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If you need to schedule an X-ray in Ontario, you may have questions about the process. This medical imaging technique uses low-dose radiation to create internal pictures of your body to help diagnose injuries and health conditions. This guide will cover how to get an X-ray, what costs to expect and other common questions about the process.
Most patients will receive their results at a follow-up appointment or phone call with their doctor. For those wanting instant access, PocketHealth notifies you as your report is ready, allowing you to view it immediately. This gives you the opportunity to prepare any questions for your doctor in advance, as you’ll have an early view of your records.
X-rays are usually ordered by your physician. They will either give you a requisition form to schedule your own appointment or send the referral to the imaging clinic, which will then call you to schedule. If you have an emergency injury, such as a possible fracture, you will most likely receive your X-ray at the hospital or emergency facility.
X-rays legally require a referral from a physician, especially if you want them to be covered by OHIP. If you don’t have a doctor, you may be able to get a referral from a walk-in clinic with medical professionals on staff. The only exception to needing a referral is scheduling a mammogram. This can be done by anyone who is assigned female at birth (AFAB) and is within the recommended age range, which is currently 50 to 74 years but will soon be lowered to 40 to 74 years.
For patients in Ontario, the OBSP (Ontario Breast Screening Program) is a provincially funded initiative designed to simplify the scheduling of mammograms and cover the associated costs. Patients who need early screening due to higher risks for breast cancer may require a referral. However, patients within the recommended age range can schedule their appointments directly.
Getting an X-ray requisition form requires a prior visit to a doctor who must decide that the scan is necessary. If you don’t have a doctor or if they are booked too far out, you can go to a walk-in clinic or urgent care center, which can also provide you with a requisition for an X-ray if deemed necessary.
The requisition form is officially valid for six months, after which a new requisition must be obtained.
Not currently. However, changes are in motion to expand their scope of practice, including the possibility of ordering diagnostic imaging. Some other provinces in Canada already allow their physiotherapists to order X-rays, but there are still current restrictions in Ontario. It may take some time to implement any regulatory changes, and there may still be restrictions even if they do.
OHIP will cover medically necessary X-rays that also have an official referral from your doctor. Other types, such as dental X-rays, are not covered and you’ll need to pay out of pocket if you don’t have supplemental insurance.
How much does an X-ray cost in Ontario?
X-ray costs depend on the specific type of scan performed and the individual private clinic’s prices. Costs can range from around $100 for a simple hand X-ray to thousands of dollars for complex scans of organs, such as the pancreas. Fortunately, most of these scans are covered by OHIP.
Wait times vary from imaging clinic to imaging clinic. Depending on your area, there may be walk-in X-ray services that can be done within a day. More complex X-rays or busier facilities, however, may take weeks to schedule.
Patient accessing chest X-ray on PocketHealth
If you’re looking to access your X-ray results in Ontario, there are several ways to view and understand your images. Here’s what you need to know about getting your X-ray results and making sense of them.
Typically, patients receive their X-ray results at their follow-up appointment with their doctor. Depending on how booked out they are, it can take up to a week or more. For patients wanting quicker access, PocketHealth lets you see your results as soon as they are officially uploaded. In some cases you may even see them before your provider does.
Some imaging or medical clinics provide online access to your X-ray results, though this varies by facility. PocketHealth can help you access imaging records from hundreds of hospitals and clinics, allowing you to view your reports even if your medical providers do not offer online patient access. You can also access them indefinitely, keeping your imaging records secure and always available.
Your doctor and the radiologist will be the ones who officially interpret your X-ray report. However, if you see your results before meeting with your physician, it’s helpful to have a general understanding of what you’re looking at. Here are some common terms:
Report Reader is a useful feature that provides easy-to-understand definitions of the technical medical terminology in your report. This helps you decode your results and gain a deeper understanding of your health, which you can then discuss more effectively with your doctor at your next appointment. MyCare Navigator similarly prepares you by generating personalized questions to ask your medical provider, including any recommended follow-ups detected from your report.
X-rays are a safe and accessible imaging technique that helps doctors diagnose, assess, and monitor numerous health conditions. For Dave, studying his ongoing imaging reports allowed him to track improvements in his pancreatic cancer, providing him with peace of mind during his health journey.
Keeping track of your medical reports and x-ray images is simple with PocketHealth. All of your vital imaging is in one protected location and accessed anytime you need. PocketHealth can help you organize and access your medical records, providing valuable insights when reviewed alongside your healthcare provider’s guidance.
