If your doctor has ordered an MRI, CT scan, ultrasound or X-ray, scheduling it should be the easy part. At American Health Imaging, we handle the details for you, from checking your insurance and getting approvals to sending reminders before your visit.
Here’s how to schedule your imaging appointment, how long each step usually takes and what to expect from your doctor’s order to your results.
How To Schedule Your Imaging Appointment in 7 Steps
Step 1: Get an Order From Your Doctor
A doctor’s order, also called a referral, is required for medical imaging. It tells your imaging team which exam you need, which part of your body to scan and whether contrast is needed. Your insurance plan also requires it for coverage.
If your order names a hospital or another imaging center, you can still schedule with us. American Health Imaging can schedule your scan using that order. If you’re not sure which exam to ask for, learn how to talk to your doctor about imaging.
Step 2: Request Your Appointment
You can schedule with American Health Imaging in three ways:
- Wait for our call: When your doctor’s office sends your order directly to us, our team will call you to schedule.
- Request online: Fill out the short appointment request form. It takes just a couple of minutes, and our team will follow up to confirm a time.
- Call your nearest center: If you need an apppointment made on the same-day or next-day, call an AHI imaging center near you. You can find the phone number for an AHI center near you on our locations page. Call with your order in hand and we’ll review your order, collect your insurance information and find a location and time that work for you.
Step 3: We Verify Your Insurance and Get Approvals
Once your appointment is requested, our team verifies your insurance benefits and, when your plan requires it, submits a request for prior authorization. You don’t need to contact your insurance company yourself.
Some insurance plans require you to try another step first, such as an X-ray, ultrasound, medication or physical therapy, before they’ll approve an MRI or CT. If that happens, we’ll let you and your doctor know.
Step 4: Confirm and Pre-Register
After your appointment is booked, you’ll receive a text with a link to pre-register. Completing it ahead of time saves you time at check-in. You can also review our patient forms before your visit.
Step 5: Get Ready a Day or Two Before
A day or two before your appointment, our team will contact you to confirm what you’ll owe at your visit. You’ll also receive a text reminder 24 hours before your appointment with your imaging center’s address. Follow any prep instructions for your exam, such as fasting before certain contrast exams.
Step 6: Arrive for Your Appointment
Plan to arrive about 15 minutes early. Bring:
- A photo ID
- Your insurance card
- A list of your current medications
- Information about any implants or medical devices, if you’re having an MRI
Wear comfortable clothing without metal zippers, snaps or buttons. If you didn’t pre-register, you’ll complete a few forms on a tablet when you check in.
Step 7: Get Your Results
A board-certified, subspecialized radiologist reads your exam and sends a report to your doctor, who will review the results with you. You’ll also receive a Scanslated® report by text within 48 hours after your report is finalized. It uses plain language and diagrams to help you understand your results before your follow-up visit.
How Soon Can You Be Seen?
Same-day appointments are available, and extended and weekend hours are offered at select locations. How quickly you can be scanned usually depends on whether your insurance plan requires prior authorization for your exam.
If your plan doesn’t require prior authorization, or it’s already approved, you may be able to get in sooner. Digital X-ray is available at select centers, so call ahead to confirm which exams your nearest center offers.
Paying for Your Imaging Exam
American Health Imaging is in-network with 99% of major insurance plans, and our imaging costs up to 60% less than hospital imaging. If you don’t have insurance or have a high deductible, ask about our self-pay rates.
You can call your nearest center for a cost estimate before your appointment. If you need help paying, we also accept CareCredit, a health care credit card that offers financing options.
Scheduling for Personal Injury or Workers’ Comp Cases
If your scan is related to a personal injury case or a workers’ compensation claim, let us know when you request your appointment. The online request form asks about both, so our team can route your scan correctly.
Schedule Your Imaging Appointment Today
From your first call to your final results, American Health Imaging makes imaging simple. With same-day appointments, a 97% patient satisfaction rating and centers in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Texas and South Carolina, getting answers is easier than you might think.
Request an appointment online or find a location near you.