Finding a reliable spot for medical imaging in Manhattan can feel like a part-time job. You want high-tech machines, but you also don't want to be treated like a number in a factory. Lenox Hill Radiology Madison Avenue Medical Imaging is one of those places people talk about—sometimes for the high-end tech, sometimes because navigating Midtown is just a headache. Located at 240 Madison Avenue, right between 37th and 38th Streets, this facility is basically a cornerstone for diagnostic care in the area.
Let's be real. If your doctor sends you for an MRI or a mammogram, you’re already a little stressed. The last thing you need is a confusing check-in process or a waiting room that feels like a bus station.
The Reality of Imaging at 240 Madison Avenue
Most people assume all radiology centers are the same. They aren't. This specific location, tucked into the 2nd floor of the Syndicate Trading Company building, is actually a specialized hub within the massive RadNet network. It isn't just a satellite office for basic X-rays.
It's a full-service operation.
They handle everything from 3D Mammography to 1.5T MRI and Calcium Scoring. If you're looking for the fancy "Wide-Open" 3T MRI units, you usually have to look at their other sites like East 77th or East 95th, but the Madison Avenue office is the workhorse for Midtown professionals and residents. Honestly, it’s the convenience that wins people over. You can literally go for a CT scan and be back at your desk in Grand Central territory before your lunch break is over.
What they actually offer there:
- MRI (1.5T): Standard, high-resolution imaging for joints, spine, and brain.
- CT Scans: Fast, detailed cross-sections.
- 3D Mammography: This is huge. It detects significantly more invasive cancers than the old-school 2D versions.
- Ultrasound: General and specialty scans (though usually not the high-risk OB stuff, which they send to their Maternal Fetal units).
- X-ray: The classic. They actually take walk-ins for these most of the time.
- Calcium Scoring: A quick heart scan to see if you’re at risk for a heart attack.
Why the "Lenox Hill" Name Can Be Confusing
Here is what most people get wrong. Lenox Hill Radiology (LHR) is not the same thing as Lenox Hill Hospital. While they are affiliated in terms of the name and local reputation, LHR is a private outpatient network.
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Why does this matter?
Money.
Hospital-based imaging is notoriously expensive. If you get an MRI inside a hospital, your "facility fee" might be double or triple what you’d pay at a standalone center like Madison Avenue. This location is a "low-cost provider." They participate with almost every major insurance—Aetna, Blue Cross, United Healthcare, even the specific ones like Oscar or Emblem.
A lot of patients don't realize that they have a choice. If your doctor writes a script and says "Go to the hospital," you can usually call up 212-772-3111 and ask if they can do it at the Madison Avenue office instead. You’ll likely save a few hundred bucks on your deductible.
The Patient Experience: The Good and the Frustrating
Walk into the 2nd floor at 240 Madison and it’s... fine. It's clean. It's professional.
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Reviews for this location are actually pretty solid for a New York medical office, hovering around a 4.7 average recently. People like the technicians. Staff members like Sean and Manmeet often get mentioned for being "human" and actually explaining what’s happening.
But it’s not perfect.
The biggest gripe? The paperwork. Even if you fill everything out online, there’s sometimes a disconnect when you show up. Pro tip: Screenshot your confirmation or bring the paper script. It saves you ten minutes of arguing at the front desk.
Wait times are usually minimal—most people report being in and out in under an hour for an MRI—but if the machines are running behind, Midtown traffic and "Midtown pace" can make a 15-minute delay feel like an eternity.
Navigating Insurance and Billing
The billing department for the whole LHR network is centralized. If you have a question about a bill from the Madison Avenue office, you aren't calling the front desk there; you're calling the main RadNet line at 800-576-6747.
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They are quite transparent about the Good Faith Estimate (GFE). If you don't have insurance or you're paying out of pocket, they have to tell you the price upfront. No more "surprise" $1,200 bills three months later.
Getting There Without Losing Your Mind
If you’re driving, don't. Just don't.
It’s 37th and Madison. Parking is a nightmare and will cost you more than your copay.
Instead, take the 4, 5, 6, 7, or the S to Grand Central-42nd St. It’s a five-minute walk. If you’re coming from the west side, the B, D, F, or M to 42nd St-Bryant Park is also super close.
Key Takeaways for Your Visit
Don't just show up and hope for the best.
- Check the "T" value: If your doctor specifically requested a "3T MRI" (which is stronger), double-check your appointment. The Madison Avenue location primarily uses 1.5T. If you need the 3T, ask them to book you at the East 66th or East 77th Street locations.
- The Portal is your friend: They use a patient portal. Use it. It’s the fastest way to get your results and images to your referring doctor. Waiting for a CD-ROM in the mail is so 2005.
- The "Walk-in" myth: Only X-rays are truly walk-in friendly. For everything else, even a simple ultrasound, you need an appointment.
- Deductible timing: If it's December, the place gets packed. Everyone is trying to use their benefits before the new year. Book your annual mammogram or that lingering knee MRI by November if you can.
The medical imaging world is shifting toward these high-efficiency outpatient centers. Lenox Hill Radiology Madison Avenue Medical Imaging is a prime example of that shift. It’s not flashy, but it’s effective, accessible, and generally more affordable than the alternatives.
Next Steps for Patients
If you have a prescription in hand, your first move should be calling the Manhattan scheduling line at 212-772-3111 to verify if your specific test is performed at the Madison Avenue branch. Make sure to have your insurance card ready, as they will need to pre-authorize certain procedures like CTs and MRIs. If you've already had your scan, log into the RadNet Patient Portal to track when your radiologist's report is finalized and ready for your doctor to review.