The process of visiting and referring to healthcare providers has become complicated as a result of many insurance and payor requirements. In addition, many radiology procedures involve specific preparation and/or precautionary procedures. To simplify the process for you and your patients, R.I.A. wishes to inform and advise you of the following important preparation and policy information.

In Advance of Your Patient's Visit

Items Patients Must Bring - Patients must have the following items with them at the time of their visit. Failure to bring these items may result in a need to reschedule their imaging study.

• Your written referral order(s). We must have a signed prescription slip and/or authorization form required by your patient's insurance company.
• Patient's insurance card and any copayment due so that we may submit their insurance claim on their behalf.
• Workers' compensation claim or automobile insurance information, if relevant.
• All related imaging studies performed elsewhere. For example, prior mammograms (very important), MRI's, x-rays, CT's, sonograms, or other imaging studies. These films and reports allow our radiologist to make comparisons that are necessary for the best interpretation of the new studies.
• The name and address of any other physician who should receive the report of your patient's examination.

X-Rays and Pregnancy -  For women of child bearing age(12-50), all x-ray and CT exams of the abdomen, pelvis and proximal femurs, and all Nuclear Medicine exams are to be scheduled between day one and day fourteen following the start of the menstrual cycle, unless the chance of pregnancy can be excluded, i.e., hysterectomy, tubal ligation, use of birthcontrol pills, or other birth control devices.

Preparation Instructions - Many exams require specific preparation prior to arrival at the Center. Please urge your patient to follow instructions carefully to ensure that imaging studies may be performed as scheduled.Preparation instruction pamphlets are available free of charge for your office and your patients. Please send your request for preparation instruction pamphlets by facsimile to (301) 856-6722, Attn: Marketing Department if you need to have your stock replenished.

Scheduled Appointment Times - We make every effort to honor scheduled appointment times. Therefore, it is important for your patient to arrive at our Center on time. Failure to arrive on time may result in a need to reschedule your patient's imaging study. To help us avoid service delays, please urge your patients to arrive at their scheduled appointment time or to telephone us in advance if they need to cancel or reschedule their appointment.

Childcare During Testing - Unfortunately, we cannot routinely supervise children during your patient's imaging study. We believe that your patient is best served when we provide 100% of our attention on them directly. We encourage your patients to make childcare arrangements or to bring a responsible person with them to supervise their children.

Reporting of Results - R.I.A. strives to make results of imaging studies available within 24 hours. If you need results provided by fax, or more quickly, please let us know. Films are also available as needed. Please let us know how we can best meet your needs for reporting of results.

R.I.A. staff members are available to accommodate special needs and requests. Please notify us of any questions you may have and let us know how we may better serve your needs.