Compare 53 radiologists in California City, CA. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
For imaging studies, you will check in at the radiology department, change into a gown if needed, and the technologist will perform the scan. The radiologist reads the images afterward and sends a report to your doctor, usually within 24 to 48 hours. For interventional procedures, you will meet the radiologist beforehand, discuss the procedure and risks, and receive sedation or local anesthesia. Afterward, you will be monitored briefly before going home.
You typically do not schedule a visit with a radiologist directly. Your treating physician orders imaging, and a radiologist interprets it. However, you may see an interventional radiologist for image-guided biopsies, tumor ablation, angioplasty, embolization, or drain placement. For screening mammography, you interact with the breast imaging radiologist through the mammography center.
X-ray: $50-300 · CT scan: $300-3,000 · MRI: $500-3,500 · Mammogram: $0 (preventive) or $100-500
Imaging is ordered by your treating physician and covered under your medical insurance. Many studies require prior authorization, especially MRI, CT, and PET scans. The imaging facility may bill separately from the radiologist who reads the study. Verify both are in-network. Outpatient imaging centers often cost significantly less than hospital-based imaging for the same study.