If uninsured, what would be the range of the cost of an MRI?

[Foxfyre]

Just a ballpark please for any of you who ever had to pay due to lack of insurance. Or, if you worked in the industry or happen to know the price.

I assume a smaller town or state would be cheaper. Say, N.H vs N.Y or Cali but I don't know.

The figures I've seen range from a three or four hundred dollars to up to $10-12,000 or more. Before Obamacare, MRI's and Ct scans were covered under our health plan. After Obamacare we now pay a $300+ copay for a out of hospital MRI or Ct scan--the coverage is better for inpatients--meaning most of us have to settle for a less informative ultrasound. In addition we pay larger copays to the specialists who administer such tests.

Needless to say, Obamacare has not been good for most Americans, most especially senior citizens.

 

[Concerned American]

That probably factors in the price they charge insured patients, which is inflated. Self-pay is much lower.

Not in my experience. Individuals don't have the negotiating power that insurance does. In my heart surgery example, I would have been charged over $100K. The insurance was charged less than $40K in 1994 in CA.

 

[Concerned American]

Just the opposite. I had PT and the price per session was MORE if I had insurance.

I assume that PT is physical therapy and I think that would be charged differently than a medical procedure or MRI. Could be why.

 

[Lisa558]

Not in my experience. Individuals don't have the negotiating power that insurance does. In my heart surgery example, I would have been charged over $100K. The insurance was charged less than $40K in 1994 in CA.

What I found is that the prices with insurance are much higher. In fact, once I found out that self-pay was cheaper than with going through my Obamacare plan, and I wanted to change to self-pay. The provider denied it, saying that I admitted I have insurance and would have to use it, even if it cost me more.

Obamacare was a disaster. I ended up paying more than $50,000 in premiums for the six years I was covered for the privilege of paying MORE for services. Then, on the other hand, you had lower income people paying $30 a month on premiums and getting services for $5 co-pay.

The silver lining to turning 65 was getting away from that stuff. But I digress….

 

[Lisa558]

I assume that PT is physical therapy and I think that would be charged differently than a medical procedure or MRI. Could be why.

Yes, physical therapy. It was so expensive with my insurance that I couldn’t afford the 2x weekly treatment my doctor prescribed.

 

[Concerned American]

Yes, physical therapy. It was so expensive with my insurance that I couldn’t afford the 2x weekly treatment my doctor prescribed.

I check my medicare and supplement EOBs now that I'm retired and I am amazed at how little they pay the docs. Sometimes the doc bills $500 or $600 for a given procedure and between Medicare and the supplement they pay about a third of what is billed---total. IDK, they have their way of doing things. I haven't had to pay more than $200 deductible since retiring. Not including the premiums for Medicare and the supplement.

 

[shockedcanadian]

This is the same system that told my father in law that he needed surgery for cataracts in his eyes when he complained of the same pain I am complaining of.

Not long after he died of a brain aneurysm.

 

[Lisa558]

I check my medicare and supplement EOBs now that I'm retired and I am amazed at how little they pay the docs. Sometimes the doc bills $500 or $600 for a given procedure and between Medicare and the supplement they pay about a third of what is billed---total. IDK, they have their way of doing things. I haven't had to pay more than $200 deductible since retiring. Not including the premiums for Medicare and the supplement.

I love Medicare. But I did end up going with a concierge practice for my primary care to get less rushed appointments - and much easier access. Now that I see how little regular doctors collect, I see why they rush people in and out.

 

[ABikerSailor]

National average price from a quick search came up with $1325.

Sounds about right. I had to go to the emergency room back in Feb, and they charged the VA 1500 for mine Total bill for the emergency room visit was around 12,000. Thank goodness for my retirement benefits.

 

[Lisa558]

This is the same system that told my father in law that he needed surgery for cataracts in his eyes when he complained of the same pain I am complaining of.

Not long after he died of a brain aneurysm.

OMG.

 

[Freedomisneverfree]

My MRI in November was $4,921.81

 

[Dadoalex]

Just a ballpark please for any of you who ever had to pay due to lack of insurance. Or, if you worked in the industry or happen to know the price.

I assume a smaller town or state would be cheaper. Say, N.H vs N.Y or Cali but I don't know.

Avoid hospital or MRI facilities associated with large medical groups.
My experience with self pay at independent providers is between $375 and $650.

 

[shockedcanadian]

Not sure, I'm on the other side of country, but I would think you could get an appointment within a week.

Also, they aren't going to provide you the results, it will go to your doctor. Shouldn't matter that it will be a Canadian doctor.

Actually it does matter that it is a Canadian doctor. Someone doesn't travel to West Germany for a procedure only to have the East Germans determine the outcome. Surely a U.S doctor can at least give feedback as to what they see. I am concerned about a brain aneurysm and little of the past and current symptoms have convinced me otherwise.

Not unlike my torn bicep which took 3 years to heal as I was in constant pain and couldn't even hold a plate up at one point.