QT Imaging
3D Whole-Breast Ultrasound
Thank you for your interest in QT Imaging at Innovative Radiology. Below are answers to the questions our patients ask most often. If you have a question that is not answered here, please call us at 515-222-0550.
Cost, Insurance, and Payment
Is QT Imaging covered by insurance?
No. At this time, QT Imaging is not covered by health insurance. It is a self-pay exam, and payment is due at the time of service.
Because QT Imaging is self-pay, we do not need to verify insurance or obtain prior authorization for the QT exam itself.
How much does a QT scan cost?
The price depends on your breast history. Our scheduling team will ask a few questions and confirm your price before your appointment.
Screening QT: $500. This generally applies if you have no personal history of breast cancer, no current breast symptoms, and no recent abnormal breast imaging that is being followed up.
Diagnostic QT: $700. This generally applies if you have a personal history of breast cancer or precancerous findings, or if a recent breast imaging or screening result (including thermography or other breast screening) found an area that needs follow-up.
Prices are subject to change. Other exams, such as a mammogram, handheld breast ultrasound, or breast MRI, are separate from the QT price. Please call us at 515-222-0550 for current pricing.
What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept cash, check, and credit or debit cards. Many patients also use a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) card.
Your HSA or FSA plan administrator decides which expenses are eligible under your plan. If you are unsure, we recommend checking with your plan before your visit.
Do I need a referral or a doctor's order?
No. Because the QT exam is self-pay, you do not need a referral or order from a health care provider. You may call and schedule your own appointment.
If you would like your results sent to your health care provider, just give us their name when you schedule.
About QT Imaging
What is QT Imaging?
QT Imaging (you may also hear it called QT, QTI, a QT scan, or QT ultrasound) is a 3D whole-breast ultrasound exam. It uses low-frequency sound waves to create detailed three-dimensional images of the breast.
It does not use ionizing radiation (x-rays).
It does not compress the breast.
It does not require an injection of contrast dye.
The system is made by QT Imaging, Inc. and is FDA-cleared as a supplemental screening device for breast imaging. Innovative Radiology began offering QT Imaging in 2025.
Does QT Imaging replace a mammogram?
QT Imaging is FDA-cleared as a supplemental breast screening tool. It is not intended to replace mammography, and current national screening guidelines, including those of the American College of Radiology, continue to recommend mammography for breast cancer screening.
Some patients choose to have QT Imaging in addition to their mammogram. Other patients choose to have QT Imaging without a mammogram. We do not require a mammogram in order to have a QT exam. This is a personal decision, and we encourage both QTI and Mammography for optimal screening.
Please be aware that if a QT exam finds an area that needs a closer look, additional imaging may be recommended, and some providers or surgeons may require a mammogram as part of further evaluation or treatment planning.
I have dense breast tissue. Is QT Imaging a good option for me?
Dense breast tissue can make it harder to see some findings on a traditional mammogram. QT Imaging scans the whole breast using sound waves and may be especially useful as a supplemental screening option for women with dense breast tissue.
Is the exam safe? Does it hurt?
QT Imaging is non-invasive. It uses no ionizing radiation, no compression, and no contrast injection. Patients generally describe the exam as comfortable. You lie face down on a padded table while one breast at a time rests in a tank of warm water.
As with any exam, please tell our staff right away if you feel any discomfort during your scan.
Who should not have a QT exam? Is there an age requirement?
QT Imaging is for adults age 18 and older. When you schedule, our staff will ask you a short set of screening questions. You may not be able to have the exam, or we may need additional review first, if any of the following apply to you:
You are pregnant or breastfeeding.
You have an implanted electronic or magnetic device, such as a pacemaker, defibrillator, or loop recorder.
You have open wounds, sores, or rashes on your breast.
You are allergic or sensitive to chlorine, isopropyl alcohol, or adhesives.
You are not able to lie flat on your stomach for about 30 minutes.
Your height, weight, or breast size is outside the limits of the equipment. We will ask for your height and weight when you schedule.
Can I have a QT exam if I have breast implants (augmentation)?
Yes. Please tell us when you schedule that you have implants and whether they are saline or silicone.
How is QT Imaging different from a regular (handheld) breast ultrasound?
Both use sound waves. A QT exam scans the entire breast in 3D and is used for screening. A handheld breast ultrasound is performed by a technologist and focuses on a specific area of the breast. Handheld ultrasound is a diagnostic exam, which means it is used when there is a symptom (such as a lump) or when another exam has found an area that needs a closer look.
Innovative Radiology does not offer handheld breast ultrasound as a routine screening exam. A handheld ultrasound is performed when there is a clinical reason for it.
I have a lump or other breast symptom. Should I schedule a QT exam?
Please tell us about any breast symptoms when you call. QT Imaging is a screening exam. If you have a lump, pain in a specific area, or another symptom, we will typically recommend a diagnostic exam, such as a handheld ultrasound of that area, in addition to or instead of the QT exam. Diagnostic exams may be billed to insurance if you have an order from your health care provider, or they may be paid as self-pay.
If you have a new or worsening breast symptom, we also encourage you to contact your health care provider. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911.
Who reads my QT exam?
Your QT exam is read by a board-certified radiologist who has completed specialized training in interpreting QT images. The radiologist compares your QT images with your prior breast imaging whenever it is available.
Scheduling and Your Visit
How do I schedule a QT exam?
Call us at 515-222-0550, or submit an appointment request through our website and our team will call you back. We will go over a few screening questions, confirm your price, and find a time that works for you.
For your privacy, please do not send symptoms, test results, or other medical details through the website form or by email. We are happy to discuss those over the phone.
How soon can I get in?
We are often able to schedule QT exams within a few days, although availability can vary. You are also welcome to schedule weeks or months ahead if that works better for you.
What days and times are QT exams available?
QT exams are generally available Monday through Friday, with morning and afternoon appointments. Appointment times typically range from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
How long will my appointment take?
Plan to be at our office for about 45 minutes to 1 hour in total.
The scan itself takes about 10 to 15 minutes per breast. Time can vary depending on breast size. Both breasts are scanned.
Please arrive 10 to 15 minutes early to complete paperwork and payment.
If you are having other exams on the same day (such as a mammogram or MRI), please plan for additional time.
Where are you located?
Innovative Radiology, 7601 Office Plaza Drive, Suite 115, West Des Moines, Iowa 50266. We are located near Jordan Creek Parkway, just off the interstate. We will send you a text message reminder with your appointment time and our address.
I am traveling from out of town. Do I need to stay overnight?
For a routine screening QT exam, most patients complete their visit in one trip and do not need to stay overnight. QT images take about 24 hours to process, so results are not available the same day. We will call you with your results once they are final.
If you have a current breast symptom or a known area that is being followed up, please let us know when you schedule. Depending on your situation, we may recommend additional imaging and, in some cases, suggest planning for a possible second day so that any needed follow-up can be completed before you return home.
If you would like a list of nearby hotels, just ask when you schedule.
Can I schedule my appointment with a friend or family member?
Yes. Each person will need to call to complete their own screening questions and scheduling. Let us know you would like appointments on the same day and we will do our best to coordinate.
Can I have a mammogram and a QT exam at the same visit?
Yes. We offer mammography, breast ultrasound, breast MRI, and QT Imaging, and many of these can be scheduled on the same day. A mammogram may be billed to your insurance, subject to your plan’s coverage. The QT exam remains self-pay.
What if I need to cancel or reschedule?
Please call us at 515-222-0550 as soon as possible if you need to cancel or reschedule.
Results and Follow-Up
When will I get my results?
QT images take about 24 hours to process before the radiologist can review them. Because these studies are detailed and are compared with your prior imaging, please allow 7 to 10 business days for your final report. Holidays and delays in receiving prior imaging from other facilities may add time.
How will I receive my results?
A member of our team will call you to review your results once the report is final.
We will mail you a copy of your report.
If you give us the name of your health care provider, we will send the report to them as well.
We also have a patient portal you can request access to.
If follow-up is recommended, our team will explain the next steps and help you schedule any additional imaging.
What happens if the QT exam finds something?
A biopsy cannot be performed using the QT scanner. If the radiologist sees an area that needs a closer look, they will recommend additional imaging, such as a diagnostic mammogram, handheld ultrasound, or breast MRI. If a biopsy is needed after that additional imaging, it would be performed using one of those methods.
In some cases, the radiologist may recommend a follow-up exam in a few months to confirm that an area is stable.
Innovative Radiology offers these additional exams and biopsy services. You may also choose to have any follow-up care closer to home.
Can I take my results to a doctor or imaging center closer to home?
Yes. Your QT report is written in the same format as other breast imaging reports, and we can send it to the provider of your choice. Because QT Imaging is a newer technology, some facilities may not be able to view the QT images themselves and may recommend their own imaging.
Can I get a copy of my images?
Yes. QT images can be provided on a USB drive upon request. Images from other exams, such as mammograms, ultrasounds, and MRIs, can be viewed through our patient portal. Ask our staff if you would like help signing up for the portal.
How often should I have a QT exam?
Many patients choose to have a QT exam once a year as part of their routine breast screening. Your radiologist may recommend a different schedule based on your results and history. We encourage you to discuss your screening schedule with your health care provider.
Preparing for Your Exam
Do I need to send my prior breast images?
No. When you schedule, just tell us where you have had breast imaging in the past 5 years (mammograms, ultrasounds, MRIs, previous QT exams, thermography, or other breast screening). We will contact those facilities and request your images and reports.
Comparing your QT exam with your prior imaging helps the radiologist provide the most complete report. If we have trouble obtaining your records, we will let you know. If your prior imaging was done under a different name, please tell us.
How should I prepare for my QT exam?
Wear a two-piece outfit so you only need to remove your top.
Avoid lotion, powder, and deodorant on your chest and underarms. If you forget, we will provide a wipe to remove them.
You may eat and drink normally before your exam.
Have the names of the facilities where you had prior breast imaging ready when you schedule.
Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early to complete paperwork and payment.
What happens during the exam?
You will change into a gown in a private room.
Our technologist may place a few small adhesive markers on the breast.
You will lie face down on a padded exam table. One breast at a time rests in an opening in the table, in a tank of warm water.
The scanner moves around the breast to capture images. You will be asked to lie still during the scan.
The process is repeated for the other breast.
The water in the scanner is maintained and replaced on a regular schedule according to the manufacturer’s infection control guidelines.
This information is provided for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It does not replace the advice of your health care provider. Decisions about breast screening should be made with your health care provider. Prices, policies, and availability are subject to change. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911.
Innovative Radiology, LLC
7601 Office Plaza Drive, Suite 115, West Des Moines, Iowa 50266
Phone: 515-222-0550