Computed tomography, commonly known as a CT scan, is a medical imaging procedure that utilizes X-ray machines to provide a detailed cross-sectional view of the desired internal part of the body. It is a non-invasive method to diagnose internal abnormalities as well as monitor how they are recovering. CT scan is extremely effective to show soft tissues, bones, and blood vessels. If you or someone close to you is advised to get a CT scan done, there are a few things that you need to know. We have listed some of them further in this blog.
Many hospitals as well as other inpatient facilities have CT scan machines. However, you can find CT scan services in many outpatient surgery centers as well as in specialized diagnostic imaging facilities.
The Procedure of a CT scan
● The CT scan starts with a CT angiogram. Your doctor may give you a special dye either in the form of a pill, as an injection, or as a drink. It is meant to get a clearer view of the body part.
● After that, the patient has to change into the hospital’s or facility’s gown.
● Following that, the patient lies down on a table and that table slides inside the scanner.
● The patient is supposed to lie as still as possible during the scan and he or she is continuously monitored by the doctor.
● The scan may last up to an hour and the result is provided within 24 hours.
Purpose of a CT scan
Doctors recommend a CT scan to diagnose the cause of your symptoms. CT scan helps them find abnormalities in the body that are not visible outside of the body. After the diagnosis, they develop a treatment plan to help the patient recover. Furthermore, scans are recommended in the future to track the treatment progress.
The need for a doctor’s referral
Just like most diagnostic imaging procedures, you will need a referral from a reputed doctor for a CT scan as this will specify the type of scan you need.
CT scan cost without insurance
The Cost of CT Scan may range depending on several factors. One of those factors is whether you have opted for the scan in an inpatient or outpatient facility. Inpatient facilities like hospitals are more likely to be costly than diagnostic imaging centers. The part of the body that needs to be scanned also affects the CT scan cost. For instance, bone scans are the least expensive while the head, neck, and abdominal scans may considerably cost you a higher amount, especially if you are not insured.
CT scan cost with insurance
If you have a health insurance policy, your insurance provider will probably cover a portion of the CT scan cost. Furthermore, you can save on your CT scan by giving adequate time to the research. Don’t forget to read the online reviews to get quality care without breaking the bank.
We hope that the above blog has provided you with enough information. If you still have any doubts pertaining to CT scans, experts are right here to help you.
