3 of the Best Reasons to Choose an Independent Medical Imaging Facility

Posted by Amitava Sarkar on August 4th, 2016

It’s normal to be concerned about an upcoming appointment for an MRI, a CT scan, an ultrasound or a digital x-ray. Although people have them every day – and you may have had them yourself in the past – they can prove nerve-wracking both because you may not like going through the process and because you’re frightened of what the specialists may find. However, you may not realize that you have options and that choosing to work with an independent medical imaging facility may actually address some of the things you dislike the most about getting your digital scan within the confines of a hospital system.

Most insurances are eager to work with independent facilities so long as you have a referral from your doctor or a specialist, so don’t let the fear that you can’t afford to work outside of your hospital system stop you. In fact, independent facilities are more likely to cost you less out of pocket. That’s just one of the many reasons why people seek diagnostic testing at a clinic that specializes in digital imaging. Before you let your doctor’s office set you up with an in-house radiology department, ask about a referral to a facility that’ll get you seen faster and in a way that’s more convenient for you.

It’s Fast

Sometimes you have to wait days or even weeks to get an appointment at a small, understaffed radiology department in a hospital. When you choose an independent facility that offers nothing but medical imaging, there are enough open time slots that you can get your test done as quickly as possible so your treatment can begin if necessary – and you can put the anxiety you feel about the test behind you. Plus, with convenient early morning and evening hours – as well as being open one day on the weekend – you won’t have to wait until you can take off work to make your appointment. The best facilities offer 24 hour turnaround time and STAT reports on demand.

It’s Affordable

Hospital radiology apartments have minimum charges they must adhere to because they follow a hospital system’s rules and guidelines. Independent facilities are free to come up with more competitive prices because they aren’t so restricted. Plus, because they’re able to see more patients, they don’t have to charge individuals as much to make up for the cost of purchasing, maintaining and operating their machines. Insurance companies actually love independent facilities when they’re properly accredited because they save money, too.

It’s Convenient

In addition to offering more hours and being open more days per week, independent facilities go the additional mile to make the process as convenient for their patients as possible. With transportation services within five miles of the facility, you won’t have to worry about how you’ll get to the appointment and back if you can’t transport yourself and friends and family are unable to come. With open MRI equipment, you won’t have to worry about feeling confined and claustrophobic in the machine. This is especially convenient for people with anxiety issues, for people who weigh more than is recommended for the enclosed machines, and for parents of children who have to undergo a scan and who may not be able to stay still. Not all hospitals have the open MRI equipment available.

Getting medical imaging can be scary – both because of the prospect of potentially bad results and the thought of undergoing the process itself. When you’re under the experts’ care, you’ll find the process much less taxing. Get faster, more accurate results for far less at with the digital imaging experts.

About the Author: Jennifer Weavil is a health care issues blogger and nurse in New Jersey. She recommends Middletown Imaging to anyone in need of medical imaging.

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Amitava Sarkar

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Amitava Sarkar
Joined: May 28th, 2015
Articles Posted: 48

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