can't afford another MRI

Possibly once you have paid out a certain dollar amount each year, your insurance will pick up more of the costs. With my policy my share of the cost is higher until I have paid out a certain dollar amount and then they pick up more of the costs.  Check with your insurance co.  Also call the hospital &/or testing center and see if they can offer you any assistance. Sometimes hospitals will reduce their costs or have special program that you may qualify for.  Oftentimes medical facilities have social workers that can recommend options and be of assistance to you.

Not sure where you live but if you're close to the border, we have private MRI clinics in Ontario. The cost for an MRI for both breasts is $800.

I know two years ago when I was diagnosed I needed two MRI's and all the rest of the testing. My insurance is a $500.00 deductible and 80/20 to a certain amount then 100%. I would call the hospital and set up payment plans to pay so much a month. I'm sure they aren't expecting you to pay all that at once. Who can these days.Good luck

Patti,

That's amazing the amount of money the hospital charged you. I'm also on Long Island, and have Blue Cross/Shield, it's the Empire plan, thru my husband's union. Not sure which hospital you went to, but I went to The Woman's Center at St. Francis Hospital, it's by NYIT, not by the actual hospital, and they charged a little under $5,000 for the same type of MRI that you had, and the doctor's reports, etc, ran about $2,000. I didn't owe a cent, not even a co-pay. If you're close to there, and your insurace accepts going there, you might want to check it out. I'm extremly happy going there. I also get my mamo's and ultra sounds there. I also had 3 separate biopsy's done over the last few years, and they also do them there.

Most hospitals will wil work out a payment plan with you, even if it's only $100 a month. Just get in touch with their billing department.

Good luck with everything.

I'm still in utter shock how much an MRI costs!! Are you able to negotiate the price. I live in the US for 1/2 a year and I know whenever I've needed medical care, they have a "cash" price that is way less than there regular price. Of course, when I'm in Canada I have no idea what any medical care costs but I wonder if the price is a lot less than in the US. As mentioned in an earlier post, I know that they have a private clinic here that does breast MRI for $800. Actually, it might be $600 (my sister thinks she paid $600).

I had this problem also.  I sent my doctor and email to complain.  She said that there was a lot of money to give MRI's and Mammograms to people in need.  Why shouldn't I qualify?  She called the dept and had my bill cancelled.  It is worth it to ask.  She recommended it, after all!

Your problem is one reason I decided to have a Porphelactic Nipple Sparing Masectomy.  I was diagnoised with ALH and would have to have an MRI every year with probable biopsies every year.  I also have a strong family history of BC and have had numerous biopsies in the past.  So 10 days ago I had the surgery, the pathology report all came back negative - I dropped my risk from 40% to less than 5%, no tamoxifen, no MRIs, no Mammograms, no more worry every year.  Plus my insurance is paying (after my dedcutable, which I met in January for the biopsy) for the surgeon and plastic surgeon!!  Just an option - and I feel great!!