DXA scan in NC?

October 29, 2011 9:48 AM

DXA body scan within 25 miles of Raleigh-Durham, NC? Cash only, no referral required, please!

Was wondering if this exists in the area. All places I've contacted require doctor referral. Thanks, mefites!

posted by littleredwagon to Health & Fitness (1 answer total)

If you're talking about dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, you're just not going to be able to get that without a prescription. This isn't a referral as such--you aren't going to see a specialist for diagnosis or treatment--it's a test, and tests aren't performed without a physician's order.

Many but not all specialists require a referral before they see patients for one of two reasons, possibly both. First, a patient who doesn't have a referral is less likely to have insurance, meaning they're less likely to get paid, which sucks. But second, unlike your family doctor, specialists basically do just the one thing, and they really don't want to be bothered with self-diagnosed patients who don't know what their symptoms actually mean. Requiring a referral is thus a way of screening out those patients who either need a different specialist or don't need a specialist at all.

What you're asking for is more like trying to find someone to give you prescription medication without a prescription. X-rays aren't all that dangerous, but they're not really good for you either, and responsible radiologists don't just go around giving them to anyone who asks for them. They want to see some indication that the procedure is medically necessary, and that means a doctor's order.

Tl;dr version: No, and there's a reason for it. There are plenty of places that will take cash on the barrel, but none of them will perform the study without a prescription.
posted by valkyryn at 12:50 PM on November 1, 2011 [1 favorite]