, musculoskeletal system and other vital organs. Physicians commonly order MRI to evaluate various lesions, tumors, spinal disk abnormalities, certain arterial and venous vascular anomalies, degenerative joint disorders and joint injuries and infection.
With CT, information about various body tissues is obtained using x-rays. The information is measured by electronic detectors, reconstructed into cross-sectional images (or pictures of internal body structures) by a computer and then transferred to film or a CD. Because of its unique ability to show tissue density it is typically ordered to evaluate bones, lungs, liver, kidneys, pelvis and abdomen. CT can also uniquely image a combination of bone, soft tissue and blood vessels. CT is much faster than MRI allowing exquisite pictures to be taken of body organs in motion such as the lungs, intestines, heart and blood flow in blood vessels. CT is commonly used to evaluate tumors in various body structures, a variety of diseases and to assess the extent and location of trauma.
Plain film x-ray uses a form of electromagnetic radiation to produce a two-dimensional image of the interior of the body. X-rays are emitted from a machine, pass through the body and are then detected on a film or a computer. Very dense structures such as bone block the x-rays and appear white on the film or computer image. Other structures that contain air, such as the lungs, will appear black on film. Soft tissues such as muscle, fat and fluid appear as shades of gray. Any metal object blocks most of the x-ay and will appear bright white. X-ray is most commonly ordered to evaluate various bone diseases, deformities and injuries and certain lung conditions. Back to TopHow long will the CT procedure take?Depending on the type of scan you are having, you can expect to be at the facility approximately one hour. We ask that you arrive at the center fifteen to thirty minutes before your appointment time to complete an insurance information form, a screening questionnaire related to the examination and consent forms. The technologist will discuss your history, the procedure and answer any questions you might have. If you are having study that requires the use of intravenous (IV) contrast, the technologist will start the IV line for the contrast injection. The examination usually takes from ten to thirty minutes. Back to TopWhat should I wear during my CT examination?Wear loose comfortable clothing without metal snaps or zippers however, you may be asked to change into a patient gown. Although a locker will be provided for your personal items, please do not bring valuables with you. Back to TopCan I take my regular medications the day of my CT scan?Generally you may take your regular medications. If you are receiving intravenous contrast and we have requested that you do not eat or drink anything for a few hours before your examination, you may take your regular medication with a small amount of water except in the following instances:
Back to TopIs CT safe?During a CT you are exposed to a small amount of radiation for a very short period of time. And, even though you are exposed to more radiation than, for example a plain x-ray, CT is considered a safe radiology procedure. CT produces images with exceptional clarity of even very small areas inside the body that are much more detailed than plain film x-ray. This allows physicians to evaluate disease with greater accuracy. However, because x-ray is used and an iodinated contrast media is administered for some CT examinations, it is important that you notify your physician and our technologist prior to scheduling your appointment if you have any of the conditions listed below.
Additionally you cannot have a Coronary CT Angiogram if you have any of the conditions listed below.
Back to TopWill I have an injection during my CT scan?In order to evaluate certain diseases or disorders some CT scans do require the use of an intravenous (IV) contrast media. Your physician or the technologist will let you know if you will need a contrast injection for your particular study.
Some CT examinations require the use of contrast media often referred to as “dye.” Contrast media are substances that are injected into a vein or given by mouth. These agents highlight or enhance particular areas in the body and assist the physician in evaluating certain structures.
The most common agent given by mouth is a barium sulfate suspension and is used with certain abdominal and gastrointestinal studies. Barium sulfate is a smooth, thick, milky substance with a slightly unpleasant (but not too bad) taste.
The intravenous contrast media used with all CT examinations contains iodine. Therefore, it is very important that you tell your physician and the imaging technologist if you have ever had an allergic reaction to iodine, shellfish or any contrast media and if you have diabetes or kidney problems. Intravenous contrast media is usually injected into a small vein in the arm. CTA and CCTA are among the CT examinations that require the use of intravenous contrast media. Back to TopDo I have to have any blood tests before my CT?If you are having a study that requires the use of intravenous contrast and you meet certain criteria, we require that a BUN and a creatinine blood test be performed at least twenty-four hours prior to the study or no longer than within six months prior to the study. This is necessary if you are sixty (60) years of age or older, if you are diabetic or have kidney disease. Your physician will order the blood tests and call us with your results. Back to TopAre there any special preparations or restrictions for a CT study?You should call the facility at least twenty-four hours in advance of your scheduled appointment for any instructions. As with all CT that requires the use of intravenous contrast:
Additional Special Instructions for Coronary CT Angiogram
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