Medical Transportation for MRI, CT Scans, and Imaging Appointments in NJ

Why Patients Need NEMT for Imaging Appointments

A medical imaging appointment may seem straightforward — the patient simply lies in a scanner — but several factors frequently make independent transportation impossible or unsafe for imaging patients in New Jersey:

• Sedation for MRI: Patients with claustrophobia, anxiety, or who cannot hold still during a lengthy MRI may receive oral sedation (typically a benzodiazepine) before the scan. Sedation prevents driving for at least 24 hours and impairs safe walking and decision-making after the procedure.
• IV contrast agents: While most patients receive gadolinium (MRI contrast) or iodinated contrast (CT contrast) without significant incident, all patients who receive IV contrast are observed for allergic reactions. Patients with prior contrast reactions or contrast allergies receiving pre-medication may be more affected, and many imaging centers recommend against driving post-contrast.
• IV conscious sedation for procedures: Cardiac catheterization, nuclear medicine scans, certain PET-CT procedures, and interventional radiology procedures performed in imaging suites involve IV sedation that always requires accompanied transportation.
• Mobility limitations: Patients who use wheelchairs, walkers, or who have balance impairments need accessible transport regardless of what is happening during the scan itself.
• Anxiety and cognitive limitations: Patients with dementia or significant anxiety disorders may not safely navigate public transit or rideshare to and from imaging facilities.

Delta Medical Transportation provides NEMT for imaging appointments at standalone imaging centers and hospital radiology departments throughout New Jersey. Contact us to book, or see our service area.

Types of Imaging That Most Often Require NEMT

MRI — Especially with Oral Sedation

Closed MRI (the traditional tunnel-style scanner) causes significant claustrophobic distress for many patients. When oral sedation is administered to enable the patient to tolerate the scan, transportation assistance is required both for the trip to the imaging center and — critically — for the trip home after sedation. The patient cannot be left to arrange transportation after receiving sedation medication.

Some patients specifically choose open MRI to avoid the need for sedation. However, open MRI machines have lower field strength and may not be adequate for all diagnostic purposes. If your ordering physician requires closed MRI, plan for transportation to and from the appointment.

Nuclear Medicine and PET Scans

Nuclear medicine imaging (bone scans, HIDA scans, V/Q scans, thyroid scans) and PET-CT scans involve the injection of radioactive tracers that require a waiting period of 30–90 minutes before imaging. The total appointment time is typically 2–4 hours. Patients are generally ambulatory and do not receive sedation for standard nuclear medicine scans, but mobility limitations may make NEMT appropriate regardless.

Cardiac Catheterization

Cardiac catheterization (both diagnostic and interventional) is performed in a cardiac catheterization laboratory using IV sedation and/or IV contrast. Post-procedure, the patient has a compression bandage at the arterial access site and must rest for several hours. Transportation is always required after cardiac catheterization — patients cannot drive. If the procedure was interventional (stent placement, balloon angioplasty), the patient may require wheelchair transport post-procedure.

Fluoroscopy and Interventional Radiology

Procedures performed under fluoroscopic guidance (myelograms, arthrography, barium studies requiring preparation) and interventional radiology procedures (biopsies, drain placements, embolizations) vary in sedation requirements. Confirm with the proceduralist whether transport is required post-procedure.

Open vs. Closed MRI: Positioning and Transport Considerations

Some patients who use wheelchairs or who cannot be safely positioned supine for extended periods may face challenges with standard MRI protocols. If your patient:

• Cannot transfer from wheelchair to MRI table safely — coordinate with the imaging center in advance about transfer assistance
• Cannot remain supine for the MRI duration due to pain or respiratory issues — discuss positioning accommodations with the radiologist
• Uses a power wheelchair that is MRI-incompatible — a manual loaner wheelchair or transfer bench is required at the imaging center

Delta can transport patients in a range of mobility configurations to MRI facilities. Let us know if the patient will need a manual chair upon arrival at the imaging center so we can bring an appropriate chair if needed.

Standalone Imaging Centers in New Jersey

New Jersey has a robust network of outpatient imaging centers in addition to hospital-based radiology departments. Major imaging networks and centers include:

• NJ Brain & Spine / American Radiology Services — multiple NJ locations
• New Jersey Brain and Spine Institute (NJBI) — NJ open MRI and imaging locations
• RadNet — multiple NJ outpatient imaging centers
• Atlantic Medical Imaging — Galloway, Cape May Court House, and other South Jersey locations
• Hospital-based outpatient radiology at RWJBarnabas, Hackensack Meridian, Atlantic Health, Virtua, and Inspira health systems

Delta Medical Transportation is familiar with the pickup and drop-off protocols at imaging centers throughout NJ. See our service area to confirm we serve your imaging center's location.

What to Tell Your Dispatcher When Booking Imaging Transport

When booking NEMT for an imaging appointment, provide the following information:

• Type of imaging (MRI, CT, PET, nuclear medicine, cardiac cath, etc.)
• Whether sedation will be administered (yes/no and type if known)
• Whether IV contrast will be administered
• Estimated total appointment duration (so return transport can be timed accurately)
• Patient's mobility level and equipment (wheelchair, walker, etc.)
• Whether the patient needs help transferring from wheelchair to scanner table (imaging center will provide this; we just need to know for overall context)
• One-way or round-trip

Medicaid Coverage for Imaging Transport

NJ FamilyCare covers NEMT to medically necessary imaging appointments for enrolled Medicaid members. Prior authorization is required through the MCO. Note that authorization for the imaging study itself (from the MCO) and authorization for transportation (from the MCO's transportation benefit) are separate processes — both may require advance notice.