What a free MRI review is
A free MRI review is a courtesy screening. You send the spine MRI or CT you already have, along with its report, and Dr. Jonathan Hobbs looks at the actual images, not just the report. The office then calls you to explain whether a consultation makes sense, and what the realistic options may be.
The review is not a diagnosis or a medical consultation, and it does not replace an examination. There is no charge for the screening and insurance is not required for it. If a visit is recommended, normal appointment and coverage steps apply. See appointments and insurance.
Who this is for
- You have been told you need spine surgery and want another surgeon to look at the images first.
- You still have pain or new symptoms after a previous fusion or decompression. Related: persistent pain after back surgery and revision spine surgery.
- Your imaging report and your symptoms do not seem to match.
- You are traveling from the Chicago suburbs or Michigan and want to know whether the trip is worthwhile before you make it.
- You want to know whether a minimally invasive or navigated approach might apply to your case.
How it works
- Request the review. Call (219) 250-5010 and ask for a free MRI review.
- The office calls you within one business day to confirm your details and explain how to send your imaging.
- Send your imaging one of three ways: through a secure upload link the office sends you, by bringing or mailing the disc from your imaging center to the Crown Point office, or by asking your imaging center to send the study electronically. Include the written report and, if you have had surgery, the operative report.
- Dr. Hobbs reviews the images. The office calls you within two business days after the images arrive with his recommendation for the next step.
Request your free MRI review
Request by phone
Call (219) 250-5010 during office hours and ask for a free MRI review with Dr. Hobbs. The team will take your details and explain how to send your imaging.
Have your imaging center's name and the date of your scan handy when you call.
What to have ready
- Your most recent spine MRI or CT, ideally from the past 12 to 24 months, and its written report.
- Operative reports and any imaging taken after surgery, if you have had spine surgery.
- A short list of treatments you have tried, such as physical therapy, injections, or medications.
- Your main question: what you most want to know from the review.
If your symptoms are urgent
New loss of bowel or bladder control, numbness in the groin or inner thighs, rapidly worsening weakness, or severe pain after a fall or injury needs urgent evaluation. Call 911 or go to an emergency department rather than waiting for a review.
Common questions
Is the MRI review really free?
Yes. The screening review and the follow-up phone call are a courtesy of the practice. If you and the office decide a consultation is the right next step, that visit is scheduled and billed in the usual way.
Do I need a referral or a new MRI?
No referral is needed to request the review. Use the imaging you already have. Do not order new imaging because of this page; if more imaging would help, the office will tell you after the review.
What if I do not have my images?
Your imaging center or hospital can give you a disc or send the study electronically, usually within a few days. The office can tell you exactly what to ask for when it calls.
Is my information secure?
The request form collects only your name, contact details, and a few general answers. Images and reports are sent separately through a secure route the office gives you by phone, never through this public form. See the website privacy page.
How long does it take?
The office calls within one business day of your request. Once your images arrive, expect a call with the recommendation within two business days.
Will Dr. Hobbs call me himself?
Dr. Hobbs reviews every study personally. The follow-up call usually comes from his clinical team so he can stay in clinic and the operating room, and the team can schedule a consultation on the spot if one is recommended.
Can I request a second opinion instead?
A free MRI review is the fastest way to start one. Read more about second-opinion consultations, or call (219) 250-5010 to schedule directly.