In order for you to understand MRI cost it is first important for you to understand what a MRI scan, or Magentic Resonance Imaging, is and its uses.
MRI Cost And How MRIs Work
A MRI scan is often thought of as advanced version of an X-Ray and while there is similarities between them, they both have their functions for different occasions.
X-Rays work by using the radiation from a vacuum tube which when directed at tissue is able to pass straight through, it can’t however pass through bone which is why you can only see bone on the final image and no skin, fat or muscle.
Fast forward around 100 years and Magnetic Resonance Imaging scans were invented. MRI scans do not use any form of radiation (which makes them a lot safer than X-Rays and many people believe this fact alone justifies MRI cost), instead they utilize a strong magnetic field which works in the following manner.
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The patient lies on a movable ‘table’ which slowly moves into position inside a cylindrical gap in the MRI machine.
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Radio waves which are around 20,000 times stronger than the earths magnetic field are sent through the body which results in all of the protons in the patient line up as opposed to be scattered everywhere as they normally are.
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When the magnetic field is stopped these protons then start to move back into their original positions and in the process send out a very feint signal of their own. Depending on which type of tissue these protons exist in they align at a different speed, this is what allows MRI scans to distinguish between different tissue types in the body. Tissue such as bones with a low amount of protons will show as darker in the scan while tissue with a higher concentrations of protons such as muscle will show much lighter.
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A computer receives the weak radio waves from the body and from those signals interprets in image based on all the information it gathers.
MRI Cost
So what is the cost of an MRI scan? MRI cost varies massively on the part of the body that requires the scan and, as with most medical costs, prices vary in different areas of the country as well as different medical facilities.
As an example of a common use for MRI scans and therefore a relevant example for many of you searching for MRI cost is a brain scan. As a general price guide you will be looking at around $700 at the cheapest all the way up to around $2500. Knee MRI scans usually cost in the region of $600 to $1700.
These prices are for an individual without health insurance, if you do possess health insurance then MRI cost will be significantly less. Check your policy for details on how much your insurers will cover but as a general rule they will pay around 60 to 80 percent of the MRI cost.
Reducing MRI Cost
One thing to keep in mind is that when you are given a MRI scan order by your doctor you can take that order anywhere to have the actual scan (much like when given a prescription you can visit any pharmacy to collect it).
MRI cost will be signicantly higher if you go to a hospital for your scan as opposed to going to a dedicated imaging centre that specialise in the field. Look in your local Yellow Pages for ‘X-Rays’ or ‘Radiologists’ in your locale.
Many facilities that perform these scans will also offer a discount of anything from 5 to 30 percent if the full fee is paid up front which can make a massive difference to the total sum.
It may also be worth enquiring about any payment plans offered. Most providers will offer to spread the fee over a set time period in order to make MRI cost more affordable for people.
