Get an X-ray referral online

Affordable, hassle-free video appointment for a X-ray referral from quality healthcare providers on your schedule. No membership fees, no surprise bills, no insurance needed.

Self-pay pricing
No surprise bills
Short wait times
FSA/HSA Eligible

Best online doctors and providers for an X-ray referral

Sort by

About Online x ray referral

Online X-ray referrals from Sesame

An X-ray is a diagnostic medical tool that uses electromagnetic waves to capture images from inside 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 an X-ray, 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 X-ray referrals on Sesame work

An online X-ray 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 X-ray 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 an online x-ray referral from Sesame

X-ray studies are a vital part of diagnosing health conditions that occur within the body.

Most insurance companies require X-ray 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 X-ray 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

X-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation used in medicine to diagnose a wide range of conditions. An X-ray works by passing through the body and capturing an image based on the varying absorption rates of different tissues. Bones, being dense, absorb more X-rays and appear white on the images, making X-rays particularly useful for assessing bone-related conditions. Here are a few examples of what X-ray scans can be used to assess:

Bone Fractures and Injuries: X-rays are commonly used to identify breaks or cracks in bones. They can reveal the location, severity, and type of fracture.

Dental Issues: Dentists use X-rays to look for cavities, check the health of tooth roots, and monitor the status of developing teeth.

Chest and Lung Conditions: Chest X-rays can detect pneumonia, tuberculosis, lung cancer, and other conditions affecting the lungs or heart.

Abdominal Problems: They can help identify issues in the abdomen, such as intestinal blockages or certain tumors.

Joint Degeneration: X-rays are useful in diagnosing joint diseases like arthritis, showing changes in the spacing and condition of joints.

Cancer Detection: They can help in spotting various types of tumors and cancers, especially those involving bones or certain internal organs.

Infection Assessment: X-rays can sometimes show signs of infection in different areas of the body, such as the presence of an abscess.

Symptoms of conditions like these may not be detected during a physical examination. Because of this, X-ray studies 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 an X-ray 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 X-ray referral visit on Sesame.

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Carlo Oller, MD

Frequently asked questions about online x-ray referrals through Sesame

An X-ray referral is a formal written request made by a healthcare provider for a patient to have an X-ray scan. It can be provided via telehealth appointment or in person. These referrals are often made by a primary care physician, but can also come from other specialists. Any provider on Sesame who offers video diagnostic imaging referral consults is able to provide you with an online X-ray referral if it’s deemed medically necessary.

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

If you have received an online X-ray referral through Sesame, you can send your referral to the medical imaging facility and book your X-ray. After your X-ray 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.

X-ray results are typically read and interpreted by radiologists, medical doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating diseases and injuries using medical imaging techniques. Once a radiologist has initially read and interpreted your X-ray results, they’ll 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 X-ray 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 X-ray will be covered before obtaining a referral.

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

You can obtain an X-ray 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 X-ray referral appointments - at a fraction of the cost of traditional care!
While it is possible to get an X-ray 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 X-ray 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 X-ray 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 X-ray 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 an X-ray for diagnosis. Provider referral appointments are designed to evaluate your condition and determine whether or not an X-ray 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 X-ray referral does not include the interpretation of your X-ray. 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.
  1. Home
  2. Online x ray referral
Join our mailing list for exclusive promos, curated health content & more.
Give $10Refer a friend
Refer a friend
FacebookXLinkedIn
Sesame is accredited by Better Business BureauVerify LegitScript Approval
© 2025 Sesame, Inc. All rights reserved.