What to Look for in a Teleradiology Partner: A Checklist for Hospital and Imaging Center Administrators

Choosing the right teleradiology partner isn’t just about filling a coverage gap. It’s about finding a trusted extension of your care team—one that blends seamlessly into your workflows, supports your staff, and ensures patients always receive timely, accurate interpretations.

For administrators, comparison shopping can feel overwhelming. Every provider claims to be reliable, fast, and secure. But how do you separate the marketing promises from what really matters in day-to-day practice?

That’s where this checklist comes in. Use it as a guide while evaluating the best teleradiology companies for your hospital or imaging center. The right partner can ease staffing challenges, while the wrong one can add unnecessary stress.

1. Round-the-Clock Coverage

Patients don’t stop needing care at 5 p.m.—and neither should your radiology support. The best teleradiology companies offer true 24/7/365 coverage, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

• Do they guarantee turnaround times during peak hours?

• Is overnight coverage handled by U.S.-based or internationally licensed radiologists?

• Can they scale up during flu season or unexpected surges in patient volume?

If coverage isn’t guaranteed, you risk delays when you can least afford them.

2. Subspecialty Expertise

Not all cases are straightforward. Pediatric imaging, neuroradiology, musculoskeletal cases—these require subspecialized knowledge. The best teleradiology companies offer access to radiologists with a wide range of expertise, not just generalists.

Ask yourself:

• Will they match subspecialists to cases automatically?

• Do they have enough subspecialists to ensure timely reads?

Having subspecialty depth on-demand is a game changer for smaller hospitals and imaging centers.

3. Seamless Technology Integration

Even the most skilled radiologists can’t help you if their reports don’t flow smoothly into your system. The best teleradiology companies invest heavily in IT infrastructure that integrates with your existing PACS, RIS, and EMR.

Your checklist should include:

• HL7 and DICOM compatibility.

• Cloud-based platforms with encryption.

• Reliable uptime and dedicated IT support.

If integration requires constant workarounds, it’s a red flag.

4. Transparent Quality Assurance

Accuracy is everything in radiology. The best teleradiology companies don’t just talk about quality—they prove it with transparent quality assurance processes.

Look for:

• Regular peer reviews of reports.

• Error rate data shared openly with clients.

• Ongoing training and credentialing programs.

When a provider welcomes scrutiny, you can trust they take quality seriously.

5. Communication and Collaboration

A teleradiology partner should never feel like a faceless vendor. The best teleradiology companies act like part of your team, available for phone calls, follow-up discussions, and consultations when cases are complex.

Consider:

• How easy is it to reach a radiologist directly?

• Do they provide case follow-up support?

• Is there a dedicated account manager who knows your hospital or center’s needs?

Smooth communication prevents small issues from becoming big frustrations.

6. Licensing and Credentialing

Credentialing can be one of the slowest and most frustrating parts of working with outside providers. The best teleradiology companies streamline this process, ensuring all radiologists are licensed in your state and meet hospital bylaws before reading cases.

Ask:

• Do they handle credentialing paperwork for you?

• What’s their average timeline for approval?

• Are their radiologists board-certified and fellowship-trained?

These details make the difference between smooth onboarding and months of delays.

7. Turnaround Time Commitments

Speed is critical—especially in emergency settings. The best teleradiology companies publish their turnaround times and stick to them.

For example:

• Stat reads often delivered in under 30 minutes.

• Routine reads delivered in a few hours.

• Performance tracked and reported regularly.

Don’t settle for vague promises like “fast” or “timely.” Ask for numbers.

8. Data Security and Compliance

Protecting patient privacy isn’t negotiable. The best teleradiology companies operate with airtight data security and full compliance with HIPAA and other regulations.

Checklist questions:

• Do they use end-to-end encryption?

• Are their servers housed in secure, compliant facilities?

• Do they undergo regular third-party security audits?

If compliance isn’t at the forefront, patients—and your reputation—are at risk.

9. Flexibility and Scalability

Hospitals and imaging centers don’t all have the same needs. The best teleradiology companies design flexible contracts that let you scale coverage up or down as your volumes change.

Look for:

• Short-term agreements without punishing penalties.

• Ability to expand coverage quickly during surges.

• Pricing models that align with your usage.

A partner should grow with you, not lock you into rigid terms.

10. References and Reputation

Finally, nothing speaks louder than the experiences of other hospitals and clinics. The best teleradiology companies should be eager to provide references and case studies.

Ask:

• Can they connect you with administrators at similar-sized organizations?

• What do online reviews and testimonials say about them?

• Do they have a proven track record over many years?

If a company hesitates to share references, proceed with caution.

Bringing It All Together

When it comes to teleradiology, you’re not just buying a service—you’re building a partnership that directly impacts patient care. 

The best teleradiology companies will check every box on this list: reliable coverage, subspecialty expertise, seamless integration, strong communication, transparent quality, and secure, scalable solutions.

By using this checklist as a guide, you can cut through the noise and make a decision rooted in both confidence and care.

Because at the end of the day, patients don’t care whether their scan was read down the hall or across the country. What they care about is that it was read quickly, accurately, and compassionately. And that’s exactly what the best teleradiology companies help you deliver.