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Hidden costs of MRI scans: What you should know

Millions of diagnostic exams are performed in the United States every year, but they aren’t cheap. One of the most common diagnostic tests performed today, magnetic resonance imaging or MRIs, are also one of the costliest, ranging anywhere from $375 to as high as $1,400, depending on where you go.

So what accounts for the dramatic price difference? There are a number of factors involved with MRI scans that can significantly increase the price, of which many consumers are not aware.

Hospital hike 

One of the most important factors that affects the price you pay for an MRI is where you choose to have the scan done. Hospitals usually have much higher-than-average prices, as compared to independent medical facilities. Non-hospital-owned MRI facilities can charge significantly less, without compromising quality of care, simply because they don’t need to support the big budget required by a hospital to function properly.

"People don't realize that they can be billed for their MRI using 'hospital coding'," explained Elizabeth Bender, operations manager for the Orthopaedic Institute of Dayton. "Hospitals and hospital-owned facilities can bill at a higher rate that reflects their overhead costs."

So, even though a hospital-owned facility might be located conveniently just down the street, you might save yourself a few hundred dollars, or more, for the exact same procedure at an independent facility located a few miles away.

Radiologist reading fee 

At some diagnostic testing locations, the cost of the MRI procedure itself does not include the radiologist’s fee to read the scan results. In these cases, patients receive a separate bill for the radiologist’s reading fee.

At many independent MRI facilities, like the Orthopaedic Institute of Dayton, separate billing for radiology is not necessary.

“We have a relationship with Pro Scan Imaging to diagnostically read our MRI scans, so the radiologist reading fee already is included in the entire bill,” said Bender. “In addition, the radiologists with Pro Scan Imaging who read for us are all board-certified and sub-specialty trained in musculoskeletal MRI.”

Bender says that a typical self-pay (not paid by insurance) MRI through Orthopaedic Institute of Dayton costs around $475, including the diagnostic reading fee.

To dye or not to dye 

Sometimes, physicians can order MRIs with or without contrast dye, or both. Contrast dye is a pharmaceutical liquid that is used during various diagnostic tests which enable the physician to better see disease or injuries.  The use of contrast dye in an MRI will increase the cost.

Do your homework 

So, if you find yourself in need of an MRI, take a little time to do some research beforehand. Familiarize yourself with your insurance plan and make sure that you have a clear understanding of the benefits it provides.

And once you receive your bill and insurance statement for your MRI, be sure to check it over thoroughly before you pay it. If it shows one lump sum instead of an itemized listing, you have the right to call the facility and ask for a detailed version with billing codes and individual charges.

For more information on the Orthopaedic Institute of Dayton and the many services they provide, including lower-cost MRIs, call (937) 298-4417 or click here.

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