About the Imaging Process
Understanding the referral process can reduce stress and cost
Be an informed patient and price-conscious consumer. Knowing your options gives you the power of choice, saving you time and money.
You see the provider
At your examination, you share your concerns with your provider.
The provider recommends imaging and signs an order
Your provider orders a radiology exam to help diagnose or treat your issue. Like they write a prescription for medication, they will write an order for the test.
Your test is scheduled
Your healthcare provider may recommend where to get your test and may even help schedule it. Keep in mind that imaging costs vary; hospital-owned facilities generally charge more than independent outpatient centers like ours, even for insured patients. You can take a signed order to any imaging center you prefer.
Your test is performed
Confirm your appointment. Arrive early. Follow the directions that are provided. Call the center with any questions.
Your test results are sent to your provider
Your test results are sent to your provider
What to Expect
Help ensure your exam goes smoothly
Order form
Unless you are seeing us for a screening mammogram, we will need an order from your referring provider before we can perform your exam. Your provider often sends this electronically but may give you a paper copy. Ask your provider how your order will be delivered.
Photo ID and insurance cards
We will ask to see a form of identification and your current insurance card(s).
Information from prior tests
Prior images and reports provide valuable context and help ensure the most accurate interpretation by the radiologist. Your referring provider will coordinate with our team to obtain these records. We may contact you if additional assistance is needed.
Additional questions to keep you safe
You may be asked about your medical history, including allergies, surgeries, and medications. It’s especially important to let us know if you have any implants, medical devices, or metal in your body. These details help our team choose the safest imaging approach for you.
Clothing and jewelry
You may be asked to change into scrubs and remove jewelry or metal objects. This is done to ensure your safety and to avoid interference with the imaging process.
Skilled technologists
Our licensed technologists and team members will guide you through each step of the exam, answer any questions, and ensure the highest standards of care are followed.
Supportive care
We will do our best to make you feel safe and comfortable during your exam, starting with warm blankets, pillows, and ear plugs. Let us know how else we can help.
Payment
We will ask for payment on the day of your exam, including deductibles, co-pays, and co-insurance. Scroll down to “Ways to Pay” for details.
Ways to Pay
Flexible and convenient payment options
Through our online portal
Quickly set up a secure account and pay online through our Patient Pay Portal. One-time or multiple payments can be scheduled with a debit or credit card.
In person
- Cash
- Check
- Debit or credit card
- Apple Pay or Google Pay
- Healthcare credit card, ex. CareCredit (for existing cardholders only)
By phone
Call Patient Account Services at 877.442.2989, and we will assist you with payment-by-phone. Please have your billing statement and payment method ready.
Financial Assistance
Help may be available
About the financial assistance program
Financial assistance is available for patients who receive medically necessary services and meet the eligibility requirements under the policy. If eligible for financial assistance, patients will receive a 100% discount or free care. The financial assistance program does not cover elective services.
Eligibility
To qualify for financial assistance, ALL of the following conditions must be met:
- The patient must be uninsured or, in certain circumstances, have limited insurance coverage.
- The patient must be unable to access other programs that would cover medical expenses.
- The patient’s annual family income must be no more than 300% of the current year Federal Poverty Guidelines.
- The patient must not have substantial cash assets.
- The patient must not have declined health insurance through an employer.
- The patient must not be ineligible for government sponsored coverage because of noncompliance with requirements.
- The service must be considered medically necessary (generally defined as urgent or emergent).
- The patient must reside within a 25-mile radius of the facility where services are rendered.
- The completed application and all supporting documentation must be submitted to the Patient Account Services department, during the applicable time period, for review and approval.
Required documentation
Please click on the link below to download the list of required documents, available in English or Spanish.
Financial Assistance – MedQuest
How to apply
There are several ways to apply.
- Visit this website Financial Assistance – MedQuest, download the list of required documents along with an application, and submit the application and documentation as directed.
- Call the toll-free Customer Service number at 877.442.2989.
- Call the toll-free Customer Service number on the front of your statement and request that a Financial Assistance Application be mailed at no charge.
- Email a request to charitycare@patientfinancialsvcs.com.
- Visit the facility where services were rendered.
Approval process
Once all requested documents are received, your application will be reviewed and an approval or denial letter will be mailed to you.
Your Financial Assistance Application and documentation must be updated every six months, or sooner if the patient’s income or other key circumstances change. Each visit within the six-month period is subject to be reviewed.
Exclusions
This policy does not apply to services rendered by independent physicians or practitioners that are not employed by Novant Health. This includes, but is not limited to, anesthesiologists, radiologists, and pathologists.
No individual who is eligible for financial assistance will be charged more than amounts generally billed for emergency or other medically necessary care to individuals who have insurance covering such care.
Interpretation and Translation
Nondiscrimination statement
Our facility complies with applicable federal laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. Florence MRI does not exclude people or treat them differently because of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.
We provide free aids and services to people with disabilities to communicate effectively with us, such as qualified sign language interpreters and written information in large print and other formats.
We also provide free language services to people whose primary language is not English, such as qualified interpreters and information written in other languages.
How to request interpretation services
If you need interpreter services, please call 843.292.0400.
If you believe we have not provided these services or that you have been discriminated against on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex, you can file a grievance with:
Section 1557 coordinator
3480 Preston Ridge Rd., Ste 600
Alpharetta, GA 30005
Telephone: 877.780.1378 Fax: 678.992.7228
You may also file a grievance by mail or in person at the facility where care was provided. If you need help filing a grievance, call 877.780.1378.
You may also file a civil rights complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights, electronically through the Office for Civil Rights Complaint Portal, available online at ocrportal.hhs.gov/ocr/portal/lobby.jsf, or by mail or phone at:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Ave. SW
Room 509F, HHH Building
Washington, D.C. 20201
800.368.1019, 800.537.7697 (TDD)
Complaint forms are available at hhs.gov/ocr/office/file/index.html.
Online translation disclaimer statement
Translation services on this website are provided via Google™ Translate, a free automated translation service that can translate text into different languages. This tool is for your convenience only, should not be considered exact, and may in some cases include incorrect language. No warranty of any kind is made as to the accuracy, correctness, or reliability of any information translated by Google™ Translate. Please know that when a translation is requested, you will be leaving the the Palmetto Imaging website and any person or entity who relies on these translation services does so at his or her own risk. If you have any questions about Google™ Translate, please click the following link: Google™ Translate FAQs.
Secure Communication
Encrypted email messages from Florence MRI
We take your safety and privacy seriously, when you’re in our facility and when we’re communicating with you online. Because we do not use a patient portal like other healthcare providers, email communications from us may arrive in your mailbox as secure, encrypted messages. Viewing the contents will take an extra step or two, but it’s the best way to protect your personal information. Here’s how it works.
Receive the email message
Look for the lock icon. This is our way of telling you the message is secure. Then click ‘READ THE MESSAGE.’
Follow the prompts
Sign in to unlock the contents of your message. To do that, use your Google credentials or request a one-time code.
View the message securely
If you request a one-time code, it will arrive separately. Enter the code and ‘CONTINUE’ to read and reply to the message.
If you have questions about our communications or how to access them, please call the center.