Q Exam FAQ.

You'll be asked to remove any metallic objects or clothing and keep them outside the MRI room. We offer Spotify and Netflix on a headset so you can listen to music or watch a show during the exam.

You lie down on a table; we add coils that detect the radio waves the scan generates. You wear earplugs for the noise plus a headset to hear your music and the technologist on a two-way intercom. A pulse oximeter clips on one finger so we can see your heart rhythm; the other hand holds a squeezable alarm ball in case of discomfort.

When ready, you slide into the magnet — open at both ends and well-ventilated with a fan. During scanning we'll ask you to lie still and to hold your breath for up to 16 seconds while imaging your torso.

The exam itself takes about 75 minutes; we recommend allowing 90 minutes from arrival to departure.

The radio frequencies used in MRI are non-ionizing — significantly safer than X-Ray, CT, or PET. Your cell phone and home wireless routers use higher-energy radiation than an MRI does. RF can be dangerous near ferromagnetic implants or jewelry, which is why we do a thorough safety check and ask that all metal stays outside the MRI room.

A gentle fan provides continuous airflow through the open-bore machine. You'll hold a squeezable alarm ball to alert the technologist at any time, and you can listen to Spotify or watch Netflix on the headset to help the time pass.

The Q Exam incorporates FDA-cleared software — Constellation — that uses AI-assisted methods for whole-body MR image analysis. Our technology is designed to support your care team in making healthcare decisions for you, not to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease.

The Q Exam is conducted in-person at our Redwood City clinic — 410 Brewster Ave, Redwood City, CA 94063. We accommodate busy schedules by offering early-morning appointments and out-of-town members flying into the Bay Area. For scheduling help, email hello@q.bio.

Our clinic is open Monday through Friday. We currently offer exams starting at 7:00 AM, 9:00 AM, and 11:00 AM.

We expect results 2–3 weeks after the exam is completed, at which point you'll be prompted to schedule your 45-minute Data Review with a Q Bio physician.

We currently do not accept anyone under the age of 22.

Certain conditions — such as metal or electronic implants — can prevent an MRI scan. Pregnancy and recent events like surgery or transfusions can prohibit you from completing a Q Exam in the near term. Our registration process screens for these and more; if a contraindication appears, our team will reach out to discuss.

You'll complete a safety questionnaire prior to your exam, and fast for 12 hours beforehand — eating food or drinking sugary beverages can produce variable laboratory results. Stay hydrated with plain (non-carbonated, non-flavored) water.

Please consult your doctor about whether to stop medications before a blood test; if you're unsure, do not stop any prescription medication. We send reminders and information before your exam. Questions? hello@q.bio.

The Q Exam uses FDA-cleared software — Constellation — that applies machine-learning methods to analyze whole-body MR images, including segmenting anatomical regions such as the lung, liver, and brain structures, and calculating related measurements. After our physicians review these machine-learning results, they are provided as clear whole-body visuals with labeled regions that help clinicians develop a care plan.

Results are typically ready 2–3 weeks after your exam. You'll be prompted to schedule a Data Review with a Q Bio physician — a 45-minute focused conversation summarizing your results, which you can then share with your care team.

No. The Q Exam is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. Although we have a Q Bio physician meet with you to summarize your results, it is intended to support your care team in creating a healthcare plan for you.

$3,495 USD — an annual member fee covering the 75-minute exam, all five clinical inputs, and the 45-minute Data Review. A credit card is required at booking and charged on the day of your exam.

We currently do not accept insurance. However, the Q Exam qualifies for HSA / FSA accounts. Please contact your insurance provider to understand your FSA / HSA reimbursement and benefits.

Cancellations within 48 hours of your scheduled appointment incur a $500 fee. Please reach out to hello@q.bio for any scheduling changes.