At PrimeHealth Urgent Care, our state-of-the-art medical imaging devices emit electromagnetic waves to produce detailed images of the bone structure, which are integral in diagnosing fractures and determining their type and location.

A fractured bone can cause the following signs and symptoms:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Bruising
• Deformity
• Difficulty moving the affected area

If a fracture is suspected, an X-ray technician will position your body part so that the X-ray beam can pass through the affected area for further diagnosis.

The X-ray procedure is quick, painless, and convenient. The X-ray beam passes through the affected area and onto the detector, with the resulting image displayed on a computer screen. This allows our medical professionals to examine your bones for any breaks or fractures, and determine whether the bone has been displaced and the number of broken bone pieces.

PrimeHealth Urgent Care operates with extended hours beyond traditional doctor’s offices, providing the convenience of getting an X-ray when you need it. We typically have shorter wait times than hospitals, enabling quicker diagnosis and treatment. X-rays performed at our facility are generally less costly than procedures carried out at a hospital.

Although we are fully equipped, we may not be able to handle complex or severe fractures requiring specialized treatment. In such cases, we will stabilize the patient and refer them to a hospital or specialist for further treatment.

After the X-ray, our healthcare provider will review the images. This could range from a cast or splint to surgery in more severe cases. They may also provide instructions for pain medication and a referral to an orthopedic specialist for follow-up care.

When you visit PrimeHealth Urgent Care for an X-ray, the process is streamlined and efficient, ensuring you receive prompt and accurate care. You may expect the following throughout your visit:

Check-In and Preparation:

Upon arrival at our facility, you’ll check in at the front desk, submit your medical history, and explain why you need an X-ray. One of our experienced healthcare professionals will then review this information with you, explaining what the X-ray will involve, its purpose, and what they hope to glean from the imaging.

You may need to remove jewelry, metal objects, or certain clothing that could interfere with the X-ray image. If necessary, we’ll provide a hospital gown to ensure nothing obstructs the image.

Positioning for the X-ray:

Our skilled X-ray technicians will guide you into the optimal position for the X-ray, which may involve standing, sitting, or lying on an X-ray table. You’ll receive clear instructions on how to move or stay still to get the best possible image. Assistive equipment like pillows or sandbags may be used for support.

X-ray Exposure:

Our state-of-the-art X-ray machine will emit a brief burst of radiation to capture an image of the area under examination. The exposure only lasts a few seconds and is generally painless. However, the positions you need to maintain may cause minimal discomfort.

Post-X-ray Procedure:

After your X-ray, you’re typically free to go. Our technicians are not allowed to provide medical advice at this stage. Instead, your X-ray images will be reviewed by a professional radiologist who will discuss the findings with the doctor who requested the X-ray. They will jointly decide on the next steps and you will be contacted with these findings.

Additional Information:

This whole process usually takes less than 15 minutes and is a common method used to diagnose conditions in bones, joints, and lungs, such as fractures, dislocations, and other injuries.

X-rays are a diagnostic imaging technique frequently used at PrimeHealth Urgent Care to assess various medical conditions like fractures, sprains, and pneumonia. However, whether these X-rays are covered by insurance is dependent on a range of factors such as the individual’s health insurance plan, the reason for the X-ray, and the urgent care facility itself.

Types of Insurance Policies

The coverage for X-rays can differ greatly depending on the type of insurance policy an individual has.

• Commercial Insurance: Most commercial insurance policies generally cover X-rays at our urgent care facility, although coverage may be subject to certain limitations like co-pays or deductibles.
• Medicare: Medicare predominantly covers X-rays at our facility when they are deemed medically necessary.
• Medicaid: Medicaid coverage for X-rays at PrimeHealth Urgent Care can vary by state. In some states, X-rays may be included as a covered service.

Factors Affecting Coverage

Several factors can influence insurance coverage for X-rays:

• Reason for the X-ray: Insurance is more likely to cover X-rays that are critical for a diagnosis or treatment, compared to those used for routine or preventive measures.
• Location: Some insurance policies may only cover X-rays performed at in-network urgent care facilities. Even if a person’s health insurance plan covers X-rays, it might not apply if their specific insurance is not accepted at our center.
• Out-of-Pocket Costs: Patients may have to pay co-pays, deductibles, or coinsurance for the X-ray and any associated medical services.

Verifying Coverage and Costs

Before seeking X-rays, patients are encouraged to contact both their insurance provider and our facility to verify coverage and estimate out-of-pocket costs. They should also inquire about any pre-authorization requirements to avoid unexpected expenses.

At PrimeHealth Urgent Care, we are equipped with an array of diagnostic tools, including X-ray machines that are instrumental in detecting a variety of health conditions, including lung infections and pneumonia. However, it’s important to understand that while X-rays are a crucial tool in our diagnostic process, they do have limitations.

Our X-ray machines can help detect pneumonia by identifying opaque spots or areas in the lungs caused by the infection. A lung infection can cause the tissue to become inflamed, which can also be seen on an X-ray. Additionally, our X-rays can contribute to determining the extent of the condition, revealing if one or both lungs are affected and how much of the lung is involved.

As with all diagnostic tools, there are limitations in detecting lung infections such as pneumonia. In the early stages of pneumonia or individuals with a weakened immune system, there may be minimal fluid or inflammation in the lungs, making it challenging for X-rays to detect these subtle changes. Overlapping structures in the chest can also make it hard to differentiate between pneumonia and other conditions.

In such situations, our healthcare professionals may rely on other diagnostic tests to confirm the presence of an infection. A Chest Computed Tomography (CT) Scan combines multiple X-ray images to create detailed cross-sectional images of the lungs and is more sensitive for detecting pneumonia.

If you experience a cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, fever, or chills, seek urgent medical attention. While an urgent care X-ray may not always be definitive, it can provide initial information to guide further evaluation and treatment.

We offer cutting-edge radiological services at PrimeHealth Urgent Care so that our patients can receive precise diagnoses. We are conveniently located at 4015 US HWY 301 Ellenton, FL 34222. For more information, contact us or request an appointment online. We serve patients from Ellenton FL, Palmetto, FL, West Samoset FL, Memphis FL, Bradenton FL, Port Charlotte FL, Harbour Heights FL, Murdock FL, and surrounding areas.