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About Online mri referral

Online MRI referrals from Sesame

Magnetic resonance imaging (or MRI) is a non-invasive medical imaging technique that uses powerful magnetic fields and radio waves to take high-quality pictures of your organs and 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 an MRI, 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 MRI referrals on Sesame work

An online MRI 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 MRI 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

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

Most insurance companies require MRI 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 MRI 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

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a non-invasive imaging technology that uses a combination of a large magnet, radio waves and a computer to produce detailed pictures of the inside of your body. MRI scans can be used to diagnose a variety of conditions, since they offer excellent contrast between different types of soft tissue, which makes them especially useful for imaging the brain, muscles, heart, and cancers compared to other imaging methods. Here are a few examples of what MRI scans can be used to assess:

Brain and Spinal Cord: MRI is often the first line of treatment for imaging the body's nervous system. It can be used to diagnose conditions such as multiple sclerosis, brain tumors, stroke, certain chronic diseases of the nervous system, spinal cord injuries, and problems with the structure of the brain and spinal cord.

Tumors: MRI scans can be used to locate tumors throughout the body and determine whether they are benign or malignant. They are also used to measure the size and spread of cancers in the body.

Heart and Blood Vessels: An MRI can show damage caused by a heart attack or heart disease, and it can be used to diagnose diseases of the blood vessels, such as aneurysms or blockages. It can also evaluate the structure of the heart and aorta, where conditions such as congenital heart disease and aortic dissection can be seen.

Bones and Joints: MRI can be used to evaluate joint abnormalities caused by traumatic or repetitive injuries, such as torn ligaments and fractures. It's also useful in diagnosing conditions such as arthritis, bone infections, or bone tumors.

Breasts: While mammography is the primary imaging choice for screening for breast cancer, MRI is used as a supplemental tool for detecting breast cancer, especially in women who are at high risk due to family history or a gene mutation.

Liver and other Abdominal Organs: MRIs can be used to identify diseases and conditions of the liver, pancreas, kidneys, spleen, and certain conditions in the gastrointestinal tract.

Prostate: For men, MRIs can be used to examine the prostate for signs of cancer or other conditions.

Female Pelvic Organs: In women, MRI can evaluate conditions involving the uterus and ovaries.

Remember, the use of an MRI depends on the patient's specific circumstances and is often used in conjunction with other diagnostic tools. Always consult a medical professional to understand the most appropriate diagnostic approach for your health condition.

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Carlo Oller, MD

Frequently asked questions about online MRI referrals through Sesame

An MRI referral is a formal request made by a healthcare provider for a patient to have a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) 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 MRI referral if it’s deemed medically necessary.

The majority of insurance companies require MRI referrals to confirm that an MRI 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 an MRI with a medical imaging facility.

If you have received a MRI referral through Sesame, you can send your referral to the medical imaging facility and book your MRI. After your MRI 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 MRI will be covered before obtaining a referral.

However, if you do not have insurance, a referral is not required in order to book an MRI.

You can obtain an MRI 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 MRI referral appointments - at a fraction of the cost of traditional care!
Once a radiologist at the imaging facility has initially read and interpreted your MRI 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 MRI results and propose a plan for treatment or further evaluation if necessary.
An online MRI 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.
While it is possible to get an MRI 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 an MRI 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.
Pricing for online MRI referral 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 an MRI for diagnosis. Provider referral appointments are designed to evaluate your condition and determine whether or not an MRI 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, an MRI referral does not include the interpretation of your MRI. 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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