If this is your first imaging appointment with us, this guide walks you through everything: what to bring, what to wear, how to prepare, and what happens during your scan. Most visits take less than an hour, and most patients leave feeling more relaxed than they expected.
A diagnostic imaging appointment can feel intimidating, especially if it is your first. The goal of this page is to remove that uncertainty. By the time you finish reading, you should know exactly what to expect from the moment you book your appointment to the moment you receive your results.
If you have any questions that this page does not answer, call us at (551) 353-9911 or email contact@jerseycityimaging.com. Our team is here to help you feel prepared.
There are a few simple steps to take care of in the days before your scan. Most of this is straightforward, and our team handles the heavy lifting.
Tell us which scan your doctor ordered, the body part being scanned, and your contact information. The form takes about 2 minutes to complete, or you can call us at (551) 353-9911.
Within minutes of submitting your booking, you will receive an email with a secure link to upload your insurance information.
Click the link in your confirmation email and upload a photo of the front and back of your insurance card. This step is HIPAA-secure and takes less than a minute. If you are paying out of pocket, you can skip this step.
Our billing team verifies your specific coverage with your insurance plan and confirms your out-of-pocket cost before your appointment. We call you to schedule once everything is verified.
Most scans require little to no preparation. If your scan does require fasting, a full bladder, or other prep, our team gives you specific instructions when we schedule your appointment.
When you arrive at Jersey City Imaging Center, please bring:
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:
Comfortable, loose-fitting clothing without metal zippers, buttons, or snaps is ideal for most appointments. Here are the specifics by scan type.
You will be asked to change into a hospital gown to make sure no metal is on your body during the scan. Leave jewelry, watches, hairpins, and metal accessories at home, or be prepared to remove them at check-in.
Depending on the body part being scanned, you may or may not need to change into a gown. Avoid clothing with metal in the area being imaged.
For most X-rays, you can stay fully dressed if your clothing has no metal zippers, buttons, or buckles in the area being imaged. For chest X-rays, women may be asked to remove necklaces and bras.
Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that allows easy access to the area being scanned. For most ultrasounds, you only need to expose the area being imaged, not change into a gown.
Stay fully clothed in comfortable clothing without metal zippers, buttons, or snaps. You can also change into a gown if you prefer.
Here is what your visit looks like from arrival to departure.
Plan to arrive about 10 to 15 minutes before your appointment. 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.
Depending on your scan, you may be asked to change into a hospital gown and remove metal items. Lockers are provided for your belongings. Our technologist also asks a few medical screening questions to make sure your scan is safe.
Your certified imaging technologist guides you through every step. Most scans last between 10 and 60 minutes depending on the modality and body part. You can talk to your technologist throughout most scans, and you will hold a call button or have direct communication in case you need to pause.
You can leave immediately and resume your normal day in most cases. If you received contrast dye, our team gives you specific aftercare instructions, which usually include drinking extra water.
Most patients are in and out within 30 to 75 minutes from arrival to departure, including check-in, prep, the scan, and any follow-up.
Different scans require different preparation. Here is a quick reference.
No fasting required. Eat normally and take your regular medications. Wear or change into clothing without metal. Tell our team about any metal implants or medical devices in your body.
Most CT scans require no preparation. If your scan requires contrast dye, you may be asked to fast for 4 to 6 hours beforehand. Our team gives you specific instructions when we schedule your appointment.
Preparation depends on the type. Abdominal ultrasounds typically require fasting for 6 to 8 hours. Pelvic and renal ultrasounds may require a full bladder. Thyroid, vascular, and musculoskeletal ultrasounds usually require no preparation. Our team gives you specific instructions when you book.
No preparation required in most cases. Eat normally and take your regular medications. Wear or change into clothing without metal in the area being imaged.
No fasting required. Stop taking calcium supplements for 24 hours before your scan, as they can affect the accuracy of your results. Wear comfortable clothing without metal.
When you book your scan, our team gives you the specific prep instructions for your appointment. If you are unsure what to do, call us at (551) 353-9911.
The waiting period after a scan is often the most stressful part. Here is how it works at Jersey City Imaging Center.
Your scan is interpreted by a board-certified radiologist who prepares a formal written report. For X-ray, your report is typically available within 24 hours. For MRI, CT, ultrasound, and DEXA, your report is delivered within 2 to 3 business days.
Your formal report is sent directly to your referring physician. We also send a copy to you. If you would like results sent to additional providers (a specialist, a new physician, an attorney for a workers comp case), let us know and we can include them.
Your prescribing physician reviews your report and contacts you with the next steps. If you have questions about what your results mean, your physician is the best person to interpret them in the context of your overall health.
Most patients can access their imaging through a secure link in their report. If you need a CD or USB copy of your images, request one from our front desk or call us afterward and we will prepare it for you.
Call us at (551) 353-9911 or email contact@jerseycityimaging.com with the new provider’s name and contact information. We will verify your identity and send the records.
Many patients have one or more specific concerns about their first imaging appointment. Here is how Jersey City Imaging Center addresses the most common ones.
Our wide-bore MRI is significantly more open than traditional closed MRI machines, which makes the scan much easier for most anxious patients. You also stay in control during the scan with a call button and direct communication with the technologist. For severe claustrophobia, light sedation can be arranged in advance through your prescribing physician.
Tell our team before your scan. MRI and ultrasound are generally safe during pregnancy. CT and X-ray may be avoided or modified depending on what your physician ordered, since they involve a small amount of radiation. We always confirm safety before any scan.
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. Tell our team if you have specific concerns and we will confirm the equipment is appropriate before your appointment.
Tell our team about any metal implants, pacemakers, aneurysm clips, surgical staples, cochlear implants, or other devices in your body before your appointment. Most modern medical hardware is MRI-safe, but our technologist will confirm safety based on your specific situation.
Our front desk serves patients in Spanish, Hindi, and Urdu in addition to English. Let us know your preferred language when you book and our team will support you in the language you are most comfortable with.
It is normal to feel uncertain while waiting for results. Most reports are returned within 2 to 3 business days, and your prescribing physician will walk you through what your results mean. If your scan reveals something time-sensitive, your physician is contacted as quickly as possible.
Most patients are in and out within 30 to 75 minutes from arrival to departure. The actual scan time varies by modality. X-rays take 10 to 20 minutes, DEXA scans take 10 to 20 minutes, ultrasounds take 20 to 45 minutes, CT scans take 10 to 30 minutes, and MRIs take 30 to 60 minutes. Check-in, prep, and any contrast administration add to the total visit time.
Yes. New Jersey law requires a prescription from a licensed physician for all diagnostic imaging, including MRI, CT, ultrasound, X-ray, and DEXA. The prescription can come from any licensed provider, and you do not need to be referred from a specific network.
Bring your written prescription, a valid photo ID, your insurance card, a list of current medications, and any prior imaging or related medical records if available. If you plan to pay with an HSA or FSA card, bring that too.
It depends on the type of scan. MRI and DEXA do not require fasting. Some CT scans and abdominal ultrasounds require fasting for 4 to 8 hours beforehand. Our team gives you specific prep instructions when we schedule your appointment.
Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing without metal zippers, buttons, or snaps. For MRI, you will change into a hospital gown. For most other scans, you can stay in your own clothing as long as it has no metal in the area being imaged.
X-ray results are typically available within 24 hours. MRI, CT, ultrasound, and DEXA results are delivered to you and your referring physician within 2 to 3 business days.
Our wide-bore MRI is significantly more open than traditional closed MRI machines, which makes the scan easier for most anxious patients. You stay in control during the scan with a call button and direct communication with the technologist. For severe claustrophobia, light sedation can be arranged in advance through your prescribing physician.
Yes. You are welcome to bring a family member, friend, or support person. They can stay in the waiting area during your scan, and in some cases they may be able to stay in the room with you. Let our team know if you would like a support person nearby during your appointment.
We ask that you give us at least 24 hours notice if you need to cancel or reschedule. To cancel or reschedule, call us at (551) 353-9911 or reply to your confirmation email.
Yes. Walk-ins are welcome at Jersey City Imaging Center during regular hours, Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Appointments are recommended to guarantee your preferred time, but we do our best to accommodate walk-in patients with a valid prescription.
Booking your spine MRI at Jersey City Imaging Center takes just a few minutes online, or you can call us directly. Same-day appointments are often available, walk-ins are welcome, and our team verifies your insurance before your appointment so there are no surprises.
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
© Jersey City Imaging Center