Holy cow MRIs are expensive

Yes, they are expensive.

But they also cost $1 million minimum. And $100k a year to upkeep. Plus doctor time($200/hr), plus technologist time.

My opinion, if the radiologist and your doctor are good, it'll be worth your while because your treatment plan will be good.

Just be glad you're not being pumped full of radiation.

Cortisone is like crack.  You'll be back for more.  Better to fix the problem than to just put a bandaid on it and say it's better. 

That depends on what the problem is. In some cases, injecting an anti-inflammatory is exactly the right thing to do.

True...but that is why the test is necessary, to rule one out over the other.  What damage could be caused by treating for something lesser when the problem could be greater?

Edited by crazyyella 2009-07-09 3:35 PM

My mom went through this same issue this year. Sciatic nerve problems and a squished disk.

Just like curing any problem... start with the small stuff first to see if it works (ie the shot) if it doesn't work then escalate. She ended up having surgery to clear up the problems. Recovery time was about a month.

another option is to call the MRI facility, especially if it is freestanding and not part of a hospital and ask them how much $ will the MRI cost if you pay cash.
My insurance has a very high deductable and it was going to cost $900. The cash price was only $400.
Good luck with your back.

Why would someone want to give their "holy cow" an MRI?

Edited by zed707 2009-07-09 4:09 PM

Udder pain.

Depends on how much is at steak. 

Endorecto-coil MRI's are somewhere in between those two...but talk about uncomfortable (I have never had one but working in Healthcare I have heard some stories.)

X2!!!  Had to get a lumbar spine MRI last year.  To go through my insurance company, it would have cost me more because I hadn't met my deductible for the year yet.  I was given a "cash" option, which turned out to be much cheaper ($300), than dealing with it through insurance. 

BTW, I'm guessing that if it is a "squished disc", it is likely the direct cause of your sciatic nerve problems.  If it were me, I'd get the MRI because I would want the peace of mind and the knowledge of what is possibly causing my back and/or leg pain.  But that's just me. 

FWIW, epidural injections can be quite expensive, too!  I was quoted $1,600 for 1 injection...cripes, that's more than the MRI! 

My family works at a hospital and they all say MRI's are one of the profitable procedures in a hospital.

Fyi, I used cortisone to get 9 months of swimming my senior year in H.S. I now have chronic shoulder pain and discomfort. All the shots did wass cover the real issues. I suggest saving some money and getting the correct diagnosis.  It will save you peace of mind, and maybe money, in the long run.

that's why there is all this talk about health care reform...

ridiculous prices for medical services.

i'm sure that the costs to upkeep an MRI are only that expensive here in the US.

just sayin'

You shouldn't be so sure. MRI's are high tech machines with high tech maintenance needs. That isn't a US thing.

i agree with you in that they're high tech machines...but ppl in Honduras, Mexico, Canada, etc get MRIs. i'm positive that hospitals and patients don't pay those astronomical prices.

3 mri's, 6 injections, 2 back surgeries last year....the mri is just the begining!!

I had to get an MRi for my back and was have terrible insurance so needed to do everything out of pocket...I wsa quoted a cash prie of $750...way out of my budget...luckily i have doctor friends that called in faavors..it ended up costing me $275...but then had to pay $150 for  a consultation for my epidural shots, $125 each for 3 shots and another $50 each for 2 sacrialiac joint shots...I can't beleive it cost me so mjuch to fix my back, but it was all worth it...
do you have doctor friends that can call in favors for you?  MAny places will work with you if you are paying vash...jsut call around to an MRI center...

You're positive, but you have nothing to back that up?

 the upkeep of the magnet is pretty much the same everywhere.. their cost for the machine is usually much less, since many machine that are replaced are resold to other countries so they are getting much older technology in some cases.  It's still better than what they had, but think of it like house's   I'm sure there are lots of cheaper homes also in places like honduras, mexico and canada

I had a head MRI and never even thought about the cost. Now I owe the hospital a LOT of money (and found out how high my deductible really is...).

I shoot the tube again at the end of July. At least my deductible is met. Worst part is that I will only be halfway through paying off this round before January hits and I have to start over with a new deductible.

No, wait: the worst part was when my brother said, "Oh yeah, I can get you an MRI for free." AFTER I'd already gotten the first one. Thanks, bro. But I will totally be flying to DC ($100 plane tix) next year!

try finding an office not located at the hospital...my first one at the hospital cost me $500 or so dollars out of pocket...my second one outside of the hospital cost me $88 out of pocket...I have blue cross blue shield that I pay for on a private policy...so its not very good insurance either...