Patient Pathway
Imaging Before Your Specialist Appointment
Your specialist appointment is weeks away. Rather than arriving empty-handed and waiting even longer for a follow-up imaging order, get your imaging done first — and arrive prepared.
Get Pre-Specialist Imaging Order — $40Orders issued only when medically appropriate. Not for emergency symptoms.
The Specialist Appointment Problem
Here's a frustratingly common patient experience:
You call your PCP about back pain, knee pain, or neurological symptoms. The next available appointment is in 3 weeks.
PCP appointment. They refer you to an orthopedist or neurologist. Next available specialist appointment: 6 weeks.
Specialist appointment. They want imaging. Order issued. Next imaging appointment: 2–3 weeks.
You finally have imaging done. Results take another week. Total time: 3+ months for a diagnosis.
A different approach:
Get your imaging done before your specialist appointment. Arrive with results in hand. The specialist can begin their assessment immediately — potentially cutting weeks off your diagnostic timeline.
Who This Is For
Orthopedic appointment scheduled — want spine or joint MRI ready
Neurology appointment — want brain or cervical spine MRI results ready
Pain management appointment — want prior imaging to support your history
Rheumatology — want joint imaging to bring to first visit
Sports medicine — want MRI results before athletic injury evaluation
GI or urology specialist — want abdominal/pelvic imaging ready
Common Specialist-Imaging Combinations
Orthopedic Surgery
MRI of knee, shoulder, hip, or spine; X-ray for arthritis or fracture assessment
Note: imaging appropriateness depends on your individual clinical presentation and provider assessment.
Neurology / Neurosurgery
MRI brain or cervical/lumbar spine; brain MRI with or without contrast
Note: imaging appropriateness depends on your individual clinical presentation and provider assessment.
Pain Management
MRI lumbar/cervical spine to evaluate disc pathology and nerve compression
Note: imaging appropriateness depends on your individual clinical presentation and provider assessment.
Sports Medicine
MRI of affected joint (knee, shoulder, ankle, hip) for soft tissue evaluation
Note: imaging appropriateness depends on your individual clinical presentation and provider assessment.
Gastroenterology / GI
CT abdomen/pelvis or abdominal ultrasound for initial workup
Note: imaging appropriateness depends on your individual clinical presentation and provider assessment.
Important Considerations
- • The provider will assess whether pre-specialist imaging is appropriate given your symptoms and history. Orders are not automatic.
- • Confirm with your specialist that they will review imaging you bring — most will, but preferences vary.
- • Bring both the imaging CD/images AND the written radiology report to your appointment.
- • For emergency symptoms, go to the ER — do not use this service.
How the Process Works
Book the $40 consultation
Schedule a 10-minute virtual provider review. Describe your symptoms, the specialist you're seeing, and why you want imaging before your appointment.
Provider reviews appropriateness
The medical provider evaluates whether pre-specialist imaging is medically appropriate given your symptoms and history.
Order issued within 1 business day
If appropriate, your imaging order is sent to you digitally. It specifies the body region and imaging protocol.
Schedule imaging at your chosen facility
Bring your order to any imaging center. Get your results. Bring them to your specialist appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Arrive Prepared. Get Imaging First.
$40 provider review. Order within 1 business day when medically appropriate. Orders may be used at the patient's chosen facility if accepted by that facility.
Start Your Consultation — $40Related Resources
Disclaimer: Orders are issued only when medically appropriate. The $40 consultation fee does not include imaging center, lab, radiologist, contrast, insurance, or facility fees. Orders may be used at the patient's chosen facility if accepted by that facility.