RAYUS Radiology is one of the largest independent outpatient diagnostic imaging networks in the United States, offering MRI, CT, X-ray, ultrasound, mammography, PET/CT, and image-guided procedures at centers across states including Florida, Texas, Washington, Oregon, Utah, Missouri, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Virginia, Indiana, Maine, and California. This guide covers where to find a RAYUS Radiology location, what imaging services are available, how to book and prepare for an exam, how to use the patient portal, what your visit will look like, and how insurance and billing work.
Exam offerings, portal access, hours, and accepted insurance differ by individual center, since RAYUS operates as a network of locally managed facilities rather than a single standardized site.
Quick Facts
- Network size: Outpatient imaging centers across 13+ U.S. states, operating under the RAYUS Radiology name and affiliated brands like Insight Imaging
- Core services: MRI, CT, X-ray, ultrasound, mammography, PET/CT, nuclear medicine, and interventional/pain procedures
- Typical cost advantage: Self-pay imaging runs roughly 30–50% below comparable hospital-based imaging
- Scheduling: Handled locally by each center; there is no single national booking line
- Results access: Available through the patient portal or myExamAnswers.com, depending on which center you visited
Why Patients Choose RAYUS Radiology
Patients are typically referred to RAYUS for the same reasons many choose outpatient imaging centers over hospital radiology departments: cost, speed, and comfort.
Cost. Self-pay imaging typically costs 30–50% less than the same exam performed in a hospital setting, since outpatient centers carry lower overhead than hospital-based radiology departments.
Scheduling speed. Because appointments are booked directly through the local center rather than routed through a hospital system, wait times for routine exams are often shorter than hospital scheduling queues.
Subspecialized radiologist review. Radiologists work within subspecialty areas — such as neuroradiology, musculoskeletal imaging, or breast imaging — rather than reading every exam type generally, which supports more focused interpretation of complex studies.
Comfort-focused equipment. Many centers offer open and open-upright MRI options designed for patients who are claustrophobic, bariatric, or unable to lie flat due to pain, alongside standard high-field MRI for exams requiring maximum image detail.
Streamlined referrals. Centers can help initiate insurance pre-authorization on behalf of your referring physician and provide a price estimate before your exam, reducing back-and-forth between your doctor’s office and your insurer.
Read more: RAYUS Radiology
Finding a RAYUS Radiology Location
Use the Find a Center tool on the RAYUS website to search by city, state, or ZIP code and filter by the exam you need. Confirm your specific exam is offered at your chosen center before booking, since capabilities vary by location — not every center performs every exam type, such as breast MRI or PET/CT.
Each center’s page lists its address, phone and fax numbers, hours, and a way to request an appointment.
Imaging Services Offered
| Category | Exams Typically Available |
| MRI | 3T MRI, open MRI, open-upright MRI, cardiac MRI, prostate MRI, breast MRI, MRI elastography |
| CT | CT angiography, virtual colonoscopy, lung cancer screening CT, cardiac calcium scoring, CT enterography |
| Breast Imaging | 2D and 3D mammography, breast ultrasound, stereotactic and MRI-guided breast biopsy |
| Ultrasound | Abdominal, vascular screening (carotid, AAA), image-guided biopsy |
| X-ray & Nuclear Medicine | Standard X-ray, fluoroscopy, nuclear medicine, PET/CT for cancer staging and neurological evaluation |
| Interventional & Pain Care | Epidural and facet joint injections, vertebroplasty, biopsies, treatment for varicose veins, uterine fibroids, and peripheral artery disease |
MRI vs. CT vs. X-ray: Choosing the Right Exam
Your referring physician selects the exam based on what needs to be evaluated, but understanding the difference helps you know what to expect.
| Factor | MRI | CT | X-ray |
| How it works | Magnetic fields and radio waves | X-rays processed by computer into cross-sections | Single X-ray beam |
| Radiation | None | Low-dose radiation | Low-dose radiation |
| Best for | Soft tissue, brain, joints, ligaments | Bones, internal bleeding, rapid trauma assessment, lungs | Fractures, chest, bone density screening |
| Typical duration | 30–60 minutes | 10–30 minutes | Under 15 minutes |
| Environment | Enclosed tube, loud knocking sounds | Open, brief breath-holds | Brief positioning only |
Typical Exam Duration
Exact timing depends on the body part and whether contrast is used, but general ranges are:
- MRI: 30 to 60 minutes, sometimes longer for multi-region or cardiac studies
- CT: 10 to 30 minutes, including contrast administration time
- Mammogram: 15 to 30 minutes
- Ultrasound: 20 to 45 minutes, depending on the body area
- PET/CT: 2 to 3 hours total, including a required uptake period after the radioactive tracer injection before scanning begins
What Happens During Your Visit
- Arrival and check-in. Arrive at the time given at booking — typically 15 minutes before an MRI or CT, but up to 60–90 minutes early for PET/CT due to tracer uptake time. Bring your ID, insurance card, and physician order.
- Registration. Front desk staff verify your identity, insurance, and referral, and confirm any co-pay due at time of service.
- Safety screening. For MRI, staff review a screening questionnaire covering implants, pacemakers, metal fragments, and pregnancy status before you enter the scan room.
- Changing. For most MRI exams and some other studies, you’ll change into scrubs and store personal items, including phones and jewelry, in a locker.
- The exam. A certified technologist positions you and operates the equipment. You’ll be asked to stay still, and for some scans, hold your breath briefly or follow breathing cues.
- Recovery, if applicable. Patients who received IV contrast or sedation are typically monitored briefly afterward. Most patients can drive themselves home unless sedation was used, in which case a driver is required.
- Radiologist review. A subspecialized radiologist interprets your images and sends a report to your referring physician.
- Results delivery. Your doctor’s office typically contacts you to discuss findings; you can also view many results directly through the patient portal once finalized.
Accessibility and Patient Comfort
Open and open-upright MRI systems accommodate claustrophobic patients, bariatric patients, and those who cannot lie flat due to pain. Roughly 80% of claustrophobic patients complete a standard MRI successfully with support techniques such as focused breathing, an eye covering, or having a technologist remain in view throughout the scan.
If you have anxiety about a scan, mention it when scheduling. Centers can often accommodate requests such as a support person present in the room for non-MRI exams, noise-reducing headphones, or scheduling an open MRI unit instead of a standard closed bore. For mobility, language, or interpretation needs, contact your specific center in advance, as accommodations depend on what each location has available.
Preparing for Your Exam
MRI Preparation
Most MRI exams need no dietary restriction, and routine medications are usually continued as normal. Certain exams, such as MRCP or abdominal MRI, require avoiding food and drink for about four hours beforehand.
Tell staff in advance if you have any of the following, since they affect exam safety:
- A cardiac pacemaker or implanted defibrillator
- Aneurysm clips or other metallic implants
- Metal fragments in the eyes
- Current or possible pregnancy
CT Preparation
Non-contrast CT generally requires no preparation. Contrast CT typically requires avoiding food and drink, except water, for about four hours prior, and some oral-contrast studies involve drinking timed contrast doses before arrival. Patients on certain diabetes medications may need to pause them around the time of a contrast CT; your center will advise based on your specific medication.
Ultrasound, Mammography, and X-ray
Preparation depends on the exact study — some abdominal or pelvic ultrasounds require fasting or a full bladder, others need none. Standard X-rays and mammograms generally require no special preparation beyond wearing easily removable clothing.
Preparation Checklist
- Confirm fasting or hydration instructions specific to your exam
- List current medications, including diabetes medications if having contrast CT
- Remove jewelry, watches, and hairpins before an MRI
- Wear clothing without metal zippers, snaps, or underwire
- Bring ID, insurance card, physician order, and prior imaging if requested
Booking an Appointment
Scheduling happens directly through your chosen center’s phone line rather than a single national booking system, since each center manages its own calendar. Some centers also accept appointment or order requests through third-party healthcare platforms that let you send a physician’s order online.
Appointment checklist:
- Physician’s imaging order or referral, if your insurance requires one
- Insurance card and ID
- The specific exam and body part
- Relevant medical history, including allergies, prior surgeries, and implants
- At least 24 hours’ notice if you need to cancel or reschedule
Communication With Your Doctor
Radiologists send their interpreted report directly to your referring physician after your exam. Your doctor’s office is responsible for contacting you to discuss results and next steps — diagnostic interpretations are generally not delivered directly to patients by phone. You can request that copies of your report or images be sent to additional physicians by contacting the center where you had the exam.
Accessing the RAYUS Radiology Patient Portal
| Task | Where to Go |
| Sign in (South FL, TN, IL, UT, CA, IA, Appleton, Eau Claire centers) | The primary patient portal |
| Sign in (Central Florida, Froedtert, other RAYUS locations) | A separate link from the main portal page |
| Sign in (broader national network, Insight Imaging, affiliated centers) | myExamAnswers.com |
| New account setup | Provide your email at your appointment; the center sends a registration invitation |
| Forgot username/password | Use the portal recovery link, or call the center where you were seen |
| View results | Same portal used for sign-in, once report is finalized |
| Request image copies (CD/file transfer) | Contact the center directly |
| Request medical records transfer | Contact the originating center; processing time varies by location |
You cannot self-register without an access code — a center must verify your identity first and email you an invitation.
Insurance, Billing, and Payment Options
Coverage and Accepted Plans
Most major insurance plans are accepted, along with auto accident and workers’ compensation coverage, and government programs including Medicare and Medicaid. Commonly accepted carriers reported across various centers include Aetna, Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Humana, and UnitedHealthcare, though the specific plans in-network differ by state. Confirm your plan directly with the center’s insurance specialist listed on its location page.
Prior Authorization
Advanced imaging — MRI, CT, and PET/CT — often requires prior authorization from your insurer before the exam can proceed. Staff can help initiate this process on behalf of your referring physician by submitting your insurance information, clinical notes, and exam order to your insurer. If authorization isn’t in place before your appointment, your exam may be delayed or rescheduled, so confirm this status when you book.
Self-Pay Pricing and Price Estimates
If you’re uninsured or choosing to pay out of pocket, a price estimate is provided when you call to book or visit a center; a published flat price list generally isn’t available since pricing varies by exam and location. Self-pay rates commonly run 30–50% below hospital-based imaging pricing, and uninsured patients typically receive an automatic discount on medically necessary services.
Financial Assistance
Some locations offer a financial assistance program providing free or reduced-cost care for patients whose household income falls within a set range of federal poverty guidelines, based on family size. Availability and eligibility criteria are specific to certain centers and their affiliated health systems, so contact the billing office at your center to confirm whether this applies to your location.
Payment Options and HSA/FSA
Bills can typically be paid through a secure online payment portal covering most affiliated centers. HSA and FSA cards are generally accepted for qualifying medical imaging expenses, the same as with any other medical provider, though it’s best to confirm details with your plan administrator regarding what your specific account covers. Payment is generally due upon receipt unless you’ve arranged a payment plan with the billing office in advance.
Getting Your Results
Your radiologist’s report goes to your referring physician first. You can also view finalized results directly through the patient portal or myExamAnswers.com. For image copies on CD or file, or to have records sent elsewhere, contact the center where you had your exam.
Glossary of Common Imaging Terms
- Radiologist: A physician who specializes in interpreting medical images and writes the diagnostic report sent to your referring doctor.
- Radiologic technologist: The trained professional who positions you and operates the imaging equipment during your exam.
- Contrast media: A substance, given orally, intravenously, or rectally, that improves the visibility of specific tissues or blood vessels on an image.
- Gadolinium: The contrast agent commonly used for MRI exams to enhance certain structures.
- IV contrast: Contrast material injected into a vein, most often used for CT and some MRI exams.
- DICOM: The standard digital file format used to store and transfer medical images between systems and providers.
- PACS: The Picture Archiving and Communication System that stores and retrieves your medical images electronically.
- Prior authorization: Insurer approval required before certain imaging exams, confirming the plan will cover the cost.
- Screening exam: Imaging performed with no specific symptoms, to check for early signs of disease, such as a routine mammogram.
- Diagnostic exam: Imaging ordered to investigate a specific symptom, pain, or abnormal finding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I eat or drink before my MRI?
For most standard MRI exams, you can eat and drink normally beforehand. Certain exams, such as an MRI of the abdomen or an MRCP, require avoiding food and drink for about four hours prior. Your center will tell you at scheduling whether your specific exam requires fasting.
Can someone come with me to my appointment?
A support person can usually accompany you into the waiting area, and for many non-MRI exams, into the exam room itself. For MRI, a companion generally cannot enter the scan room due to the strong magnetic field unless they’ve been screened for metal and approved by staff. Ask your center about their specific policy when you book.
Can I drive myself home after my exam?
Most patients can drive themselves home after a standard MRI, CT, ultrasound, or X-ray. If you received sedation for anxiety or claustrophobia, you’ll need someone to drive you, since sedation affects reaction time and judgment for several hours afterward.
Can I wear makeup or deodorant to my exam?
For most exams, makeup and deodorant are fine. However, some products contain trace metal particles that can interfere with MRI image quality, particularly for scans of the head and neck. If you’re having a brain or facial MRI, ask whether you should skip makeup that day.
Can I use my phone during my exam?
You generally cannot use your phone during an MRI, both because metal and electronics aren’t allowed near the magnet and because you’ll be inside the scanner. For other exams like X-ray or ultrasound, brief phone use in the waiting area is fine, but you’ll need to set it aside once the exam itself begins.
What if I’m pregnant or think I might be?
Tell the scheduling staff and the technologist if you’re pregnant or unsure, before your exam. Some imaging, particularly CT and certain contrast studies, may need to be postponed or modified during pregnancy, while ultrasound and many MRI exams without contrast are more commonly considered when medically necessary. Your referring physician and the radiologist will determine the safest approach for your specific situation.
Do tattoos affect an MRI?
Older tattoo inks occasionally contained trace metal that could theoretically cause mild warming or discomfort during an MRI, though this is uncommon with modern inks. Mention any tattoos, especially larger or older ones, during your safety screening so staff can monitor for any sensation during the scan.
What happens if I arrive late for my appointment?
Arriving significantly late may mean your slot is given to another patient or you’re asked to reschedule, particularly for exams with tightly timed contrast protocols or PET/CT tracer uptake windows. Call the center as soon as you know you’ll be late so staff can advise whether they can still accommodate you that day.
What if my insurance denies my MRI or CT scan?
If your insurer denies coverage or prior authorization, your referring physician’s office typically has the option to submit additional clinical documentation or file an appeal. Contact your insurance specialist at the center for a self-pay price estimate as an alternative while the appeal is pending, so you understand your options while the issue is resolved.
Is RAYUS Radiology the same as Insight Imaging?
Insight Imaging is one of several regional brands operating under the broader RAYUS Radiology network. Patients seen at Insight Imaging locations generally use the same myExamAnswers.com portal used across the national network, though scheduling and insurance details are still handled at the local center level.
