During my early elementary school years; I used to be jealous of classmates who broke bones and came to school in casts. They always seemed so 'cool' and received lots of attention (the same could be said about braces - it was very trendy among the girls). In fact, I wanted a cast so badly that I once wrapped plaster tape around my arm pretending it was legit (I didn't fool anyone). As an adult several decades later; I don't have to fake anything because I suffer from a multitude of health issues including a rare, fatal illness. My life consists of labs, testing, doctors, and specialists. Plus, MRIs, ultrasounds and x-rays. My rheumatologist was requesting x-rays of my feet/ankles and knees and my California Medi-Cal insurance authorized United Medical Imaging (Glendale location) to get the job done.
United Medical Imaging is a sort of 'chain' imaging center with several locations throughout the Los Angeles metropolitan area. I was being sent to the Glendale location on S. Central Ave near the major intersection of Central/Colorado smack adjacent to the Glendale Galleria and Americana. I initially called to make the appointment for my x-rays and found that the receptionist wasn't answering the phone during posted open hours. And I'm not talking she was too busy to answer; but rather that the line automatically went to a voicemail declaring that UMI was closed. It seemed that the phones weren't even turned on. When I finally got through, I learned that UMI of Glendale does NOT take appointments for x-rays and only MRIs. What?! That is super odd. Essentially it is first come, first serve so you run the risk of waiting for quite some time. I was not a happy camper about this notion.
I decided to go to UMI on a Friday in the late afternoon (they are closed Sat and Sun) figuring that the staff would be in a hurry to leave so perhaps I wouldn't have as long of a wait. I arrived to a nicely-landscaped building with a (free) side and back parking lot and a modern, architecturally pretty lobby with high ceilings, wood trim, fake stone accents, etc; looking almost spa-like. There were several patients already waiting and a constant flux in-and-out the door but check-in was quite easy and they had no issues finding my authorization in their system. Several reviews complain about the front desk girls and it depends on whom you deal with: one girl was indeed curt and snotty but the other I mostly spoke to was friendly and conservational.
Now, here is where the weirdness begins: I came prepared with a book, water and snack figuring I would have to wait forever in the x-ray queue. My later afternoon arrival time plan worked (I suggest this attack method if you need x-rays!) and I only had to wait about 40 minutes. I say 'only' because I expected longer, to be honest. But this place is like a hospital ER triage. Once you are called from the main lobby; you then have to wait further on chairs in the back hallway. So, basically you're sent from one waiting area to another. Plus, you're waiting outside the MRI and x-ray rooms and can hear everything - very little privacy. It is all very uncomfortable.
The back area and exam rooms don't reflect the 'pretty' lobby and are a bit shabby. The machines are outdated, the lighting is very harsh, ceiling tiles had water leak stains and the ladies room bathroom stall had an entire black, melted plastic panel underneath a metal grate/vent (see posted photo) which doesn't seem applicable in a medical facility (why hasn't this been replaced?!). When I was called into the x-ray room, I was disappointed to see that it was equally grimy/dusty and the chair that I was instructed to place my belongings on was completely in shambles (a black pleather chair with the fabric ripped off in large chunks - ummm you can get a nice, new chair for $20 off Facebook Marketplace, for Christ's sakes!).
The x-ray machine experience was an odd one as UMI has of those ones where you lay on your back on a thin, wooden folding table and the images are captured from above (I have never, ever used this method before). It was all very weird. The x-ray tech (younger, Armenian male) was efficient, though, and made sure to waste no time so that I was done with the x-rays quite quickly. In fact, I felt sort of kicked out! I asked the tech how many business days until my doctor receives the results, to which he replied, "A few business days". Obviously, his lack of clarification means he doesn't know. I should have asked the receptionist on my way out, but oh well. Hopefully, all is handled in timely-manner.
There isn't much more to say regarding UMI, as it is a solid-middle ground experience. Pros include a nice lobby, free parking and x-ray experience that isn't dragged out. However, there are heavy cons of hit-or-miss staff, no appointments for x-rays, weird ER triage-style waiting and dirty, outdated exam rooms, ceilings and bathroom stalls that are half melted. Take this as you may! read more