Need an Order for CT Colonography or Virtual Colonoscopy?
Need a provider order before scheduling CT colonography or virtual colonoscopy? Diagnostic Orders Direct provides $40 virtual provider reviews for preventive diagnostic imaging order requests when medically appropriate.
Orders are not guaranteed. Issued only when medically appropriate per provider judgment.
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.
What Is CT Colonography?
CT colonography — also called virtual colonoscopy — is a CT-based imaging study that examines the colon and rectum for polyps and colorectal cancer. Unlike conventional colonoscopy, it does not require sedation and typically takes only 10–15 minutes. It uses low-dose CT imaging to create detailed pictures of the inside of the colon.
The procedure involves bowel preparation (similar to but often less extensive than conventional colonoscopy), gas or air insufflation to expand the colon for imaging, and sometimes oral contrast tagging agents. Facility-specific protocols vary — always follow your imaging facility's exact preparation instructions.
CT colonography is listed by the USPSTF as one recommended colorectal cancer screening strategy for eligible average-risk adults, typically every 5 years. Medicare covers CT colonography screening as a Part B preventive service when ordered by a qualified provider, subject to eligibility and frequency rules.
Who This Is For
Adults 45–75 seeking colorectal cancer screening
Self-pay patients who found a cash-pay imaging facility
Patients avoiding sedation or conventional colonoscopy
Patients on a GI waitlist wanting to start screening
Executive health and preventive screening patients
Patients whose imaging center requires an order before scheduling
What DOD Does Not Do
- ✕Does not perform CT colonography or imaging
- ✕Does not interpret imaging results
- ✕Does not guarantee orders will be issued
- ✕Does not schedule exams at imaging facilities
- ✕Does not replace gastroenterology care
- ✕Does not replace primary care
- ✕Does not provide emergency evaluation
- ✕Does not remove polyps or perform biopsies
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.