What to know before your study: scheduling and checking in at our imaging centers

Your healthcare provider has recommended a medical imaging study to get more insights into your health. What is next?

You likely have questions about scheduling, insurance, preparation, and what to expect during your appointment. We’re here to help.

At South Jersey Radiology, we’re committed to providing a seamless experience for every patient. Whether this is your first imaging study or you’ve had others before, understanding the process can make your visit smooth and stress-free. Here’s everything you need to know about scheduling your appointment and checking in at our imaging centers.

Scheduling your imaging appointment with South Jersey Radiology

Across our 16 imaging centers, we have developed the scheduling process to be simple and convenient, so you can make your appointments when it works best for you.

How do I schedule my imaging appointment online?

Our online self-scheduler, OpenDoctor, is available 24/7 allowing you to self-schedule your appointment with no log-in required.

Certain medical imaging studies, such as PET/CT or Angiograms, are not available to schedule online due to specific details and requirements needed before proceeding. The following studies are available to be scheduled online:

• MRI Scans
• CT/CAT Scans
• Screening Mammograms
• X-Rays
• Ultrasounds
• Bone Density (DEXA) Scans

Same-day and next-day appointments are oftentimes available at each of our centers, but cannot be made through our online self-scheduler.

Can I schedule my imaging appointment over the phone?

Yes, you can schedule your medical imaging study over the phone by calling (888) 909-7572 between the hours of 7:30 AM – 7:00 PM Monday through Friday. Our centralized scheduling team will work with you to find a time and location that fits your needs.

What information do I need to provide when scheduling?

When scheduling your appointment with us, having the right information by your side will ensure you find a time and location that works best for your situation. Here’s what you’ll need to provide:

• Imaging Referral Order: Also known as an imaging script, your healthcare provider will provide referral to us electronically or give you a physical copy to provide.
• Insurance Information: Be prepared to share your insurance details – including your plan name, member identification number, and group number – so we can verify your coverage and provide a good faith estimate.
• Contact Information: Provide your current phone number and email address so we can reach you with appointment confirmations, reminders, and additional updates. It is important to avoid using shared contact information in the event you need to adjust your access to our patient portal or online scheduler.
• Preferred Location & Time: Let us know which areas are most convenient for you, along with your preferred date and time for the appointment.
• Special Accommodations: If you require specific accommodations – such as wheelchair accessibility, language interpreter services, or equipment concerns – let us know during scheduling so we can make arrangements for your visit.

How will I know if you receive my healthcare provider’s imaging referral?

We will work with your healthcare provider to ensure your referral is received and processed before you arrive for your appointment.

To save time on making your appointment, we will reach out to you directly via text message to the phone number provided to inform you that your referral has been processed by us. From there, you simply select the link and set up your appointment.

When speaking with your healthcare provider about imaging, it is important to advocate for an option that works best for you.

If I do not have an appointment, can I still be seen?

There are many exams that need to be scheduled in advance, but walk-in availability for X-rays at select centers.

Same-day and next-day appointments are available, and can be confirmed by calling (888) 909-7572 from 7:30 AM – 7:00 PM Monday – Friday.

Preparing for your appointment

After your appointment is scheduled, you will receive an appointment text confirmation providing you with the details for your visit.

Can I fill out my check-in forms before I arrive?

To save time when checking in on the day of your appointment, you can fill out your forms at anytime by selecting “Patient Forms” underneath “Patient Resources” on our website.

Filling out forms electronically requires an account to be created for our online self-scheduler, OpenDoctor. Within this system, you can easily manage your appointment details regardless if scheduled online or over the phone, including your available forms.

Are there any special instructions to follow for my study?

Depending on the study being performed, you will have specific guidelines to follow before you arrive for your appointment. These guidelines will be provided at time of scheduling and can be accessed at anytime by viewing your appointment details in OpenDoctor.

Here are a few general guidelines to ensure a quick and easy visit with us:

• Please arrive at least 15 minutes before your appointment: It is important to arrive a tiny bit early to your appointment. At check-in, our team will re-verify the details of your appointment.
• Avoid wearing tight-fitting clothing and accessories containing metal: Wearing loose-fitting clothing not only helps you stay comfortable during you study, but ensures the clearest results are captured. Any accessories containing metal – such as jewelry, belts, buttons, and zippers – should not be worn as they can cause interference with the equipment used during your study. Some studies, will however, require you to change into a provided gown.
• Inform us of any specific medical condition or medications: Certain medical conditions or medication can influence how your body will react during a study. Let your referring provider know of any changes to ensure our staff has the most up to date medical history.
• If you take a prescribed mild sedative from your healthcare provider: Taking a mild sedative may help you be more comfortable during your visit, but it is important to do it in a safe manner. South Jersey Radiology recommends to organize transportation to and from your appointment with another individual if a sedative is taken.
• Provide contact information for any previous breast imaging providers: If you’ve had prior mammograms, breast ultrasounds, breast MRIs, or breast biopsies performed at an imaging center other than South Jersey Radiology, you will be asked to provide contact information for the center so we can obtain medical records before your records before your visit. Prior records help our board-certified, subspecialized radiologists identify any changes that have occurred over time.

Is there anything I should bring with me?

When you arrive, our team will re-verify details to ensure your time with us goes smoothly, before and after your appointment. It is important to bring your imaging referral, photo identification, insurance card, and a payment method for your cost share (i.e. co-pay, deductible) obligation.

If you bring small children to accompany you, it is important to have another adult with you to watch them during your study.

Will I receive reminders before my appointment?

Text reminders will be sent throughout the week prior to your appointment to confirm the details and complete any check-in forms outstanding.

Two days before your appointment, you’ll receive a reminder to confirm the date, and be provided the address of our imaging center where you are scheduled.

If you’d like to manage your appointments or complete any forms to save time on your visit, simply login to your OpenDoctor account and select your appointment.

After your appointment

At South Jersey Radiology, we provide fast and accurate imaging results to support your care.

One of our board-certified, subspecialized radiologists will interpret your images and develop a detailed report.

Will my healthcare provider receive my results?

Your healthcare provider who referred you for the imaging study will receive the detailed report and review it alongside your complete medical history.

On average, your healthcare provider should follow up with you in 5 – 7 days to review the report and determine next steps if needed.

If you would like other healthcare providers to receive your results, it is important to provide their full name and practice location when checking-in.

How can I view my imaging results?

Alongside sending your results to your healthcare provider, the results are available electronically on our patient portal. You can sign up for our patient portal in two different ways:

1. When Checking In: When you visit us for your appointment, our team will ask if you would like to be signed up for our online patient portal. Your account will be created and temporary credentials will be provided.
2. Online Self-Request: Outside of check-in, you can request access by visiting our patient portal and filling out our form. Your request will be reviewed by our team for approval. Once approved, an email will be sent with your username.

To pick up a copy of your images, you must give at least 48 hours for our team to prepare physical discs of your image and/or report. You can organize the pick-up by calling (888) 909-7572 Option 2 between 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Monday through Friday.

If I need follow-up imaging, does it matter where I go?

The choice of imaging center for follow-up studies can make a significant difference in the continuity and quality of your care.

At South Jersey Radiology (SJRA), we provide consistency and precision across all of our imaging centers, which is especially important for follow-up imaging. Here are some of the benefits of having your imaging results with a comprehensive provider:

• Access to Prior Studies: Having your imaging history with one provider allows for detailed, year-over-year comparisons to be developed, allowing for greater accuracy.
• Convenience and Comfort: Finding an imaging provider who is flexible and can accommodate your needs has a huge impact on your care. Your follow-up experience only becomes smoother as you become more familiar with our centers, staff, and processes.
• Imaging Consistency & Quality: Our state-of-the-art technology is accessible across our complete footprint and not only provides more comfort, but enhances the quality of results. Capturing the highest quality results ensures any subtle irregularities are identified quickly.
• Streamlined Communication: Keeping your follow-up imaging with the same provider simplifies communication between you and your team of specialists, letting you get the answers you need even faster.