Medicare imaging at Precise. What you need to know.
Precise Imaging accepts Medicare assignment. Part B covers outpatient MRI, CT, ultrasound, and X-ray when medically necessary. This page answers the questions most Medicare patients ask before their first visit.
Part B covers outpatient imaging at Precise.
Medicare Part B is the outpatient benefit — it covers diagnostic imaging performed at our centers when ordered by a Medicare-enrolled provider and deemed medically necessary. The four studies below are all covered under Part B.
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
Part B covers outpatient MRI when medically necessary and ordered by a Medicare-enrolled provider. Common covered studies include brain, spine, joint, and abdominal MRI.
CT (Computed Tomography)
CT scans of the head, chest, abdomen, and pelvis are covered under Part B for medically indicated indications — including CT angiography when ordered appropriately.
Ultrasound
Diagnostic ultrasound — including abdominal, pelvic, vascular, and echocardiography — is covered when medically necessary and ordered by your provider.
X-Ray (Radiography)
Standard diagnostic X-rays of any body part are covered under Part B when ordered by your physician or other qualified provider.
Coverage is subject to Medicare's medical-necessity criteria and your provider's documented clinical indication. Coverage for a specific study is confirmed at the time of billing.
Two different programs. Two different processes.
Understanding which type of Medicare you have matters before you book — it determines your benefits, your cost-sharing, and whether we are in your network.
Original Medicare (Parts A & B)
- Administered directly by the federal government
- Precise accepts Medicare assignment — we bill Medicare directly
- You owe 20% coinsurance after the annual Part B deductible
- No prior authorization required for most outpatient imaging
- Medigap supplement plans can cover your 20% coinsurance
Medicare Advantage (Part C)
- Managed by a private insurer approved by Medicare
- Each plan sets its own network — call to confirm your plan
- Copays and coinsurance vary by plan (often differ from Original Medicare)
- Prior authorization may be required — we handle this for you
- Network status varies by location; call 800-558-2223 to verify
How Original Medicare cost-sharing works.
We cannot quote your exact patient responsibility without verifying your benefits — cost-sharing depends on where you are in your deductible year and whether you have supplemental coverage. Here is how the general structure works.
Get a written estimate before you book. Call 800-558-2223 with your Medicare or Medicare Advantage card and we will verify your specific benefits and provide a written cost estimate before your appointment — no surprises at check-in.
We do not set Medicare reimbursement rates — those are determined by the federal government's physician fee schedule. We can only estimate your patient responsibility based on the standard cost-sharing rules and your plan's benefit structure.
What to bring to your appointment.
Arriving prepared helps us verify your benefits quickly and keeps your check-in smooth.
Your Medicare card
Bring your red, white, and blue Original Medicare card — or your Medicare Advantage plan card if you're enrolled in Part C. We cannot bill Medicare without it.
Your doctor's written order
Medicare requires a written order from your physician, NP, or other qualified Medicare-enrolled provider. Your doctor's office may fax it ahead — confirm with them before your appointment.
Medigap or supplemental card (if you have one)
If you have a Medigap supplement or secondary insurance, bring that card too. It may cover your 20% Part B coinsurance, reducing or eliminating your out-of-pocket cost.
Arrive 15 minutes early to allow time for paperwork and insurance verification. If you have prior imaging or relevant records, bring those on disc or have your provider send them ahead — the radiologist may reference them.
Common Medicare imaging questions.
Does Medicare cover MRI, CT, or ultrasound?
Yes. Medicare Part B covers outpatient diagnostic imaging — including MRI, CT, ultrasound, and X-ray — when ordered by a Medicare-enrolled provider and deemed medically necessary. Precise Imaging accepts Medicare assignment, so you pay only your standard Part B cost-sharing (20% coinsurance after the annual deductible) and we bill the rest directly to Medicare.
Do I need a referral to get imaging with Medicare?
Medicare Part B does not require a formal referral in the HMO sense, but it does require a written order from a Medicare-enrolled physician, nurse practitioner, or other qualified provider. Most imaging studies also require that Medicare's medical-necessity criteria are met — your ordering provider will document the diagnosis code that supports the study. We handle the billing; you just need the order.
Does Precise Imaging accept Medicare Advantage plans?
We work with many Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans, but network status varies by plan and location. Medicare Advantage plans set their own networks — being enrolled in Medicare does not automatically mean we are in-network for your specific plan. Call us at 800-558-2223 with your Medicare Advantage card and we will verify your specific plan's network status and benefits before you book.
What will I owe out of pocket with Medicare?
Under Original Medicare (Part B), you typically owe 20% coinsurance after the annual Part B deductible ($257 in 2025) is met. We cannot quote your exact amount because it depends on your deductible status and whether you have a Medigap supplement policy that covers that 20%. Call us with your Medicare ID number and we will give you a written estimate of your expected patient responsibility before your appointment.
What should I bring to my imaging appointment if I have Medicare?
Bring your red, white, and blue Medicare card (or your Medicare Advantage plan card if you're enrolled in Part C), a government-issued photo ID, and the written order from your doctor. If you have a Medigap supplemental policy, bring that card too — it may cover your 20% coinsurance. Arrive 15 minutes early to allow time for paperwork and benefit verification.
More Medicare-related questions can be found under the Insurance tab on our FAQ page.
Plan the rest of your visit.
Ready to schedule? Let's verify your Medicare benefits first.
Our benefits team verifies Medicare and Medicare Advantage coverage in real time and provides a written cost estimate before you book — so you know exactly what to expect.