Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

I'm planning to undergo a radiologic procedure...

How can I find an imaging center in my area that can perform this procedure?
You might try searching in the database of ACR-accredited facilities.

Is it possible to have a procedure performed without a referring physician and if so, where can I find an imaging center that provides this service?
There are imaging centers that will perform certain procedures—such as whole-body imaging, coronary calcium scoring, and virtual colonoscopy—without a referring physician. Note that such elective screening may not be covered by insurance or Medicare and in some states, such as Texas, all radiologic procedures must be ordered by a licensed referring physician, podiatrist, or chiropractor. RadiologyInfo.org does not provide referrals; however, a state or local chapter of the American College of Radiology (ACR) may be able to assist you in finding an imaging facility—see ACR Chapter Websites. You can search for ACR-accredited imaging facilities in the ACR-accredited facilities database.

I've searched your site but can't find information about a particular procedure.
RadiologyInfo.org currently describes many of the most common radiology procedures but it does not describe all procedures. New procedures will be added and current procedures will be updated as we continue to develop the site. Also, many procedures have more than one name, so you might try checking our "Article Index A to Z" page.

I have a question about my imaging options.
RadiologyInfo.org does not give individual medical advice or opinion. We recommend that you ask your doctor or health services provider about your imaging options.

I read your information about my procedure or therapy, but I still have unanswered questions or concerns.
In this case we recommend that you consult with your physician or ask your health services provider. You might also try inquiring at some of the radiology organizations listed on our Radiology Resources page to see if they can help.

I need information about costs or insurance coverage.

This website does not provide cost information. The costs for specific medical imaging tests, treatments and procedures may vary by geographic region. Discuss the fees associated with your prescribed procedure with your doctor, the medical facility staff and/or your insurance provider to get a better understanding of the possible charges you will incur.

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I've already had a radiologic procedure...

I have a question about the results of my examination.
RadiologyInfo.org does not give individual medical advice or opinion. We recommend that you ask your doctor or health services provider about the results of your examination.

I’m trying to understand my radiology report.
You can find links to information about reading and understanding radiology reports in the Radiology and You section.

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I want to link to, or copy information from, RadiologyInfo.org…

Can our medical group or imaging facility duplicate the RadiologyInfo.org printable handouts for distribution to our patients?

Yes, non-commercial reproduction and distribution of the handouts is permitted; however, we recommend that you return frequently to RadiologyInfo.org to check for updates to the material. To ensure that you have the latest information, check that the date printed on the Handouts matches the "date last modified" on the download page.

You can also download a free 8 ½'' x 11'' RadiologyInfo.org promotional flier that you may print and distribute to patients. Download either the standard flier or the customizable flier which has a space for adding your logo or contact information. Several file formats are available. Please see the RadiologyInfo.org Physician Resources page for details.

May we copy text photos or images found on RadiologyInfo

No, we do not allow the text, photographs or radiological images found on RadiologyInfo.org to be copied; however, we do encourage medical and educational websites to link to RadiologyInfo.org. Linking will help us ensure that the patient is receiving the latest information available.

May we link our medical or educational website to RadiologyInfo.org?

Yes, we encourage medical and educational websites to link to RadiologyInfo.org. To accommodate linking, we offer a selection of RadiologyInfo.org logos.

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I'm interested in becoming a Radiologist…

What are the educational requirements?

Radiologists are physicians, so you will need to receive an undergraduate degree (Bachelor of Science, for example) and then attend medical school to get an M.D. You will then need to pass a licensing examination, and complete at least 4 years of graduate medical education (residency).

Following are some reference books on how to get into medical school. They books may be available at a local public library or can be purchased from many book stores:

• The AAMC Official Guide to Medical School Admissions
• Barron's Guide to Medical and Dental Schools
• Medical School Admissions : The Insider's Guide

Some medical schools have pre-med programs for undergraduates. Knowing the requirements for medical school is important when choosing an undergraduate school.

Where can I find a list of medical schools?

Try searching online at sites like:

Association of American Medical Colleges
Liaison Committee on Medical Education

How much money does a Radiologist earn?

Refer to the Physicians and Surgeons section in the online Occupational Outlook Handbook from the U.S. Dept. of Labor.

Can you direct me to other sources of information for medical students?

The American Board of Radiology (ABR)

American Association of Physicists in Medicine

If you're interested in a radiologic subspecialty, you might wish to contact a related organization. Links to several radiologic organization websites can be found on our Radiology Resources page.

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I'm interested in becoming a Radiologic Technologist…

How much money does a Radiologic Technologist earn?

Refer to the Radiologic and MRI Technologists section in the online Occupational Outlook Handbook from the U.S. Dept. of Labor.

What are some other sources of information for Radiologic Technologist students?

American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) Careers in Radiologic Technology Portal

American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT)

What are the educational requirements?

Refer to the Radiologic Technologists and Technicians section in the online Occupational Outlook Handbook from the U.S. Dept. of Labor.

Where can I find a list of schools offering Technologist programs?

You might try searching for Radiologic Technologist programs in some of your favorite online search engines such as Google or at the ARRT database for recognized educational programs.

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I have additional physics or safety questions…

For questions about the physics of radiology equipment or questions about radiation safety not found in the Safety section, the following organizations may be able to assist:

American Association of Physicists in Medicine

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I want to submit feedback about this website…

I want to submit a comment about RadiologyInfo.org

We are always looking for ways to improve RadiologyInfo.org and welcome your feedback. Please submit any comments or suggestions via the form on our Contact Us page.

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