Need a Provider Order Before CT Colonography?
Many imaging facilities require a licensed provider order before scheduling CT colonography or virtual colonoscopy. 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.
Red-Flag Symptoms — Do Not Use This Routine Screening Workflow
If you have any of the following, seek appropriate primary care, gastroenterology, urgent care, or emergency evaluation rather than using a routine preventive screening order workflow:
- •Rectal bleeding or black/tarry stool
- •Unexplained weight loss
- •Iron-deficiency anemia or abnormal blood counts needing workup
- •Severe or worsening abdominal pain
- •Bowel obstruction symptoms, persistent vomiting, or inability to pass stool/gas
- •New major bowel habit change with systemic symptoms
- •Known inflammatory bowel disease flare or complex GI history
- •Prior colorectal cancer or high-risk hereditary cancer syndrome concern
- •Pregnancy or possible pregnancy (must be reviewed before CT imaging)
Patients with concerning symptoms should seek appropriate medical evaluation, not a routine preventive screening order. Call 911 for emergencies.
The Common Blocker: No Order, No Scan
You want to schedule a CT colonography — a virtual colonoscopy — for colorectal cancer screening. 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 gastroenterology appointment and want to start the screening process sooner. For non-emergency patients, DOD provides an independent virtual provider review that can determine whether a CT colonography 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 gastroenterology care — it provides a focused order review for a specific screening request.
What DOD Reviews
Whether CT colonography is medically appropriate for you
Your age and colorectal cancer screening history
Family history of colorectal cancer or polyps
Prior colonoscopy or CT colonography results
Current symptoms (if any) and clinical presentation
Risk factors (IBD, hereditary cancer syndromes, etc.)
Whether the requested study matches facility requirements
State availability requirements
How It Works
Complete Intake
Submit a brief online intake with your screening history, symptoms, risk factors, and the study you are requesting.
Provider Review
A licensed provider reviews your request, medical history, symptoms, and relevant risk factors by phone or video.
Medical Appropriateness Evaluation
The provider evaluates whether CT colonography is medically appropriate based on your history, risk, and facility requirements.
Order Sent To Chosen Facility If Issued
If an order is issued, it can be sent to the imaging 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.