FAQs
A list of frequently asked questions is provided for your convenience.
General Questions About Hoag and Our Imaging Services
Specific Questions About Ultrasound Exams
What is a radiologist?
A doctor who specializes in creating and interpreting pictures of areas inside the body. The pictures are produced with x-rays, sound waves, or other types of energy
Do I need a prescription from my doctor before I can see a radiologist physician?
Yes. A prescription from a physician is required.
Do I need a prescription from my doctor to schedule an exam?
Yes. A prescription from a physician is required.
How do I know how much my exam will cost?
You will usually incur two types of charges for nearly any radiology service. The first, called the technical fee, is from the hospital for performing the examination. The second, called the professional fee, is for the services of the radiologist for interpreting and reporting the imaging exam and/or completing the surgical part of any procedure (for example, an image guided biopsy).
Please call 949/764-5747 to obtain the standard charges for an imaging exam or procedure. If you are paying out-of-pocket, the hospital will extend a 35% discount for its portion of the charges, the radiologist group practice will usually extend a 20% discount on its component charge.
If you have an insurance plan, the standard charges will probably not apply; insurance carriers usually negotiate rates lower than standard and it is these lower rates that will be billed to the carrier and on which any copayment will be calculated. There are many hundreds of insurance plans; therefore it will be impossible to for the person giving you a quote to know the details of any one plan.
If using the standard rates as an approximation of your costs is not accurate enough, the person quoting the standard rate can give you the universal code (called a CPT-4 code) which is used by all insurance carriers to identify the service you will have. You can then contact your insurance company to get a more precise estimate of your costs with your particular plan.
For Medicare patients, Medicare publishes a payment schedule for both the technical and professional component. These are the maximum charges that Medicare will pay for any particular service. The patient's responsibility is based on these maximum payments for both the technical and professional components.
If you need additional information, please feel free to call 949/764-5747 for further assistance.
Is my insurance going to cover the costs?
It is your responsibility to be familiar with the coverage provided by your insurance plan. If you do not have an explanation of coverage, you should contact your insurance carrier to obtain one. If still in doubt, you may contact your insurance carrier about the coverage for any particular service. It will be helpful for you to have the universal code (CPT-4, as explained above) when discussing coverage with your insurance carrier. We will be happy to provide this code to you. Please call 949/764-5747 for assistance.
What is a pre-authorization and do I need it?
Pre-authorization is a process whereby an insurance carrier will review the circumstances under which your referring physician is ordering the requested service for medical necessity. Pre-authorization requirements are usually limited to more expensive testing and surgical services such as CT and MRI scans and some nuclear medicine services. Any type of surgical procedure usually requires pre-authorization. Medical necessity usually requires some type of sign or symptom associated with the condition to be evaluated. Any sort of screening is usually not covered, the principle exception being screening mammography done on a prescribed schedule.
It is your physician's responsibility to obtain pre-authorization as he/she is most familiar with your medical history and is best able to justify the need for the examination. Again, it is the patient's responsibility to know whether his/her insurance plan requires pre-authorization for a particular service
Where do I park for my radiology exam or procedure?
A parking map is available for download for your convenience.
Where do I register for my radiology exam or procedure?
Registration is available at the main registration area of the hospital, located in the Hoag Women’s Pavilion facility. A campus map is available for download for your convenience.
What should I do to prepare for my imaging study?
Please visit the Exam Procedures / Preparations section of the Website for details about the necessary preparation for your specific procedure.
Who do I call for prep questions?
If you have read about the necessary preparation for your specific procedure in the Exam Procedures/Preparations section of the Website and still have questions. Please contact the specific facility at which you will be obtaining your imaging study. For a list of all Hoag-affiliated imaging facilities, please see Contact Us.
How can I get a copy of my images or report?
Please visit the Request Images / CDs / Reports section of the Website for details about obtaining your imaging study or report.
Specific Questions About Ultrasound Exams
Are there any dietary restrictions for a thyroid biopsy?
No. There are no dietary restrictions for a thyroid biopsy.
Will I need someone to drive me home after my thyroid biopsy procedure?
No. Sedation is not required for this procedure.
Can I still have my pelvic ultrasound if I am menstruating?
It is preferred to have your ultrasound after your menses has ended.
May I use a camcorder, camera or camera phone during my obstetrical ultrasound?
Outside media sources are not permitted, but some pictures of your obstetrical ultrasound will be provided to you on paper or CD.
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