Diagnostic imaging appointments in Ontario require a valid health card and a signed requisition from a licensed healthcare provider for OHIP-covered services. What else you bring depends on the type of imaging and your clinical history. Preparing everything the day before avoids check-in delays and ensures your appointment can proceed as scheduled.
Why Preparation Matters for Imaging Appointments
Imaging facilities operate on scheduled appointment times. A missing requisition, expired health card, or incomplete preparation can prevent the scan from proceeding and may require you to rebook. At Well Diagnostics, a missed appointment results in a cancellation fee and notification to your referring healthcare provider; which adds an administrative step before your care can continue.
Bringing all required documents also ensures the radiologist has accurate clinical context when reviewing your images. Prior imaging records help identify changes over time and reduce the chance of a finding being misclassified as new when it has been present and stable for years.
What to Bring to a Diagnostic Imaging Appointment
Valid Provincial Health Card
A current health card is required at every OHIP-covered appointment. The Well Diagnostics test preparation guide states that a valid health card is required for all services at check-in. If your card is expired or lost, obtain a replacement before your appointment; your OHIP coverage cannot be verified without it, and you may be billed for services that would otherwise be covered.
Signed Physician Requisition
All OHIP-covered imaging at Well Diagnostics requires a signed requisition from a certified Ontario healthcare provider. This includes ultrasound, X-ray, mammography, bone density, echocardiogram, Holter monitor, and pulmonary function testing. Well
Diagnostics accepts requisitions from any certified Ontario healthcare facility, including hospitals, family medicine offices, walk-in clinics, and community health centres. Download and print a blank requisition from the Well Diagnostics website if your physician has not yet provided one, and bring it to your doctor for signature before your appointment.
Required Documents and Identification
The following items are required or strongly recommended for all diagnostic imaging appointments.
- Provincial health card: Required for OHIP coverage at every appointment; confirm it has not expired before attending.
- Signed requisition: Your physician’s signed referral form for the specific test being performed.
- Photo identification: Some facilities request photo ID alongside your health card for administrative verification.
- Medication list: A written list of current medications, including supplements and over-the-counter products, if clinically relevant to your scan type.
- Previous imaging records: Any prior reports or images related to the area being scanned; bring these if you have had relevant imaging done elsewhere.
- Referral letter: If your physician provided a clinical summary or referral letter with your requisition, bring that as well.
Requisition and Referral Requirements
Ontario’s OHIP-covered diagnostic imaging services require the requisition to include your referring provider’s name, CPSO number, clinic address, and the specific test being ordered. An incomplete or unsigned requisition cannot be accepted, and the clinic will contact your physician to obtain a valid one, which delays your appointment. If your physician e-faxed or transmitted the requisition directly to the clinic in advance, confirm this with the clinic when booking so both you and the facility know what documentation is on file.
Arrival and Check-In Process
The Well Diagnostics test preparation guide instructs all patients to arrive 15 minutes before their scheduled appointment. This time is used for check-in, identity verification, and any last-minute preparation questions specific to your scan. If your scan requires specific preparation such as a full bladder or fasting, arriving on time is especially important; beginning the preparation late can affect image quality.
- Arrive 15 minutes early: Standard across all Well Diagnostics locations for all imaging appointment types.
- Bring your caregiver if needed: If you have mobility concerns, ask someone to accompany and assist you.
- Confirm preparation steps in advance: Review the Well Diagnostics Test Preparation Guide for your specific scan type before the day of your appointment.
- Bring something to read: Depending on facility volume, there may be a brief wait before your appointment room is ready.
What Happens If Documents Are Missing
If you arrive without a valid health card, the facility may need to bill you directly, or your appointment may need to be rebooked once the card is renewed. If the requisition is missing, the clinic staff will attempt to contact your referring physician to obtain one electronically. This delays your appointment and may require rebooking if the requisition cannot be confirmed in time. Bringing all documents on the day avoids these situations entirely.
Key Takeaways
- Health card is non-negotiable: OHIP-covered imaging cannot be processed without a valid provincial health card.
- Requisitions must be signed: An unsigned or incomplete referral will delay your appointment and may require you to rebook.
- Arrive 15 minutes early: Check-in time is separate from your appointment time; account for it when planning your travel.
- Prior imaging adds clinical context: Previous reports or images from other facilities help the radiologist assess change over time.
- Preparation varies by scan type: Review the test-specific instructions in the Well Diagnostics preparation guide before your appointment day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I do not have a physician’s requisition?
Without a signed requisition from a licensed Ontario healthcare provider, OHIP-covered imaging cannot proceed. If you do not have a family physician, you can visit a walk-in clinic, community health centre, or nurse practitioner to obtain one. The Well Diagnostics website provides a downloadable blank requisition that your provider can sign.
Can I bring a copy of my requisition instead of the original?
Many clinics accept a faxed or electronically transmitted requisition, and some accept a clear photograph or PDF of the signed document. Contact your specific imaging clinic before your appointment to confirm what format they accept. If in doubt, bring the original signed copy; this is always acceptable.
What if my health card expires before my appointment?
Contact Service Ontario to renew your health card as soon as possible. If your card expires before your appointment date, contact the imaging clinic to advise them and confirm what documentation they need to hold your booking. Some facilities can verify your OHIP status through other means in the short term; ask directly when you call.
A Prepared Patient Saves Time for Everyone
Arriving with valid identification, a signed requisition, and any relevant prior imaging is the single most effective way to ensure your appointment proceeds without delay. The check-in process at most diagnostic imaging facilities takes only a few minutes when all documents are in order. If you have any questions about what your specific scan requires, contact the imaging clinic or review the test preparation guide before your appointment day.
Where to Book Your Diagnostic Imaging Appointment in Ontario and Alberta
WELL Health Diagnostic Centres operates 50+ accredited locations across Ontario and Alberta. Find your nearest clinic below, or use the location finder at welldiagnostics.ca/locations/.
