Teleradiology guides and resources
Everything we publish about how the reads happen: study types and their turnaround tiers, coverage scenarios, state licensing, and the policies behind every signed report.
Latest
The eight most recent guides. New pages publish on a rolling schedule.
- When to request a second opinion MRI read
- Teleradiology pricing per read: what sets the rate in 2026
- How to clear an 8,000-study imaging backlog in 2026
- Radiology outsourcing: what to send out and how to govern it
- Radiology reading services: comparing the 3 models in 2026
- How radiology peer review programs work
- How night teleradiology works in 2026
- What is a radiology reading service? A plain explainer
Reads by study type
What we read, how fast it comes back, and who signs it.
MRI teleradiology reporting by subspecialists
MRI teleradiology with final signed reports from fellowship-trained subspecialists. STAT reads under 1 hour, routine under 24 hours, per-report pricing.
24 Apr 2026PET-CT & nuclear medicine teleradiology reads
PET-CT and nuclear medicine teleradiology: final signed reads by oncologic and cardiac imaging subspecialists, routine inside 24 hours, priced per report.
12 May 2026STAT CT reads under 1 hour: 30-minute measured median
STAT CT reads on a contractual under 1 hour SLA, with a measured 30-minute median and 99.4% compliance. Final signed reports by US subspecialists.
20 Jan 2026Telemammography: MQSA-qualified remote mammogram reads
Telemammography is legal under MQSA when the interpreting physician is qualified. AstraRad breast subspecialists sign screening reads in under 24 hours.
2 Apr 2026X-ray and ultrasound teleradiology: overflow final reads
X-ray and ultrasound overflow reads signed as final reports by US board-certified radiologists: routine under 24 hours, per-report pricing, no minimums.
27 Jul 2026Coverage scenarios
How teams use an outside panel to hold their own coverage.
Nighthawk radiology coverage with final reads, not prelims
Overnight radiology coverage with final signed reports, not preliminaries. Nighthawk reads by US subspecialists: STAT under 1 hour, 99.4% inside tier.
13 Feb 2026Teleradiology with no minimums, no subscription fees
Teleradiology with no minimums, no subscriptions and no platform fees. You pay per signed report, so a quiet month simply invoices fewer reads.
17 Aug 2026Overflow radiology reads: the ROI of outsourcing volume
Overflow radiology reads route excess studies to an outside subspecialist panel at per-report pricing, so you pay only for the studies you send.
13 Jul 2026Teleradiology for rural and critical access hospitals
Rural and critical access hospitals can get 24/7 teleradiology coverage priced per report, with no minimums and final signed subspecialist reports.
14 Aug 2026STAT radiology reads: 30-min median, 99.4% SLA (2026 data)
STAT radiology reads should return inside an hour. AstraRad's median is 30 minutes to a signed final report, with 99.4% compliance across all tiers.
8 Feb 2026Teleradiology for urgent care centers: X-ray and CT reads
Teleradiology for urgent care clinics: final signed X-ray and CT reports, per report with no minimums, Routine under 24 hours, portal upload, no PACS.
22 Mar 2026Weekend & holiday radiology coverage without burnout
Weekend and holiday radiology coverage priced per report: US subspecialists sign final reads at the same rate on a Saturday as on a Tuesday.
1 May 2026Coverage by metro
What coverage looks like in the largest US metro markets.
Austin teleradiology: 24/7 reads, 30-minute median STAT
Austin teleradiology across Trauma Service Area O: 23 state-designated trauma facilities, 24/7 final subspecialist reads priced per signed report.
6 Jul 2026Cincinnati teleradiology: reads across OH, KY and IN
Cincinnati is a 15-county OH-KY-IN metro, so each study needs a signer licensed in the state it came from. AstraRad holds licenses in all 50 states.
17 Aug 2026Cleveland teleradiology coverage for a trauma-dense metro
Cuyahoga County holds 3 of Ohio's 11 adult Level I trauma centers. Cleveland teleradiology coverage, final signed subspecialist reports, priced per report.
19 Aug 2026Columbus teleradiology: central Ohio imaging coverage
Teleradiology for Columbus: final signed subspecialist reports for a county holding three of Ohio's 11 adult Level I trauma centers, priced per report.
21 Aug 2026Dallas Fort Worth teleradiology: 53 trauma facilities
Teleradiology in Dallas Fort Worth covers trauma service area E: 19 counties, 53 designated trauma facilities, one Texas license, final signed reports.
31 Aug 2026Denver teleradiology: coverage by Colorado trauma level
Denver teleradiology answers to Colorado trauma rules: Level III may cover a radiologist by tele-radiology, Level I and II may not. Final reads only.
1 Sep 2026State coverage & licensing
Where our radiologists are licensed and what that means for your studies.
Teleradiology in Alabama: full AL license required
Teleradiology in Alabama needs a full AL license: the special purpose license across state lines closed in 2022. AstraRad reads with AL subspecialists.
17 Aug 2026Teleradiology in Alaska: license and registry rules
Teleradiology in Alaska needs a full AK license, and the telemedicine business must join the state registry. AK-licensed subspecialists sign every read.
17 Aug 2026Teleradiology in Arizona
Teleradiology in Arizona takes a full AZ license or an interstate telehealth registration under 36-3606. AstraRad reads with AZ-licensed subspecialists.
26 Aug 2026Teleradiology in Arkansas: full AR license required
Teleradiology in Arkansas needs a full AR license, and the IMLC is enacted but not yet operational there. AstraRad reads with AR-licensed subspecialists.
28 Aug 2026Teleradiology in California · fully CA-licensed reads
Teleradiology in California needs a full CA license for final reads: no telehealth registration, no IMLC. AstraRad reads with CA licensed subspecialists.
24 Jan 2026Teleradiology services in Colorado: licensed CO coverage
Teleradiology services in Colorado run on three authorizations: full licensure, IMLC expedited licensure, or SB 24-141 telehealth registration with DORA.
6 Jun 2026Teleradiology in Connecticut
Teleradiology in Connecticut needs a full CT license: the out-of-state telehealth allowance ended June 2024. CT-licensed subspecialists sign every read.
3 Sep 2026Teleradiology services in Florida · FL-licensed coverage
Teleradiology services in Florida run under a full FL license or the 456.47 telehealth registration. AstraRad signs final reports under both pathways.
17 Feb 2026Teleradiology in New York: full NY-licensed radiologists
Teleradiology in New York needs a full NY license, with no compact or telehealth registration. AstraRad signs NY reads with NY licensed radiologists.
31 May 2026Teleradiology services in Ohio: licensed coverage
Radiologists outside Ohio can read Ohio studies with a full license or the ORC 4731.296 certificate. How teleradiology services in Ohio stay compliant.
1 Feb 2026Teleradiology services in Texas: TX-licensed reads
Teleradiology services in Texas require a full Texas medical license for final reads. AstraRad assigns Texas studies to fully licensed subspecialists.
10 Apr 2026Guides & answers
Plain explanations of how teleradiology actually works.
Best teleradiology companies 2026: an honest comparison
Only AstraRad and vRad publish turnaround numbers among the best teleradiology companies of 2026. Compared on pricing, subspecialties, QA and ownership.
9 May 2026Radiology reading services: comparing the 3 models in 2026
Radiology reading services come in three forms: hospital-based, independent group, and teleradiology. How they differ on cost, speed, and quality.
12 Sep 20265 core steps to standardize contrast protocols in radiology
Practical steps for radiology administrators to implement contrast protocol standardization with EMR/PACS enforcement, 50,100 study audits, and QA metrics.
6 Sep 2026Credentialing by proxy for teleradiology (CMS 482.22)
Credentialing by proxy under 42 CFR 482.22 lets a hospital board rely on a teleradiology group's privileging decisions and start coverage in weeks.
6 Mar 2026Diagnostic monitor calibration for techs
Standards-first, technician-ready diagnostic monitor calibration aligned to DICOM GSDF and AAPM Report 270. Acceptance, monthly, and annual steps
5 Sep 2026DICOM de-identification: a six stage Annex E pipeline
How to map DICOM PS3.15 Annex E onto a six stage, audit-ready de-identification pipeline: metadata scrub, burned-in PHI, date shifting and validation.
4 Sep 2026Double reading radiology: a procurement guide for buyers
Procurement-first primer on vendor double reads. Compare delivery models, RFP questions, costs and SLAs, then pilot targeted cohorts like emergency CT
1 Sep 2026FHIR imaging: run a 30 to 90 day vendor pilot
Hospital procurement advice: evaluate PACS integrated FHIR imaging, compare teleradiology vendors, and run a 30 to 90 day pilot with written SLAs to prove
5 Sep 2026HIPAA vs. HITRUST: what compliance teams need to know
HIPAA is federal law with no certificate behind it; HITRUST is a voluntary certifiable framework. What each governs, how they map, and what to ask vendors.
29 Aug 2026HL7 vs FHIR: a coexistence guide for healthcare IT teams
A technical roadmap for Healthcare IT teams to run HL7 v2 and FHIR together, migrate interfaces selectively, and integrate radiology workflows
30 Aug 2026How to choose a teleradiology company: 2026 buyer's guide
Choose a teleradiology company on five written answers: SLA compliance, state licensing, subspecialty match, all-in pricing, and a measured QA rate.
29 Apr 2026How to clear an 8,000-study imaging backlog in 2026
How imaging centers clear an 8,000-study backlog in under 30 days using per-report overflow reads, reserved capacity, and SLA triage controls.
13 Sep 2026In-house vs outsourced radiology: costs and trade-offs
In-house vs outsourced radiology comes down to steady volume: below roughly 50 to 60 studies a day, per-report teleradiology costs less than a hire.
9 Jun 2026Locum radiologist vs teleradiology: fixed vs variable cost
A locum radiologist is a fixed day rate paid whether studies arrive or not. Teleradiology bills per signed report. Compared on cost, lead time and risk.
26 Mar 2026When to request a second opinion MRI read
Know when MRI cases need second opinion reads, and how AstraRad supports subspecialty routing with routine turnaround under 24 hours for centers.
14 Sep 2026What overnight radiology coverage costs: 3 models
Overnight and weekend radiology coverage cost by model: a nocturnist runs 1.6 to 2.0 FTE, teleradiology bills per signed report, no coverage bills the ED.
27 Feb 2026How your PACS connects to a teleradiology provider
Your PACS connects to a teleradiology provider by DICOM send or portal upload; signed reports return over HL7, FHIR, or the portal. Setup path inside.
21 Jul 2026Per-report vs subscription teleradiology pricing
Per-report teleradiology bills only signed reports. A subscription bills whether studies arrive or not. Compare break-even volume, risk, and exit terms.
24 Aug 2026One in five PET/CT overreads change care: the checklist
Clinician PET/CT overread checklist that ties evidence of one in five discordant external reads to a six step overread workflow, report essentials, triage
6 Sep 2026Privileging vs credentialing: what actually separates them
Credentialing verifies a clinician's qualifications; privileging authorizes specific procedures at a specific facility. How each works, and in what order.
2 Sep 2026Radiation dose monitoring: a practical program guide
Discover how effective radiation dose monitoring enhances patient safety, optimizes protocols, and ensures reliable dose management in healthcare.
3 Sep 2026Radiologist shortage 2026: why 47% of postings are re-posts
A 2026 job market report found 47% of radiology postings are re-posts of one role. What that means for a facility trying to cover its own night shift.
24 Aug 2026When your radiology group gives notice: a 30-day plan
Thirty days is enough to replace radiology coverage: a 30-day plan for when your radiology group gives notice, from last-read date to backlog cleanup.
22 Feb 2026Radiology interpretation services: what you actually buy
Radiology interpretation services explained: prelim vs final reads, what the fee includes, the professional component, who buys them, and 2026 pricing.
7 Sep 2026Radiology outsourcing: what to send out and how to govern it
Radiology outsourcing works when you choose what leaves, keep procedures in-house, and govern the outsourced read stream with measured quality terms.
13 Sep 2026How radiology peer review programs work
Learn how radiology peer review works in practice, with 1 in 20 reports blind double-read and a major discrepancy rate under 0.3% in QA review.
12 Sep 2026RADPEER scoring: six step QA checklist for radiology teams
RADPEER scoring for US radiologists and QA leads: six post discrepancy steps, key blind spots, and when to add teleradiology to protect your peer-learning
31 Aug 2026Radiologist burnout: 5 levers an imaging director controls
Radiologist burnout is a scheduling problem before it is a wellness problem. Five levers cut call burden and after-hours load without adding a hire.
16 Apr 2026Remote radiology in 2026: the stack behind the reads
Remote radiology is now standard practice. The technology stack, the workflows, the quality controls, and what changed to make fully remote reading normal.
10 Sep 202630 minute median for STAT radiology reporting
Operations first playbook to standardize STAT radiology reporting: set objective criteria, track median and 90th TAT, and pilot teleradiology.
9 Sep 2026STAT vs preliminary vs final radiology reads, explained
STAT sets urgency; preliminary and final radiology reads name the document. Only the signed final report is billable, and it supersedes any preliminary.
10 Mar 2026Subspecialty radiology reads by study type
Subspecialty radiology reads route each study to a fellowship-trained radiologist by body system, from neuro and MSK to pediatric, on every shift.
3 Jul 2026Switching teleradiology providers without a coverage gap
Switching teleradiology providers takes 30 to 60 days: credential incoming radiologists first, run both vendors in parallel, then cut over by tier.
23 May 2026Teleradiology companies in 2026: categories and criteria
The US teleradiology companies mapped by category, with a seven-criterion evaluation framework and facility-type weightings instead of a ranking.
9 Sep 2026Teleradiology cost per read 2026: prices by modality
Teleradiology cost per read in 2026 runs $12 to $99 by modality on published rates. All twelve study types, STAT premiums, and per-report billing.
16 Jun 2026Teleradiology in 2026: how it actually works
How teleradiology works in 2026: the study path from scanner to signed report, turnaround tiers, state licensing, quality programs, and market costs.
4 Sep 2026Hidden fees in teleradiology contracts: 14 line items
Hidden fees in teleradiology contracts include volume minimums, platform fees, surcharges, escalators and exit penalties. Price your last month to compare.
2 Sep 2026How night teleradiology works in 2026
See how imaging center night coverage works with 24/7/365 US shifts, STAT under 1 hour, and per-report billing instead of overnight staffing for contracts.
11 Sep 2026Teleradiology pricing models: per-report vs per-RVU
The four teleradiology pricing models are per-report, per-RVU, subscription and FTE. Convert every quote to cost per study on your own mix to compare.
12 Aug 2026Teleradiology pricing per read: what sets the rate in 2026
Teleradiology pricing per read runs about $12 to $99 by modality on published rates. What the rate pays for, why vendors differ, and when per-read wins.
14 Sep 2026Teleradiology providers: the market's five types, mapped
Teleradiology providers sort into five types: national platforms, independents, subspecialty groups, nighthawks, and hybrids. Which fits your facility.
8 Sep 2026Teleradiology turnaround time by modality in 2026
Compare teleradiology turnaround by priority, with STAT under 1 hour and routine under 24 hours across twelve study types for vendor review.
10 Sep 2026Teleradiology turnaround times for hospitals
SLA benchmarks, contract wording, and operational fixes help hospitals secure STAT reads under one hour and routine reports within 24 hours.
7 Sep 2026Operations first teleradiology workflow for administrators
For administrators: an operations first teleradiology workflow to hit under 60 minute STAT reads, secure PACS integration, and enforce licensure.
8 Sep 2026How to verify teleradiology vendor claims
Verify teleradiology vendor claims by demanding median and 90th percentile turnaround by tier in writing, then auditing both against your RIS timestamps.
10 Aug 2026vRad alternatives 2026: comparing teleradiology networks
vRad alternatives fall into three groups: national networks, independent groups, and subspecialty practices that sign final reports on every study.
19 May 2026What a teleradiologist does: training and credentials
A teleradiologist is a board-certified radiologist reading remotely. Training path, licensing, shift structure, and how to verify who reads your studies.
5 Sep 2026What is a radiology reading service? A plain explainer
A radiology reading service supplies signed interpretations for your imaging. What it covers, the three ways it plugs into an operation, and what changes.
11 Sep 2026What is a STAT read? Ordering criteria and benchmarks
A STAT read is an immediate-priority radiology interpretation. What qualifies, benchmark turnarounds, the measurement clock, and escalation when it slips.
6 Sep 2026What is teleradiology? How it works, step by step
Teleradiology is the remote interpretation of medical images: studies travel as DICOM and a radiologist returns a signed report on a stated turnaround.
13 Mar 2026Trust & policies
Compliance, security and the commitments we put in writing.
HIPAA and GDPR compliance in teleradiology
How HIPAA and GDPR apply to teleradiology: AstraRad works as a business associate under a signed BAA, with encryption, access controls and audit logging.
15 Jan 2026Teleradiology state licensing: how coverage works
Teleradiology state licensing follows the patient: the read needs a license where the patient is. Three routes, IMLC speed, credentialing by proxy.
24 Jun 2026Privacy policy: how AstraRad handles PHI and imaging data
AstraRad never sells personal data or PHI. This privacy policy covers website, account, and imaging data handled as a HIPAA business associate under BAAs.
8 Apr 2026AstraRad teleradiology SLA & QA: measured and published
Teleradiology SLA in writing: stroke protocol under 30 minutes, STAT under 1 hour, Urgent under 4, Routine under 24, last-image arrival to signature.
21 Jun 2026Terms of service: website use, MSA and BAA scope
AstraRad's terms of service govern website use only; turnaround commitments, per-report pricing, and PHI handling live in each client's signed MSA and BAA.
16 Jul 2026Still have a question?
Tell us your modalities and monthly volume. A complete per-report rate card, with turnaround tiers and SLA terms in writing, lands in your inbox within one business day.