My last MRI cost quote... $350.00 - My MSAA Community

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My last MRI cost quote... $350.00

RoyceNewton profile image
26 Replies

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

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RoyceNewton profile image
RoyceNewton
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26 Replies
Allen5280 profile image
Allen5280

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.

RoyceNewton profile image
RoyceNewton in reply to Allen5280

sad that our society (western world) operates like that

CV97 profile image
CV97

$350?!

My insurance paid $2000 for brain MRI in August - that was the patient portion even after their in-network discounts!

RoyceNewton profile image
RoyceNewton in reply to CV97

wow,they told #350 cash

CV97 profile image
CV97 in reply to RoyceNewton

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.

RoyceNewton profile image
RoyceNewton in reply to CV97

more than likely

hairbrain4 profile image
hairbrain4

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.

kdali profile image
kdali

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 🤣🤷‍♀️

Corran731 profile image
Corran731

WARNING: RANT FOLLOWS

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.

carolek572 profile image
carolek572CommunityAmbassador in reply to Corran731

Did you ever go to Canada for a mri, Corran731 ? I think that it's worse there. :-D

Corran731 profile image
Corran731 in reply to carolek572

The wait time is longer in Canada but an MRI like I had costs around $1500. Not $25000

carolek572 profile image
carolek572CommunityAmbassador in reply to Corran731

Yes, it is scam, where ever you go, Corran731 The wait is excruciating in Canada :-D

in reply to Corran731

OMG $25,000??? For one??? Even NYC isn't that expensive!

Corran731 profile image
Corran731 in reply to

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.

hairbrain4 profile image
hairbrain4 in reply to Corran731

Did you have the new 3D MRI? or the regular MRI

Corran731 profile image
Corran731 in reply to hairbrain4

Regular

Sleepy01 profile image
Sleepy01

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.

Good Luck!

Lazy_dog_lover profile image
Lazy_dog_lover

$350 American would be cheap. I would worry about quality at that price. My knee MRI years ago was over $500.

MRIs are essential diagnostic tools for MS. They should be covered to some degree. US hospitals can negotiate if the balance is a hardship.

Fight for it. You are worth it.

IFwczs profile image
IFwczs

My portion for the pre-Ocrevus bi-annual blood work alone was $500. And my husband pays a ton of money for my insurance.

OKgal profile image
OKgal

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.

Kenu profile image
Kenu

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 👍🐾🐾

carolek572 profile image
carolek572CommunityAmbassador

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! :-D

RoyceNewton profile image
RoyceNewton in reply to carolek572

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

carolek572 profile image
carolek572CommunityAmbassador in reply to RoyceNewton

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? :-D

Where can you get an MRI for $350????

cljones profile image
cljones

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.

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