Frequently Asked Questions
- Do I need a referral from a physician to schedule an MRI?
- Do I need to do anything special to prepare for the exam?
- How long will my appointment last?
- What is MRI?
- Who should not have an MRI?
- Will I receive two separate billings for this exam?
- How do I make an appointment?
- How is billing handled?
- What insurance carriers do you accept?
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1. Yes. You do need to be referred by a physician. This is required whether an insurance company is providing payment or whether you are paying out of pocket.
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2. Because of the strong magnetic field generated by our equipment, patients are not allowed to wear anything metallic during the exam. This includes watches, jewelry, and anything else containing metal.
In addition, because some cosmetics contain metals, we ask that you not wear make-up if you are scheduled for a head or neck study.
PIC provides pants or gowns to change into and a locker where you can securely store your belongings. If you prefer to wear your own clothing during the exam, please wear metallic-free attire such as sweat pants.
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3. We ask that you allow approximately one hour for your appointment. This includes time for registering, changing clothes, and being positioned on the exam table. The actual MRI takes only 20-30 minutes.
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4. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a painless, non-invasive technique that generates high-resolution images of the inside of your body. Used since the late 1970s, MRI provides more effective scans than any other form of imaging.
MRI supplies superior pictures of bones, muscles, tendons, cartilage, nerves, blood flow, and other soft tissue structures. These detailed images allow doctors to rapidly diagnose injuries and other conditions, so that you can receive treatment as quickly as possible.
Pacific Imaging Center features a state-of-the-art MRI scanner that delivers the finest service to our patients and referring physicians. The GE 1.5 Tesla EchoSpeed Plus MRI System provides some of the strongest and fastest gradients of any MRI scanner on the market.
What this means for you is optimal precision in the shortest possible time. In addition, our short-bore, whole-body imaging system is designed with open, flared ends to ensure patient comfort.
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5. In most cases, people who have undergone knee, hip, or shoulder joint replacements are able to be scanned.
Because of the strong magnetic field and radio frequencies associated with our equipment, people with pacemakers, metallic implants, or any other metal objects should not have an MRI without prior approval from their physician. Also, some brain aneurysm clips, heart stents and implanted pumps may not be MRI-safe.
Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns. Our office staff would be happy to look up details about your device and/or call the manufacturer to determine if it is MRI-safe.
MRI Preparation: Used since the late 1970s, MRI provides more effective scans that any other form of imaging. MRI supplies pictures of bones, muscle tissue, and blood flow. These detailed images allow doctors to rapidly diagnose injuries and other conditions, so that you can receive treatment as quickly as possible.
Pacific Imaging Center features a state-of-the-art MRI scanner that delivers the finest service to our patients and referring physicians. The GE 1.5 Tesla EchoSpeed Plus MRI System provides some of the strongest and fastest gradients of any MRI scanner on the market. What this means for you is optimal precision in the shortest possible time. In addition, our short-bore, whole-body imaging system is designed with open, flared ends to ensure patient comfort.
You should allow approximately one hour for your appointment. This includes time for registering, changing clothes, and being positioned on the exam table. The actual MRI takes only 20-30 minutes.
On occasion, your physician may ask us to administer a small amount of IV contrast.
If we are scanning your abdomen, it is important that you refrain from eating or drinking for at least six hours prior to your exam. However, please continue to take all prescribed medications as usual.
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6. No. At Pacific Imaging Center, our goal is to make the exam as affordable as possible for our patients.
How do we accomplish this? Unlike the majority of our competitors, PIC pays the radiologist’s interpretation fee for you.
Please note, however, that if you are a Medicare patient, the state requires that the billing be done separately by each of the facilities involved in the exam.
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7. Appointments: All patients must have a physician referral before we can schedule an appointment. Please contact your doctor for additional information.
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8. Billing: All billing for Pacific Imaging Center is handled by Longview Orthopedic Associates. If you have questions, please contact them at 360.501.3400.
At Pacific Imaging Center, our goal is to make the exam as affordable as possible for our patients. As a result, in most cases, you will not receive two billings for your exam. Unlike the majority of our competitors, PIC pays the radiologist’s interpretation fee for you. Please note, however, that if you are a Medicare patient, the state requires that the billing be done separately by each of the facilities involved in the exam.
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9. Insurance: Pacific Imaging Center is contracted with following insurance companies. If your insurance provider is not listed below, please contact us. We will call the company to determine if your MRI is covered.
- Care Oregon
- Community Health Plan of Washington
- Dept. of Labor and Industries
- DSHS
- First Choice
- Great West
- HealthNet
- Kaiser
- Medicare
- Molina
- OMAP (Oregon Medicaid)
- Pacificare
- PacificSource
- Premera Blue Cross
- Providence
- Railroad Medicare
- Regence Blue Cross/Blue Shield – Washington and Oregon
- Secure Horizons – Oregon
- Tricare/TriWest (Champus)
- Uniform Medical
- US Dept. of Labor
- Miscellaneous insurances
Please be aware that most insurance companies need prior authorization for MRIs. With our patients’ financial interest in mind, we ask that authorization be provided prior to the appointment. You may need the following information when you contact your insurance provider:
- Tax ID #20-2707510 – Longview Orthopedic Associates
- Procedure code
- Diagnosis code