Imaging & Radiology

At Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, we are proud to offer a full-service imaging and radiology department with state-of-the-art services in plain X-rays, mammography, computed tomography (CT), positron emission tomography computed tomography (PET/CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear medicine, ultrasound, and interventional radiology.

We’re committed to creating a comfortable experience for you in our diagnostic imaging centers to help relieve stress and anxiety. From basic X-rays to advanced interventional radiology, our specialists provide you with a high-quality, safe experience. Our board-certified imaging experts combine their specialized training with our state-of-the-art technology and equipment to offer leading-edge diagnostic imaging and interventional radiology, which includes a variety of minimally invasive, targeted treatments.

Virginia Mason Franciscan Health offers the following imaging and radiology services.

• Computed tomography (CT)
• Positron emission tomography computed tomography (PET/CT)
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) 
• Interventional radiology
• Mammography
• Ultrasound
• X-ray imaging     
• Nuclear medicine

The American College of Radiology has recognized Virginia Mason Franciscan Health facilities for excellence in breast imaging:

• The Carol Milgard Breast Center in Tacoma is designated as a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence
• St. Michael Imaging Center Silverdale is accredited as a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence
• The Franciscan Breast Center in Burien is designated as a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence 
• Additional ACR-accredited mammography facilities include the Milgard Medical Pavilion at St. Anthony Hospital, St. Elizabeth Mammography Enumclaw, Virginia Mason Breast Imaging Center—Seattle.

Some insurance companies or plans require prior authorization before a patient is able to have an imaging exam. This means the insurance company may require chart notes from your doctor’s office to ensure the exam being ordered is necessary. In most cases, we will work with your doctor to get the insurance company the information it needs to make its determination.

If your insurance company requires authorization but decides not to grant it for your exam (denies coverage), the insurance company will typically not pay for the cost of the exam—even if your deductible has been met. We encourage all patients to find out from their insurance company whether the exam they need is covered, and whether an authorization is required ahead of time.

For elective (not medically urgent) MRI and CT studies, we must schedule your exam at least five business days from the date it was ordered. This allows us time to work with your insurance company to obtain prior authorization and prevents patients from receiving an unexpected medical bill.

No matter where you are, you won’t need to travel far to find our imaging and radiology services. Many of our locations offer extended hours, including evenings and weekends. And our inpatient imaging services are provided seven days a week, 24 hours a day.