Need a Provider Order Before Scheduling a Heart Scan?
Many imaging facilities require a licensed provider order before scheduling cardiac CT, CAC scoring, CCTA, or coronary plaque analysis. Non-emergency patients may request a provider review through DOD while waiting for specialist access.
Not for emergency symptoms. Orders are not guaranteed. Issued only when medically appropriate.
Emergency Warning: Patients with chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting, stroke-like symptoms, severe weakness, new neurologic symptoms, severe allergic reaction, or symptoms concerning for a heart attack or emergency should call 911 or go to the emergency room. These pages are for non-emergency provider-review requests only.
The Common Blocker: No Order, No Scan
You want to schedule a preventive heart scan — a CAC score, CCTA, or coronary plaque analysis — but the imaging facility tells you that you need a provider order first. Your primary care doctor may not be available, may not be comfortable issuing the order, or you may not have a PCP at all.
You might also be waiting for a cardiology appointment and want to start the evaluation process sooner. For non-emergency patients, DOD provides an independent virtual provider review that can determine whether a cardiac imaging order is medically appropriate — without waiting for specialist access.
Non-emergency patients may request provider review while waiting for specialist access. DOD is not a replacement for cardiology care — it provides a focused order review for a specific diagnostic request.
What DOD Reviews
Whether the requested cardiac study is medically appropriate
Your cardiovascular risk factors (age, family history, cholesterol, blood pressure)
Current symptoms (if any) and clinical presentation
Prior cardiac evaluations, stress tests, or imaging
Current medications and medication history
Whether the study requires contrast (CCTA) or not (CAC score)
Safety considerations (kidney function, contrast allergy, heart rate)
State availability requirements
How It Works
Complete Intake
Submit a brief online intake with your symptoms, history, risk factors, and the study you are requesting.
Licensed Provider Review
A licensed provider reviews your request, medical history, symptoms, and relevant risk factors.
Order Issued If Appropriate
If medically appropriate, an order is issued within 1 business day. This is an independent clinical review — not a rubber stamp.
Order Sent To Your Facility
You may take the order to the imaging center or facility of your choice, subject to facility acceptance policies.
Your Facility of Choice: If an order is issued, it may be sent to the imaging center, lab, or diagnostic facility selected by the patient, subject to facility policies. DOD is not affiliated with any specific imaging facility.
DOD serves patients in 36 U.S. states including AZ, CO, CT, FL, MD, MA, NV, NY, OR, UT, WA, and more. Patients must be physically located in a supported state during the virtual visit. Check state availability →
Frequently Asked Questions
Disclaimer: Diagnostic Orders Direct is not an imaging center, laboratory, cardiology practice, radiology interpretation group, emergency service, or replacement for ongoing primary care or specialist care. Orders are not guaranteed. All requests are reviewed by licensed providers and are issued only when medically appropriate based on patient history, symptoms, risk factors, requested study, safety considerations, state availability, and provider judgment. Facility acceptance of any order is subject to the facility's policies.
Ready to Get Started?
$40 virtual provider review. Orders issued only when medically appropriate.
Orders are not guaranteed. Issued only when medically appropriate per provider judgment.