Finding a place for a medical scan usually feels like a chore, honestly. You get a script from your doctor, you're probably already worried about why you need it, and then you have to find a spot that takes your insurance and doesn't have a three-week waitlist. Lenox Hill Radiology Merrick is one of those places people end up at because it's right there on Sunrise Highway, but there is actually a lot more to know about how they operate than just the address.
Basically, this isn't just a tiny local clinic. It's part of the massive RadNet network, but this specific spot in Merrick was actually a Zwanger-Pesiri location before Lenox Hill took it over. That's a big deal because the transition brought in some heavy-duty tech that you don't always find in every suburban strip mall office.
What’s actually inside the building?
If you’ve ever felt like you were being stuffed into a giant soda can during an MRI, you'll get why people ask about "Open" machines. At Lenox Hill Radiology Merrick, they use 3T Wide-Open MRI and 1.5T Wide-Open MRI units.
The "3T" part refers to Tesla, which is just a fancy way of saying the magnet is twice as strong as standard ones. It's faster. It's clearer. But the "Wide-Open" part is the real winner for anyone who gets claustrophobic. It’s not a literal open-air machine—those usually have worse image quality—but it has a much larger opening (the bore) so you don't feel like the ceiling is an inch from your nose.
Beyond the magnets, they handle a pretty wide spread:
- 3D Mammography: This is basically the gold standard now for breast cancer screening because it looks at tissue in layers rather than one flat image.
- CT Scans: Used for everything from internal injuries to lung cancer screenings.
- Ultrasound: Standard stuff, but they do a lot of specialized vascular and abdominal work here.
- DEXA Scans: Specifically for checking bone density if you're worried about osteoporosis.
- Digital X-ray: They actually allow walk-ins for this, which is super rare in Nassau County lately.
The Insurance and "Hidden" Costs
Let's talk money because healthcare is expensive and confusing. Lenox Hill is generally "insurance-blind" in the sense that they take almost everything—Aetna, Blue Cross, Medicare, GHI, UnitedHealthcare, you name it.
But here is the catch. Just because they take your insurance doesn't mean your insurance has authorized the scan yet. Honestly, the biggest headache people have here isn't the staff; it's the "Prior Authorization" process. If your doctor sends you for a Stat CT scan, but your insurance company is still sitting on the paperwork, Lenox Hill can't just slide you into the machine unless you want to pay the full cash price out of pocket.
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If you are paying cash, they use a system called MinuteMed or LabFinder integrations that sometimes offer "self-pay" estimates. It's usually cheaper than the "billed" price, but you have to ask for it upfront. Don't wait until you get the bill in the mail three weeks later.
What it’s really like: The Patient Experience
Walk into 2012 Sunrise Highway and it feels... well, like a modern medical office. It’s clean. There are a lot of tablets for check-ins.
Kinda cool, but also kinda annoying if you aren't tech-savvy. They really push the "PreCheck" system where you upload your ID and insurance card via a text link before you arrive. If you do that, you're usually in and out. If you don't, you'll be stuck at the front desk balancing a clipboard and your insurance card while the waiting room fills up.
Wait times? They vary. On a Tuesday morning, you might be in the back in ten minutes. On a Saturday? Bring a book. Since they are one of the newer centers in the Merrick/Bellmore area, they've been getting hammered with volume lately.
Real Talk on Results
Most people think the person taking the picture is the one who reads it. Nope. The technologist just runs the machine. The radiologists—the doctors who actually read the scans—are often off-site or in a quiet reading room.
Usually, your results hit the Connect Patient Portal within 24 to 48 hours. Sometimes it's faster, but if it's a complex "with contrast" study, it might take longer. If you haven't seen anything after three days, call them. Don't just wait for your doctor to call you; sometimes things get lost in the digital ether between offices.
Pro Tips for Your Visit
If you're heading to the Merrick location, keep these specific things in mind to make it suck less:
- Parking is easy: Unlike the Lenox Hill locations in Manhattan where you have to sell a kidney to park, the Merrick spot has a dedicated lot. It’s free. It’s right there.
- The "Claustrophobia" trick: If you're doing an MRI, ask for the headphones. They let you listen to music. It’s a small thing, but it drowns out the "clanging" sound of the magnet which is usually what triggers people's anxiety.
- The X-Ray Walk-in: You can walk in for an X-ray, but check their "X-ray hours" specifically. They don't always match the building's full operating hours. Usually, they stop taking walk-ins about 30-60 minutes before closing.
- The Meadowbrook factor: This office is right by the Meadowbrook State Parkway. If you're coming from Baldwin or Roosevelt, it’s a five-minute drive, but at 5:00 PM, Sunrise Highway is a parking lot. Plan accordingly.
Actionable Next Steps
If you have a script for imaging, your first move should be calling their main scheduling line at 631-277-1600. Don't just show up unless it's for a basic X-ray.
When you call, specifically ask if your "Prior Auth" is on file. If they say no, call your referring doctor’s office immediately. They are the ones who have to fight the insurance company, not the radiology center. Once that's cleared, use the text-link they send you to do the PreCheck. It sounds like a hassle, but it's the difference between a 20-minute visit and a 90-minute one.
Lastly, make sure you create your account on the RadNet Patient Portal the day of your appointment. That way, as soon as the radiologist signs off on your report, you can read it yourself before you even sit down with your doctor. It helps to have your questions ready beforehand.