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About Online ct scan referral

Online CT scan referrals from Sesame

A Computed Tomography (CT) scan, also known as a CT scan, is a diagnostic medical test that uses x-rays and computer processing to create detailed images of the inside of the body.

Providers on Sesame who offer video diagnostic imaging consults can give you a referral for imaging near you. Imaging consults are quick and convenient visits that help determine what type of scan is right for you. If the provider determines that you need a CT scan, they will write you a referral that you can send to your insurer and a imaging center near you.

If you are uninsured, call your local imaging center to see if they require a referral. If they don't, you can book a visit through them. If they do, providers on Sesame can write a referral for you.

How CT scan referrals on Sesame work

An online CT scan referral appointment on Sesame allows you the opportunity to speak with a provider about any concerns you have that may require imaging. Providers will talk through your symptoms and worries with you. They may also ask about your medical history.

If they determine that medical imaging is required to diagnose your symptoms, they will write a referral for you to get the appropriate scan or study. You can use this referral to book a visit at an imaging center near you. This referral will also help qualify your imaging for insurance coverage.

Note that an online CT scan referral visit is not the same thing as booking an imaging appointment. You will not get diagnostic imaging during your referral visit.

Why you should get a referral

CT scans are a vital part of diagnosing health conditions that occur within the body.

Most insurance companies require CT scan referrals from a licensed healthcare provider. Some imaging labs also require a referral before you can book an appointment. A referral validates the scan's necessity for the patient's health. If you're insured, a referral helps ensure that some or all of your imaging is covered. If you're not insured, a referral can be used to book an appointment.

Getting a referral in-person can be tricky, as some primary care providers require you to book an appointment (even if it's just for a referral) weeks in advance.

Online CT scan referrals on Sesame let you talk to a healthcare provider right away. No need to book an appointment weeks out. Talk to a provider and get your referral within the day, if necessary.

Conditions you can get a referral for

CT scans are noninvasive diagnostic tools used by healthcare providers to get a look inside the body without cutting it open. These scans are used to diagnose a wide range of conditions.

Healthcare providers may use a CT scan to check for conditions such as:

Bone and Muscle Disorders: CT scans can identify fractures, tumors, or infections in the bones. They can also measure bone density for detecting osteoporosis.

Cancers: CT scans are often used to detect various types of cancers by showing the size, location, and extent of the tumor. They are also used in planning radiation therapy, guiding biopsies and surgeries, and monitoring response to cancer treatment.

Heart Disease: CT scans can detect calcium deposits in coronary arteries that can narrow the arteries and increase the risk of heart attack. They can also be used to evaluate the results of coronary artery bypass grafting and other cardiac surgeries.

Lung Conditions: CT scans can detect conditions like pneumonia, tuberculosis, emphysema, interstitial lung diseases, and lung cancer.

Vascular Diseases: CT scans can identify diseases and conditions like pulmonary embolism (clots in lung arteries), aortic aneurysms, and narrowing or occlusion of blood vessels.

Trauma: CT scans are often performed in emergency situations when damage to organs like the liver, spleen, kidneys, or other internal organs is suspected after an injury or trauma.

Infectious Diseases, Inflammatory Conditions and Other Internal Disorders: CT can be helpful in diagnosing pancreatitis, appendicitis, diverticulitis, abscesses and other inflammatory or infectious conditions. It can also visualize all parts of the body, across all types of tissues, and can be used to determine the cause of unexplained pain, dizziness or shortness of breath.

Neurological Conditions: CT scans can be used to quickly visualize strokes, brain injuries, and skull fractures, as well as to detect bleeding in the brain (especially in emergency situations).

Symptoms of conditions like these may not be detected during a physical examination. Because of this, CT scans are critical tools in detecting and diagnosing potentially life-threatening health conditions.

Note that this is not a complete list of all medical conditions that a CT scan can be used to diagnose. The decision to write a referral for diagnostic imaging is at the discretion of the healthcare provider. Even if your condition is not listed above, you may still receive a referral for it during an online CT scan referral visit on Sesame.

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Carlo Oller, MD

Frequently asked questions about online CT referrals through Sesame

An CT referral is a formal request made by a healthcare provider for a patient to have a Computed Tomography (CT) scan. This referral is often made by a primary care physician, but it can also come from other specialists. Any provider on Sesame who offers video diagnostic imaging referral consults is able to provide you with an CT referral if it’s deemed medically necessary.

The majority of insurance companies require CT referrals to confirm that a CT scan is necessary for the patient's health and wellness, so it is likely that you will need to send the referral to your insurer for approval before scheduling a CT with a medical imaging facility.

If you have received a CT referral through Sesame, you can send your referral to the medical imaging facility and book your CT. After your CT scan has been conducted, the radiologist will send you a report with your results. If you’d like to discuss the results further, you can book a telehealth appointment with a Sesame provider who can speak with you about the results and propose a plan for treatment or further evaluation if necessary.

Most insurance plans require a referral in order to move forward with diagnostic imaging such as an MRI, CT, or X-Ray. If you have a health maintenance organization (HMO) plan or a point of service (POS) plan, it’s likely that you need a referral from a primary care physician. If you have insurance, it’s best to reach out to them and confirm that the CT will be covered before obtaining a referral.

If you do not have insurance and believe that you need a CT, contact a medical imaging facility near you to see if they require a referral - you may be able to book a CT without one. If the facility does require a referral, you can obtain one online through Sesame.

You can obtain a CT referral by meeting with a primary care provider either in-person or online to discuss your medical history and symptoms and determine whether or not a referral is necessary. Providers on Sesame offer same-day availability for online CT referral appointments - at a fraction of the cost of traditional care!

Once a radiologist at the imaging facility has initially read and interpreted your CT results, they will send a report back to you. If you have questions about the report and would like to discuss it further, you can book a telehealth appointment with any provider on Sesame to discuss your CT results and propose a plan for treatment or further evaluation if necessary.
While it is possible to get a CT without a referral, medical referrals are important because your insurance may deny coverage without one, and diagnostic imaging can be expensive if you’re paying out-of-pocket. Even though your insurance plan may not cover the entirety of your diagnostic imaging (and the amount that you pay for a CT scan will ultimately depend on how much of your deductible has been met), a referral may help to mitigate problems such as denied coverage from your insurer.
An online CT referral appointment on Sesame is typically 15 minutes, but times may vary from provider to provider. It will include an evaluation of your condition, and if deemed clinically appropriate, a referral for you to submit to your insurer.
Pricing for online CT referrals on Sesame varies from provider to provider. However, prices on Sesame are often up to 60% less than traditional care because Sesame does not work with insurance. This means that providers are able to offer care without third-party interference (insurance payouts, administration costs, etc.), which keeps pricing low and affordable for all. Case in point: the average cost of a Sesame visit in 2022 was $37.
While providers on Sesame are able to provide referrals for a number of diagnostic imaging services such as MRIs, CT scans and X-Rays, it's important to note that not all symptoms or conditions require a CT for diagnosis. Provider referral appointments are designed to evaluate your condition and determine whether or not a CT scan is necessary. Therefore, referrals are always at the discretion of your provider and are not guaranteed. If your appointment does not result in a referral, your appointment is non-refundable.
No, a CT referral does not include the interpretation of your CT scan. Once you receive your results from the imaging center, you can book a telehealth visit with a provider to interpret the results and develop a treatment plan, if appropriate.
Sesame video diagnostic imaging referral consults should be booked if you need to talk to a health care provider about a referral for an MRI, CT or X-Ray. Sesame providers are available for video diagnostic imaging referral consults in all 50 states. During the appointment, your clinician will assess your concerns, which may include a referral if deemed clinically necessary.
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