Radiology & Imaging Order Guides
Plain-language guides for patients navigating diagnostic imaging — provider orders, scheduling, self-pay options, facility workflows, insurance issues, and more.
Looking for educational content about specific scan types? Visit the Diagnostic Imaging Education Center →
Provider Orders, Referrals, and Scheduling
Do You Need an Imaging Order Before Scheduling?
Why most imaging centers require a provider order before they can schedule your scan.
What Should an Imaging Order Include?
The required elements of a valid provider order — exam type, body part, clinical indication, and more.
Can You Schedule an MRI Without a Referral?
Understanding the difference between an imaging order, a referral, and a prescription.
Imaging Order vs. Referral vs. Prescription
These three terms are often confused — here is what each one means.
Can a Telehealth Provider Order Imaging?
How telehealth and virtual provider orders work for diagnostic imaging.
RadiologyAssist & Provider Orders
Facilities using RadiologyAssist and other self-scheduling platforms may still require a provider order.
Self-Pay and No Insurance
Self-Pay Imaging Guide
How to get an imaging order when you are paying out of pocket or without insurance.
No Insurance — Imaging Order Consultation
What patients without insurance should know before scheduling diagnostic imaging.
No Primary Care Doctor — Imaging Order
You can request a diagnostic order review without having a PCP — here is how.
Lower-Cost Imaging Order Consultation
Finding affordable imaging options and getting the provider order you need.
Condition-Specific Pathways
Back Pain Imaging Order Review
When back pain patients seek imaging — what to know before scheduling.
Sports Injury Imaging Order
MRI and imaging orders for sports-related injuries and orthopedic concerns.
Running Injury Imaging Order
Imaging order guidance for runners dealing with knee, foot, ankle, or hip concerns.
Delayed Injury Imaging Order
When a previous injury is still causing problems and you need imaging.
Imaging Before a Specialist Appointment
Getting imaging done before you see an orthopedist, neurologist, or other specialist.
Imaging After Urgent Care
What to do when urgent care orders or recommends follow-up imaging.
Results, Insurance, and Follow-Up
Insurance Denied MRI — Next Steps
When your insurance denies an MRI order — options and what to do next.
Second Provider Review for Imaging
Getting a second opinion or a new provider review for an imaging order.
MRI Results After an Online Order
Where MRI results go and who interprets them after your scan is complete.
MRI With Contrast vs. Without
Understanding the difference between contrast and non-contrast MRI protocols.
Comparing Your Options
Facility Workflows & Order Delivery
Online Doctor for Imaging Order
How to use an online doctor to get a diagnostic imaging order reviewed and issued.
Telehealth Imaging Referral Guide
How telehealth referrals and provider orders work for diagnostic imaging.
Imaging Center Rejected My Order — Next Steps
What to do when an imaging center rejects your provider order.
Where Do Imaging Results Go After an Online Order?
How imaging results are delivered and interpreted after a provider order.
Ready to Get a Provider Review?
$40 virtual provider review. Orders issued only when medically appropriate. Facility acceptance varies.
Start Virtual Consult — $40Not for emergencies. Orders not guaranteed. Facility acceptance varies.
These guides are for educational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice. Diagnostic Orders Direct is not an imaging center, laboratory, radiology facility, or emergency service.