Compare 4 nuclear medicine physicians in Santa Margarita, CA. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
For a diagnostic scan, a technologist injects a small amount of radioactive tracer into your vein. After a waiting period (which varies by study), you lie on a scanning table while a camera detects the tracer's distribution in your body. The scan itself is painless. The nuclear medicine physician interprets the images and sends a report to your doctor. Radiation exposure is low and the tracer is eliminated naturally within hours to days.
You typically do not see a nuclear medicine physician directly. Your treating doctor orders nuclear medicine studies when needed. Common reasons include cancer staging (PET/CT), evaluating thyroid function, assessing blood flow to the heart (cardiac stress test), detecting bone metastases or fractures (bone scan), and evaluating kidney function. For radioactive iodine therapy for thyroid disease, you will consult with a nuclear medicine or endocrinology specialist.
PET/CT scan: $1,000-6,000 · Bone scan: $500-2,000 · Thyroid uptake scan: $200-1,000 · Cardiac nuclear stress test: $500-3,000
Nuclear medicine studies are covered under diagnostic imaging benefits. PET/CT scans almost always require prior authorization from your insurance company. Studies must be deemed medically necessary. Some insurers restrict PET scan coverage to specific cancer types or clinical scenarios. Verify authorization before the study to avoid unexpected costs.