Diagnostic Radiology at OU Health: Imaging Services Across Oklahoma City
OU Health's diagnostic radiology department provides cross-sectional imaging, fluoroscopy, general radiography, and advanced interventional services across multiple Oklahoma City locations, anchored by the flagship program at OU Medical Center and supplemented by outpatient imaging centers that serve different parts of the metro area.
What OU Health Diagnostic Radiology actually is
OU Health operates the largest academic radiology practice in Oklahoma City, with board-certified radiologists and fellowship-trained specialists covering cardiothoracic, neuroradiology, musculoskeletal, abdominal, and interventional subspecialties. The main facility is housed within OU Medical Center in central Oklahoma City; outpatient imaging centers are located in southwest Oklahoma City (near Midwest City) and other metro corridors, allowing patients to avoid the main hospital campus for routine scans. The practice accepts both hospital-referred and direct-access patients, though insurance and referring-physician status determine whether a direct referral is needed.
Services and pricing structure
OU Health provides CT, MRI, ultrasound, digital radiography, mammography, bone density scans, and image-guided interventions including biopsies and joint injections. Pricing varies sharply by service and insurance status. A CT chest without contrast typically costs $800 to $1,200 if uninsured; an MRI brain runs $1,500 to $2,500 out of pocket. Insured patients pay copays or coinsurance based on their plan; Medicare rates for common studies (chest X-ray, abdomen CT) run 20% to 30% lower than commercial rates. Ask about cash-pay discounts before scheduling if uninsured; OU Health sometimes reduces self-pay bills by 20% to 30% for upfront payment. Verification of current rates is advisable, as Medicare and commercial fees change annually.
Comparison to other Oklahoma City radiology options
Integris Health and Mercy Health operate competing radiology networks with outpatient centers throughout Oklahoma City, often with shorter wait times for routine imaging because they operate outside the academic hospital system. Integris centers in Edmond and northwest Oklahoma City frequently accommodate same-day or next-day appointments for non-emergent CT and ultrasound; OU Health's outpatient imaging centers typically have 2- to 7-day waits for non-urgent studies. Imaging centers operated by independent radiologist groups (such as those based in Nichols Hills) often undercut hospital system prices by 15% to 25% on cash-pay studies. Choose OU Health if your insurer has strong in-network rates or if you need complex imaging (multimodal workups, advanced neuroradiology) with academic radiology expertise; choose Integris if speed and convenient locations matter more; choose independent imaging centers if you are uninsured and price-sensitive.
Who this suits and who it does not
OU Health diagnostic radiology is best for patients with complex diagnostic questions, those whose insurers reimburse OU Health at favorable rates, and anyone referred by OU physicians (cardiothoracic surgery, neurosurgery) who benefit from tight coordination. It is less suitable for patients seeking rapid turnaround on routine studies, those on tight budgets without insurance, or those in south or east Oklahoma City who find Integris or independent centers geographically closer.
What the first visit involves
If referred by a physician, call the relevant outpatient imaging center (the phone number will be on your referral) to schedule. Bring your insurance card, photo ID, and any prior imaging or reports from other facilities. Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early for check-in. For CT or MRI, you may be asked to change into a gown and remove metal items; ultrasound requires no special preparation unless fasting is specified by your radiologist. The scan itself takes 15 to 45 minutes depending on the study. Results are typically available within 24 to 72 hours; a radiologist interprets the images and sends a report to your referring physician. If you are self-referred (for direct-access ultrasound or X-ray in some states), check with the center beforehand, as Oklahoma may require a physician order for certain studies.
Hours, parking, and logistics
OU Medical Center's main radiology department operates Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday 8 a.m. to noon for scheduled studies; limited walk-in emergency imaging is available 24/7 through the ER. Outpatient imaging centers operate Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., with some sites offering limited Saturday hours. Paid parking is available at OU Medical Center ($3 for up to 2 hours, $6 daily maximum) and is free at most outpatient imaging centers. MRI wait times can extend to 2 weeks for non-urgent studies during peak demand; CT and ultrasound are usually available within one week. Verify current hours before traveling, especially for weekend or early-morning needs.
OU Health's scale and academic credentials give it an edge in complex cases, but its hospital-system overhead and appointment bottlenecks make it a practical choice mainly for insured patients and those whose medical complexity justifies the wait.
