Diagnostic and advanced imaging services

Sometimes, your doctor needs to see beneath the surface to diagnose what’s going on. Diagnostic and advanced imaging services provide images of the inside of your body using a variety of different technologies and techniques. Your doctor uses these images to help diagnose or monitor health issues in tandem with other tests.

Different types of imaging services are used for different medical reasons. The most common types include:

• X-rays, which are the most common type of imaging performed. X-rays are images taken to look for things like broken bones or can be used to diagnose conditions such as pneumonia.
• CT (CAT) scans, are a more specialized type of X-ray used to create detailed images of internal organs, bones, soft tissues and blood vessels.These images can be used to look for things like blood clots, injuries to organs or bones or to look for internal bleeding.
• Ultrasounds (sonograms) use sound waves to create images of the inside of the body. They can be used to view different organs in the body such as the heart, liver, and gallbladder. Ultrasounds help diagnose unexplained pain, or to monitor a baby’s growth and development during pregnancy.
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans don’t use X-rays, but instead use a powerful magnetic field and radio waves to make images of the inside the body. MRI scans may be done to provide more information about a problem seen on an X-ray, ultrasound, or CT scan, as they capture clearer, more detailed pictures. MRI scans can also be used to evaluate the body for a variety of conditions, including tumors and diseases of the liver, heart, and bowel.
• Nuclear medicine scans (such a Position Emission Tomography (PET) scans, renal scinitigraphy, and thyroid scans), are tests that produce pictures of the inside of the body using small amounts of radioactive material. These scans are used to provide images of organs and areas of the body that cannot be seen well with X-rays. These pictures allow doctors to see how your organs are working in real time – valuable information when diagnosing many diseases, including cancer.

Imaging services can be performed at a radiology center or in a hospital setting. Where and when you receive imaging services will impact how much you pay for them, according to your plan’s benefits. Take a look at your Schedule of Benefits (opens in new tab) to see how much these services will cost.