MRI

MRI in Jersey City: Wide-Bore 1.5T Imaging at JCIC

Jersey City Imaging Center offers diagnostic MRI scans on a wide-bore 1.5T machine designed for patient comfort. Most scans are completed in 30 to 60 minutes. All major insurance accepted, including Medicare and Medicaid. Same-day appointments often available. 

What Is an MRI Scan?

An MRI, or Magnetic Resonance Imaging scan, is a diagnostic test that uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to create detailed images of the inside of your body. Unlike X-ray and CT, MRI does not use radiation, which makes it a safe option for repeat imaging when needed.
MRI is the most accurate imaging tool available for soft tissues like the brain, spinal cord, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and internal organs. Doctors order MRI scans to diagnose a wide range of conditions, including back pain, joint injuries, headaches, tumors, multiple sclerosis, and many other concerns.

Your scan is interpreted by a board-certified radiologist who sends a formal written report to you and your referring physician within 2 to 3 business days.

Our MRI: Wide-Bore 1.5T Design

Jersey City Imaging Center uses a wide-bore 1.5T MRI machine. Here is what that means for you as a patient.

1.5T field strength

The 1.5T (Tesla) magnet is the diagnostic standard for medical imaging. It produces clear, high-quality images for the vast majority of clinical needs, from neurological scans to musculoskeletal imaging to abdominal studies. Most MRI scans worldwide are performed on 1.5T machines.

Wide-bore design

Traditional closed MRI machines have a narrow tube that some patients find tight or uncomfortable, especially patients with claustrophobia or those who are larger in size. Our wide-bore design is significantly more open, giving you more space, more light, and a far more comfortable experience.

Comfortable for most patients

Our MRI accommodates most body sizes comfortably. If you have felt anxious or constrained in a standard MRI before, you will likely find our wide-bore experience much easier.

Every scan is performed by a certified imaging technologist and interpreted by a board-certified radiologist.

Body Parts We Image

Our MRI scans the full range of body areas your doctor may order. The most common scans we perform include: 

Head and Brain MRI

Used to diagnose headaches, migraines, dizziness, vision problems, suspected stroke, multiple sclerosis, and brain tumors.

Spine MRI

Cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine imaging for back pain, neck pain, sciatica, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and nerve compression.

Knee MRI

Used for knee pain, ligament tears (ACL, MCL, PCL), meniscus injuries, cartilage damage, and arthritis.

Shoulder MRI

For shoulder pain, rotator cuff tears, labral tears, and impingement.

Hip MRI

For hip pain, labral tears, arthritis, and stress fractures.

Other Joints

Ankle, foot, wrist, and elbow imaging for sports injuries, arthritis, and chronic pain.

When Your Doctor May Order an MRI

MRI is one of the most versatile diagnostic tools in modern medicine. Your physician may order an MRI for many reasons, but some of the most common include: 

If you have a prescription for an MRI from any licensed physician, you can schedule your scan at Jersey City Imaging Center. We accept prescriptions from primary care doctors, urgent care providers, specialists, chiropractors, physical therapists, and nurse practitioners with prescribing authority. 

What to Expect During Your MRI

If you have never had an MRI before, the process is straightforward. Here is what happens from check-in to checkout. 

Check-in

When you arrive, our front desk verifies your identity, your prescription, and your insurance information. If you uploaded your insurance through your booking confirmation email, this step is fast.

Pre-scan preparation

You will be asked to change into a hospital gown and remove all metal items, including jewelry, watches, hairpins, glasses, hearing aids, and clothing with metal zippers or snaps. Lockers are provided for your belongings.

Medical screening

Our technologist will ask a few questions to make sure MRI is safe for you. Please tell us if you have any metal implants, a pacemaker, an aneurysm clip, or other devices in your body.

The scan itself

You will lie comfortably on a padded table that slides into the wide-bore opening. The scan typically takes 30 to 60 minutes depending on the body part being imaged. The machine makes loud knocking and humming sounds during the scan, which is normal. We provide ear protection.

After the scan

You can leave immediately and resume your normal day. There is no recovery time, no sedation, and no medical restrictions afterward.

Receiving your results

A board-certified radiologist reviews your images and prepares a formal written report. Your report is sent to you and your referring physician within 2 to 3 business days.

If You Feel Anxious About MRI

Concerns about feeling closed in or anxious during an MRI are extremely common. If you have ever skipped a scan, postponed one, or worried about getting through it, you are not alone. Here is how Jersey City Imaging Center addresses this. 

Our wide-bore design helps

The single biggest source of MRI anxiety is the feeling of a tight tube around the body. Our wide-bore machine is significantly more open than traditional closed MRI machines, which makes a real difference for most anxious patients.

You stay in control

You hold a call button throughout the scan and can speak to the technologist at any time. If you need to pause or come out, we stop. There is no penalty for taking a break.

Plenty of room for larger patients

Our wide-bore MRI accommodates most body sizes comfortably. If you have been turned away from a closed MRI before because of size, you will likely fit comfortably in our machine.

Sedation is available if needed

For patients with severe claustrophobia or anxiety, light sedation can be arranged in advance through your prescribing physician. This is uncommon, since most patients are comfortable in our wide-bore design without it. If you think you may need sedation, mention it when you book.

Tips that help

Eat a light meal before your scan, wear comfortable clothing without metal, bring noise-canceling music if available, and let our team know you are anxious so they can talk you through the process.

What to Bring to Your Appointment

When you arrive at Jersey City Imaging Center for your scan, please bring:

A few days before

Confirm your appointment is on your calendar and that your insurance information has been uploaded through your booking confirmation email. If your physician ordered any specific prep instructions, follow those.

The day of your scan

Eat normally unless your physician told you otherwise. Take your regular medications. Wear comfortable clothing without metal zippers, buttons, or snaps. Leave jewelry, watches, and metal accessories at home, or be prepared to remove them at check-in.

What to bring

Your prescription, a valid photo ID, your insurance card, a list of current medications, and any prior imaging records if available.

What to mention to our team

Tell us if you have any metal implants, a pacemaker, an aneurysm clip, cochlear implant, surgical staples, or other devices in your body. Also let us know if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have severe claustrophobia.

MRI Cost and Insurance

Jersey City Imaging Center accepts all major insurance plans for MRI, including Medicare and Medicaid. Most insured patients pay only their plan’s standard co-pay or coinsurance, which we verify before your appointment.

We also welcome self-pay patients with a prescription. Self-pay quotes are provided in writing within one business day of request, with no facility fees and no hidden charges.

Frequently asked Questions

Most MRI scans at JCIC take between 30 and 60 minutes, depending on the body part being imaged and the specific protocol your doctor ordered. Brain and spine MRIs are typically on the shorter end, while more detailed scans take longer. Our team gives you an estimated duration when you book.

Yes. New Jersey law requires a prescription from a licensed physician for diagnostic imaging, including MRI. The prescription can come from any licensed provider, including primary care doctors, urgent care, specialists, chiropractors, physical therapists, and nurse practitioners with prescribing authority. You do not need to be referred from a specific network.

Yes. MRI is one of the safest imaging tools available because it uses no radiation. The strong magnetic field and radio waves are not harmful to the body. The main safety considerations are metal implants, pacemakers, and certain medical devices. Tell our team about any implants or devices before your scan so we can confirm MRI is safe for you.

Jersey City Imaging Center uses a wide-bore MRI machine, which is significantly more open than traditional closed MRI machines. Most patients find the wide-bore experience much more comfortable. You will lie on a padded table that slides into the open area. You can speak to the technologist throughout the scan and hold a call button in case you need to pause.

In most cases, no. Eat normally, take your regular medications, and wear comfortable clothing without metal. Leave jewelry and metal accessories at home, or plan to remove them at check-in. Tell our team about any metal implants or medical devices in your body. 

Our wide-bore MRI is designed with claustrophobic patients in mind. The open design, paired with the ability to speak to the technologist and pause the scan if needed, makes the experience much more manageable for most patients. For severe claustrophobia, light sedation can be arranged in advance through your prescribing physician.

Your MRI is interpreted by a board-certified radiologist who sends a formal written report to you and your referring physician within 2 to 3 business days. We can send results to any provider you choose, including specialists or new physicians.

Jersey City Imaging Center accepts all major insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid. We verify your specific coverage before your appointment and confirm your exact out-of-pocket cost in advance. 

Yes. Self-pay patients are welcome at JCIC with a valid prescription. Self-pay quotes are provided in writing within one business day of request, with no hidden charges. Federal law also gives self-pay patients the right to a Good Faith Estimate, which we provide on request.

Same-day MRI appointments are often available depending on the body part being scanned and the time you book. Most patients are scheduled within 1 to 3 business days. For urgent scans, call us directly at (551) 353-9911 and we will work to accommodate you as quickly as possible. 

Ready to Schedule Your MRI?

Jersey City Imaging Center accepts all major insurance plans for MRI, including Medicare and Medicaid. Most insured patients pay only their plan’s standard co-pay or coinsurance, which we verify before your appointment.

We also welcome self-pay patients with a prescription. Self-pay quotes are provided in writing within one business day of request, with no facility fees and no hidden charges.

MRI, CT scan, ultrasound, X-ray, and DEXA bone density all under one roof at 2300 JFK Blvd. All insurance accepted. Walk-ins welcome. Reports in 2-3 business days. 

2300 John F. Kennedy Blvd, Jersey City, NJ 07304

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