Wednesday, April 28, 2010

About Mri Prices

Has your doctor ordered an MRI for you? Are you worried about how much it is going to cost? A little bargain shopping on your part could ease your concerns. There's no need for "sticker shock." You can find a price you're able to work with simply by calling around to different hospitals in your area.


What is an MRI?


An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is a machine that takes digital pictures of the inside of the human body using magnetic signals. An MRI is usually used to study soft tissue, nerves, bones, muscles, ligaments and muscles. This is one of the most common ways of looking inside the human body.


Average Cost of MRI


The cost of an MRI can reach between $400 and $3,000. This depends on what kind of procedure is being done and where it is being done. Two identical MRIs can have completely different prices at two different places. Taking the time to shop around is time well spent as it could save you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. Two factors go into the pricing of an MRI. They are technical fee and professional fee. The technical fee is the actual cost of the procedure one is having done. The professional fee is the fee for having a radiologist read the results of your MRI.


High Cost


The high cost of an MRI begins with the cost of the machine itself. An average machine can cost well over $1 million and so it is necessary to charge a price that will help pay for the machine. However, this price is at the high end and can be negotiated. You can often get a discount by simply asking for one.


Insured Patients


It is important to understand your insurance policy and know what it will and will not pay for, especially before undergoing an expensive procedure. There are many insurance companies that will reimburse the cost of an MRI. In some cases a pre-certification may be necessary. If this pre-certification is not obtained your claim may be denied.


Uninsured Patients


For the uninsured, it is possible to get a discount of up to 40 percent if the full cost of the MRI is paid within 60 days. Of course, you can always pay with cash, Visa, Mastercard or American Express. Depending on how dire your financial situation is, you may qualify for an even bigger discount.







Tags: being done, human body, inside human, inside human body, that will