[MBAtarga]

When a patient gets an MRI or an Xray - how is the radiologist chosen? Is there a reason for a different radiologist to require the MRI/Xray be taken again?

I had a lumbar MRI and 7 xrays done at a 3rd party location rather than the hospital that the Pain Clinic Dr is affiliated. I've got the MRI images on 1 CD, and the xrays on another.

My pain clinic doctor says the radiologist reports they were provided from that 3rd party are worthless. I can understand their perspective as I was given hard copies of the reports. I'm just an engineer - but when an MRI of the lumber is taken - and I've had an L4/L5 fusion - yet nothing is stated about that fusion - I have my doubts too!

I asked is it possible to get a different radiologist to review the images - and the PA at the pain clinic said that it's unlikely to find another radiologist that wouldn't require the MRI to be taken again. The MRI was just taken 3 weeks ago - is there something about accepted practices that prevents a radiologist from looking at the MRI images off a CD?

I really don't want to go through the time and expense of the MRI and more xrays at a different location just to get a different radiologist to review the images.

My first call Monday is to the 3rd party practice and ask about the radiologist reports and to request something more substantial be provided. Pending that conversation, my next call is to Aetna to see what if anything they can suggest.