Interventional Radiology

Where state-of-the-art imaging technology meets compassionate care

Interventional radiology is a leading-edge medical imaging area that is helping to reimagine care delivery. Specialists, called interventional radiologists, use their expertise in reading medical images to go beyond diagnosing conditions to enhance medical procedures. They also use imaging to guide minimally invasive procedures and deliver targeted treatments. These advancements can make it possible to improve outcomes and avoid more intense surgeries.

About Interventional Radiology Procedures

There is a wide variety of groundbreaking interventional radiology procedures and treatments. These procedures can be instrumental in treating existing conditions before they get worse, decreasing your risk of conditions like heart attack and stroke, and in enhancing your care plan.

The two main types of interventional radiology procedures are:

  • Diagnostic: discovers your risk for or if you have medical conditions
  • Therapeutic: direct treatment for medical conditions

Leading-Edge Medicine, Remarkable Results

Benefits of interventional radiology procedures include:

  • Less risk, pain, and discomfort for you
  • Anesthesia (“going under”) generally not required
  • Typically, can go home the same day as your procedure
  • Fewer side effects
  • Shorter recovery times
  • Develop a care plan personalized to your needs
  • Lower cost than traditional surgery

Because medical images are displayed during interventional radiology procedures in real time, your care experts can more easily see exactly where they need to go in your body. This helps them deliver a diagnosis or care with remarkable precision and safety.

Imaging Appointments

To get an appointment for most diagnostic imaging procedures, you typically must have a referral and physician's order. Start with talking with your primary care provider about your concern. They can help get you on the path to getting an imaging referral if needed. Novant Health imaging centers accept all physician imaging orders.

If you have had a previous imaging procedure and need new images, you do not need go back to the same imaging center you went to before. Our radiologists can request the images from your previous exam(s) to compare to your new results.  

It is important that you keep your scheduled imaging appointment. If you will be late due to an emergency, please call our scheduling team as soon as possible to cancel or reschedule.

What to Bring

Please bring the following documents to your appointment. Make sure your insurance card is current for the date of your exam.

Referral form from your doctor
Insurance Card
Contact information
Payment (if applicable)
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Costs & Insurance

Insurance company approval may be required (“prior authorization”) even with valid imaging orders from your provider.

Appointment costs vary depending on specific procedure, your insurance coverage, and the imaging center. Good faith estimates are provided and discounted services may be available if you don't have insurance.

Be sure to take advantage of our many free healthcare cost resources — including financial navigators — to learn more.

A health care provider is reviewing an x-ray while talking on the phone.

Your Imaging Results

A radiologist will review your medical images and report their findings to your doctor 24 to 72 hours after your exam. (Your doctor can also request to view the images online.) Your doctor will contact you to discuss your results and any next steps.

Take advantage of Novant Health MyChart to:

  • View your imaging results as soon as they’re available
  • Contact your doctor
  • Set up follow up appointments

A healthcare provider is resting her hand on a patients shoulder as she is talking and preparing her for an imaging scan.

Your Well-Being Is Our Priority.

If you have any anxiety about your imaging procedure, reach out to your care team. Novant Health's experienced providers are ready to listen and help put you at ease.

Find Imaging Centers Near You.

The care team referring you for imaging may help you set up your appointment at a particular location. You can also choose to schedule your imaging appointment at the imaging center most convenient to you. Visit individual imaging center websites to learn which specific types of imaging are offered at or to schedule at that location.

No Primary Care Provider?

Use our Physician Matcher to find the provider that best matches your needs and preferences, including location, specialty, years of experience and gender.

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Referring a Patient?

If you're a referring physician or healthcare professional, we can help you find the right specialist, programs and services for your patient.