The tingle in your knee won’t go away. Your headaches seem to be more frequent and continue to linger. Whatever the case may be, your physician may recommend that you get an MRI to investigate the unexplainable pain and discomfort. The problem is, that your physician has recommended that you go to a local hospital that charges more than you can afford. Why is an MRI so expensive?
Why Does An MRI Scan Cost So Much?
The total cost of an MRI scan is made up of various fees including a technical fee, professional fee, and facility fee. The technology needed to conduct an MRI can range from $150,000 to $3 million. A customized room must be built to avoid interference from other medical imaging studies taking place within the building. After the setup and installation, an MRI room may cost upwards of $5 million.
At a hospital, the cost of getting an MRI scan done will be more expensive. Many hospitals will increase the cost of getting an MRI to cover other expenses that outpatient imaging centers don’t have. The emergency department and treatment of patients who might not be able to afford medical bills are some of the costs that hospitals include in their pricing. As an outpatient imaging center, MRI services at South Jersey Radiology may cost up to 60% less than hospital-based imaging facilities.
Can I Get An Estimate For An MRI Scan?
Hospital-based imaging facilities don’t only charge more but lack transparency about their costs upfront. When you open a medical bill and see the remaining balance, your jaw should not drop to the floor. At South Jersey Radiology, we understand that the commitment to excellent patient care doesn’t start and end on the day of the appointment. Prior to your appointment, our administrative team will make sure you have an accurate estimate for your medical imaging services.
Is An MRI Covered By Insurance?
If your physician has required you to get an MRI scan, there is a high chance the study will be covered by your health insurance provider. However, coverage denials still can occur for a variety of reasons. Usually, a health insurance provider will deny a request if they believe a different medical imaging study like a CT scan or other options can be done instead. South Jersey Radiology is in network with 99% of health insurance providers and offers preauthorization services to aid your provider during the coverage review process.
South Jersey Radiology Associates offers diagnostic and advanced medical imaging services including MRIs that cost up to 60% less than hospital-based imaging services. Our offices are located conveniently near Philadelphia area bridges and offer weekend hours. If you are ready to schedule your MRI scan, reach out to one of the following locations:
- Marlton (Greentree) Office – Marlton, NJ
- Medford Office – Medford, NJ
- Moorestown Office – Moorestown, NJ
- Mount Laurel Office – Mount Laurel, NJ
- Route 73 (Voorhees) Office – Voorhees Township, NJ
- Sewell (Washington Twp) Office – Sewell, NJ
- Turnersville Office – Turnersville, NJ
- Voorhees (Carnie Blvd) Office – Voorhees Township, NJ
- West Deptford Office – West Deptford, NJ
- Willingboro Office – Willingboro, NJ
Learn more about the board-certified subspecialized radiologists who read and interpret studies at SJRA here.
Frequently Asked Questions
The total cost of an MRI scan includes various fees such as a technical fee, professional fee, and facility fee. Additionally, the technology required for an MRI can range from $150,000 to $3 million, and a customized room must be built to ensure interference from other medical imaging studies is avoided. Overall, the setup and installation of an MRI room can cost upwards of $5 million.
Hospitals generally charge more for MRI scans due to additional expenses they need to cover. These expenses may include the costs associated with operating an emergency department and treating patients across other departments including cardiology and neurology. South Jersey Radiology is an independent, outpatient imaging center that offers MRI services up to 60% less than hospital-based imaging facilities.
Hospital-based imaging facilities often lack transparency when providing upfront cost estimates. More often than not, hospital-based imaging centers may break out the costs across multiple bills to separate the radiologist and equipment/overhead fees. At South Jersey Radiology, we understand the importance of clear communication regarding medical expenses. Prior to your appointment, our team will ensure you receive an accurate estimate for your MRI scan, helping you avoid surprises when you receive your medical bill. When a statement is sent, our team ensures it is a single bill to avoid any confusion.
In most cases, if your physician has recommended an MRI through a referral, there is a high chance it will be covered by your health insurance provider. However, coverage denials can still occur for various reasons. Health insurance providers may deny a request if they believe alternative medical imaging studies, such as a CT scan or other options, can be done instead. South Jersey Radiology is in network with 99% of health insurance providers and offers preauthorization services to assist your provider during the coverage review process.
South Jersey Radiology offers diagnostic and advanced medical imaging services, including MRI scans. To schedule your MRI scan, you can reach out to one of our conveniently located offices below:
• Marlton (Greentree) Office – Marlton, NJ
• Medford Office – Medford, NJ
• Moorestown Office – Moorestown, NJ
• Mount Laurel Office – Mount Laurel, NJ
• Route 73 (Voorhees) Office – Voorhees Township, NJ
• Sewell (Washington Twp) Office – Sewell, NJ
• Turnersville Office – Turnersville, NJ
• Voorhees (Carnie Blvd) Office – Voorhees Township, NJ
• West Deptford Office – West Deptford, NJ
• Willingboro Office – Willingboro, NJ
Our team of board-certified, subspecialized radiologists reads and interprets all of our MRI scans. Learn more about our radiologists by visiting our physician profiles.