MRI cost

Caedwyn

I just got recommended to have an MRI with tracer dye based on atypical cells on needle biopsy. How much does MRI typically cost? The surgeon guessed about $1000-$2000 (though strangely she didn't even want to make a guess on cost of surgical biopsy). I've heard of much higher costs for MRI, and I'm a bit concerned because I do have a 10% copay that I'll need to plan for. I live in Orange County, CA. Anyone know what I can expect?

farmerlucy

When I had my MRI this year in Jan BCBS was really backlogged due to the ACA changes. My old group policy was cancelled and the new individual plan was taking over. I was unsure about the cost and my center told me the worst case would be that my insurance would not cover it and I would have to pay the cash price of like $1200. I didn't think that was too bad. As it turned out I only had to pay $50. 

Also I recently called the hospital about an emergency room visit my elderly FIL had made and a charge of $800. I flat out asked for a discount and they said if I paid the bill in full that day they would give me a 40% discount. Heck yeah.

leaf

I've heard that cost can vary greatly from place to place too.  I have heard stories that a local MRI machine gave very different results from a more state-of-the-art MRI machine at a tertiary health care place - this was in regard to brain or spine imaging, which changed whether a person had brain surgery or not. (I have heard that different MRI machines can have different powers, affecting the imaging.  One measurement may be a ?Tesla, a measurement of the magnetic imaging strength.)  There's a lot I don't understand here.

I've heard of breast MRIs costing some $5K, but that was several years ago.  I don't know if the cost has come down due to increased use of breast MRIs, or the cost has gone up due to inflation.

One option might be to call up the facility that might be doing the MRI and ask them?

Anonymous

my yearly MRI costs about $2300 (upstate NY)---my insurance only allows about $780, which I have to pay due to a high deductible. I would definitely call the facility and ask what they charge ahead of time.

anne

DocBabs

It really depends on where you live. Here in NYC it can go from $3K and up. Don't hesitate to ask wherever you go.

Barbara