I asked on Friday how much a head MRI costs these days, $350 United States dollars. I think push came to shove and with a bit of financial juggling this is an amount of money that can be saved in a year or two. I would think that if insurance gives "YOU" a hard time, pay for it yourself, try not to rely on others for everything. "YOU" have ms "YOU" want to maintain your independence as much as "YOU" can for as long as "YOU" can in all thing. BUT we when "YOU" need help ask for it. It is a juggling act but "YOU" can manage it and live a good life.
Royce (the ms writer)
develope confidence in yourself
Written by
RoyceNewton
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
However, I believe there are charitable groups out there that will help with those costs. I believe MSAA is one that has help with MRIs that are not covered. I was in the "doughnut hole" with insurance vs assets for awhile and struggled to find assistance with things. After my assets were depleted more help became available. I'm now at the stage where most everything is covered. Sometimes things are denied but having a great doctor all I have to do is call and they fix it.
Total cost before in-network insurance adjustments was $6600 (adjusted down to $2000). That didn't include cost for radiologist to read it -- another $2200 before adjusted down to $340.
I'm sure type of insurance and location make a huge difference on what people pay.
That is the copay on my insurance. They bill the insurance about $3,000 if you have contrast. MSAA paid my copay for my last MRI. They will do it every two years if you qualify.
I have two networks to choose from and the out of pocket expense is 1K different. My insurance actually calls me to make me aware that their competition (we are insured through a hospital) is cheaper and I should schedule there instead 🤣🤷♀️
I got an MRI in December. There were only 2 in network places in my city and I chose the hospital closest to my house. We just got the bill for ... drum roll please ... $25,000. I have had about 15 MRIs in my life in 3 different countries. This was my first in the USA and it was the worst I have ever had and it will be the first I’ve ever had any out of pocket expenses. In the end I will only pay $500 but this is the reason premiums are so expensive. It’s all a big scam and this system is so broken I can find no words for how angry it makes me.
One session. Brain and spine. That’s after the insurance negotiated down from $28000. You would have thought it was a state of the art machine too but it looked like it was salvaged from the titanic.
You can obtain financial assistance from MSAA if you do it Before the MRI. Most neurologist offices have the forms and you just fill them out and send them in . Wait for the approval and then go to your MRI.
My first brain MRI without contrast in 2014 cost $1600. I paid, in full, to get a 5% discount off this cost. I was naive and didn’t know I could go to a stand alone facility for a much cheaper cost. I also thought it would be a “one and done” deal. $350 is a great deal on a brain MRI.
My last mri of my brain 🧠 and cervical was $2700 billed to insurance and my portion was $350. St Luke’s because of my income reduced my productivity cr to them to $70 dollars. I have applied for financial help in November for the next year for the last three years and have been approved. MSAA has paid for one every year I applied ahead of time over the last 25 years after diagnosis. Remember you want a neurologist that specializes in MS ! Ken 👍🐾🐾
Royce, an mri in AZ is $350? Out of pocket? Or the total cost? I'm afraid in New England, an mri is 10 times that amount, and with insurance, my out of pocket is much more than $350!
I asked the staffer how much it wouldcost if I paid cash he said for a 3T machine, just down the road $350.00, cheap I have paid up to $1000 of course with out any insurance at all
I know! Apparently, an mri is so much more 'affordable' outside of a hospital. You think that it would be the opposite. Go figure... And health insurance should also make it more affordable? And, here, there apparently is no way to get an mri without going though insurance! Or maybe I can?
I had 3 Mri's. Head, neck and thoracic. We just got the statement and they charged 22,000.00. Once they got it reduced Medicare paid 559.00 and 142.00 was left and my secondary ins should pay that. I hope.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.