MRIs: What do insurance companies usually pay and, if no insurance, how much you gotta pay in cash?

Question

I know that the MRI places can charge $15-1600 or more and that the insurance companies don't pay that much. What do insurance companies pay?

And if you don't have insurance, how much do you pay the MRI place?

Answer 1

Most health insurances WILL cover standard Radiographic tests such as CT scans, X-rays and MRI's. As far as not having health insurance, most hospitals and maybe doctors offices will offer a financial aid for people who do not have health insurance. MRI's are used for diagnostic purposes so, if you need one and your doctor has ordered one, then I don't see why you would have a hard time getting your health insurance to cover it, or to get financial aid for one. If you can't get financial aid to assist you, than the MRI place or hospital will be able to work a payment plan out with you. Good Luck!

Answer 2

There are a lot of variables to your question.

The allowable amount of the procedure would hidge on the zip code where services are rendered, procedure codes billed and the contract with that paticular facility.

Generally speaking the MRI companies bill somewhere in the range of $1200 per episode. The insurance company will leverage about $600-$900.

If you are looking to get this done, I would suggest reaching out to a radiology facility versus doing this out-patient hospital. You are more likely to work a deal with the smaller facility then the monster hospital system. Call around... you may get a better deal in the less populated areas of town.

FYI- Keep in mind that the MRI itself is not the only charge... A radiologist will often sneak a seperate bill in there for about $100-200.

Answer 3

Assuming you are in the US - an MRI can easily run 2000-2500. Plus you will have to pay several hundred to the radiologist who reads the MRI.

If you have health insurance, you pay per your health insurance plan. Call the customer service for your health insurance and ask them about your plan details. Most health insurance companies have an approved charge that is about 60% of what the providers normal charge is. You would pay your co-pay amount (ex: 20%) of the approved charge.

If you do not have health insurance, the hospital will bill you the full price. You can call them and set up a payment plan- say 100 per month. This is usually interest free. As long as you make your payments every month- they will not put it on your credit. If you can pay them a lump sum, they may be willing to negotiate with you and accept less.

Answer 4

I just had a CT scan done they charged my insurance $542.00 and I owe nothing. I have awesome insurance. My insurance paid the entire amount. Now I also had an MRI done recently, but I have not got the EOB on that one yet. I'm sure they paid well on that too. I am guessing if you don't have ins. you would have to pay the MRI place the full amount.