MRI Services

During the MRI, the unit will produce a large magnetic force, so it’s important to remove all metal jewelry and clothes without any metal buttons or fasteners. You may be required to wear a gown during your MRI.

Typically, an MRI takes between 20 and 30-minutes. Patients will lay down and be instructed to sit as still as possible or the duration of the scan.

All MRI scanners produce a humming noise throughout the scan, so patients will be offered earplugs to help minimize the sound of the machine.

Once completed, the images are reviewed by a board-certified musculoskeletal radiologist specifically trained to interpret MRI studies. The report will then be sent to the physician who originally ordered the MRI study. Typically, this process can take between 2-3 days and the report will be discussed during your next office visit.

Yes, an MRI is a safe and painless procedure, and there are no harmful side effects following an MRI.

Pre-Authorization, or Prior Authorization, is a medical review required by many insurance companies for certain services (like an MRI scan) before you receive them, to determine if those expenses they are eligible for payment by your health insurance plan.

Physicians and other health care providers must obtain this advance approval from your health plan before your MRI in order for you to qualify for benefit coverage. Without obtaining Prior Authorization, the patient is responsible for all MRI expenses.

And by obtaining Prior Authorization, we can help you understand if any of those MRI expenses may be your responsibility to pay.

Prior Authorization is a way for your health insurance company to control and manage costs by determining whether a doctor’s choice of care is the best decision cost-wise for the carrier.

Your physician must provide certain clinical information about your care and individual treatment plan. Then, an insurance carrier reviewer determines whether a doctor’s choice of care meets their specific “clinical guidelines” for the MRI we’re requesting.

We work hard to provide all required information during our first request to your insurance carrier for Authorization. If denied, we can exercise your right to try again and appeal the insurance carrier’s denial.

Many insurance companies review all clinical documents before finalizing their Authorization for your MRI. We may need to obtain other clinical information from another physician you’ve seen in the past to add to your records. We follow the directive of your insurance carrier, and sometimes this process can take several days, or even weeks.

Certain insurance plans may also require your Primary Care Physician (PCP) to obtain the Insurance Authorization for the MRI. We work diligently with all parties to ensure this process is completed as soon as possible.

Our MRI Scheduling department receives the MRI Order from your physician and begins working to obtain Insurance Authorization.

Once approved, we will contact you for scheduling the MRI scan as well as scheduling the follow-up appointment with your physician.

We’ll also be prepared to discuss your financial responsibility for the MRI scan.

You can reach our MRI Scheduling staff at 772-403-0231 if you have questions about your appointments.