River Ranch Radiology

After reading some not-​so-​great reviews of this place, it made me a little nervous that I was scheduled to get an MRI done at this location. However, those nerves were very quickly taken away the moment I stepped into the office! The women behind the desk were so kind and hospitable. I went around Christmas so there was soft Christmas music playing in the background while I filled out my paperwork. My appointment was at 11, I got there at 10:45 to fill out paperwork, and the moment I was done, my name was being called to start my MRI. This location allows you to watch a movie during your MRI through these really great movie goggles! They had a long list of movies to choose from — I chose Elf :) The lady who did my MRI was also incredibly kind and made me feel at ease (I’m a little claustrophobic). My experience was great and I’m very thankful! I would definitely recommend this location to anyone.

Do yourself a favor: go somewhere else. My experience with this place started when I woke up with vision loss and my doctor requested a stat spinal tap due to swelling in my brain and this was the only place that could get me in. My appointment was for 2:00, I got there at 1:45, and waited and waited and waited. Person after person was walking in, getting called back, and leaving and I finally mentioned how long I had been waiting to the front desk. When I waited another 30 minutes (it was almost 4:00 at this point), I asked the receptionist again why I had been waiting for so long, and finally I got called back after she spoke with the tech. Once I was in the back with the tech, he told me that he is «just one person,» that he «hates add-​ins» (AKA me, the awful person who needed stat tests because their brain is swollen), and told me that I’m mad at him and my procedure takes too long so he was squeezing everyone else in before me. Basically, making me feel guilty for asking why I had been waiting TWO HOURS. After this he made me wait even longer to fit in a few more people who were «quicker» than me and I finally got my procedure done after being there for almost 5 hours.
Over the next few days after the procedure, I developed a spinal headache from the spinal tap (happens to some people, I was warned about this) and was told to call them if this happens. I called 4 times over 5 hours until finally someone got me to the nurse, who was in a rush to get me off of the phone (they were almost closing, of course), and she told me to come in the next afternoon. That next day, my headache was significantly better and I called to ask that nurse for advice on whether or not to come back in, and she told me I should continue bed rest and not come in. Having missed work that day because I was expecting an appointment plus I had this horrible headache, I called again to ask for a doctor’s note. I was put on hold for about 15 minutes, transferred to 3 different people, and was told that they wouldn’t write me a doctor’s note because I «hadn’t visited the clinic» that day. I ended up having to speak to multiple people until I was transferred to the same nurse who cancelled my appointment, and she reluctantly and rudely wrote me a doctor’s note after questioning me about why I needed one. Seriously? I had a spinal headache, was told BY YOU to be on bed rest, had an appointment that was canceled only 2 hours before it was supposed to happen due to YOUR SUGGESTION and you’re going to question why I need a note telling my job why I missed? I didn’t think my experience with this place could get any worse than the first day there, but clearly that’s not the case. Spare yourself, do NOT go here.

My pain management doctor referred me to get my shoulder and back MRI, and they insisted on only doing the back MRI. Maybe it was their backed up schedule, but now I need to go back and get my shoulder one done. So my pain management has been delayed by a month. If you are looking for a care for a pain management doctor, it is pretty serious.
This is no way to treat a patient, and whoever is looking for a radiology scanning done, I would highly recommend them against it.

Summary: While they make mistakes sometimes in quoting prices the discrepancies in my case were small and their radiologist is well regarded by my specialist.
I was quoted a price by this facility and by another facility. Based on the two estimates, I chose River Ranch. At the time of the procedure, I was given a different, higher price. The amount quoted at the time of the procedure was also later increased by about $ 100 due to rare changes in insurance company policies after I’d already paid, I was told. It may have been explained to me that this amount was an estimate, or maybe it wasn’t. They did spend probably close to an hour patiently explaining to me over the phone the new fees. They said they’d swallow the price discrepancy. I asked them to charge me the $ 100 and they said no. But then, weeks later, after I’d written the first version of this review, I got a bill in the mail for $ 63. No explanation was provided. So, for one procedure, I’ve been given three prices

G’Day Mr. Shutt and Ms. Thompson,
I just had a number of x-​rays taken by Paul Mullens. In short, what a great experience. He is clearly very knowledgeable and took the time to explain the reason and context of each picture and the anatomical and physiological significance. As a long time athlete I fully appreciate his desire for perfectionism and accuracy. I also appreciate the courtesy of Ashley your receptionist who also displayed a very thorough and exact approach to her work.
In a world that rewards high volume mediocrity more and more, to see people relishing in their chosen roles and professions to be the best they can be should be acknowledged, recognized and rewarded. At no time is this more important and more necessary than now.
Please pass on my thanks to Paul and Ashley and you can be sure I will come to River Ranch whenever I need your services in the future. And please encourage these fine examples of enthusiastic professionalism.
Kind Regards
Michael.M

This review is only for a phone call conversation on 3−6−13, not for service or medical care. I am calling Radiology businesses in the area and asking for information to make a decision of where to go.
They were cooperative with the following information: if they are in network with my insurance, if all their doctors and machines were in network, what their CPT code for bi lateral breast MRI with contrast is and if they have any other items they bill or code for, what their tax ID or number they use to identify them when I call my insurance, lastly what age and type of MRI they use for bi lateral breast MRI.
Because their MRI is used only to detect ruptures (of implants), their services are not what I need.

I can’t warn you enough. I have been trying to book appointments for the past 3 weeks. For the past two appointments, they have called the day of the appointment to cancel on me. I should institute my own cancellation fee!
I am finding a lab that knows how to use a calendar effectively…

Can’t say enough good things. Referred by Austin Sports Medicine for an MRI. My call to schedule an appt was received by a very helpful and friendly member of the staff who explained the MRI options — open, feet first, etc over the phone and made me feel very at ease with the process. The when I arrived for my appt the reception staff was also very friendly and helpful. and finally, the stars of the office were definitely ROY and DEREK — great guys who really helped me manage my anxiety over getting the MRI. They made me feel at ease and I managed to get through the entire thing. Would definitely go back to this location for future imaging. Also, lot parking (free!) and easy access to building makes it a breeze to get in and out.