Biked 15 miles today.
Anyone know of an inexpensive MRI facility? My insurance has lousy coverage and I have to met a high deductible before coverage starts, which means I have to pay for the MRI out of pocket. Don't you love the way local city government takes care of public servants? Don't get me started! Anyways, the best price I've found so far is $505 for everything. Anyone think I can beat this price?
I've put it off as long as I can. Most of March, I've had to take four ibuprofen in the morning and four more at night. Now, the knee aches 24/7 and is affecting the non-running part of my life with or without meds.
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13 comments:
Bill I am so sorry to hear about that. I had an expensive MRI for my knee before the 2006 Houston marathon. I don't know of a cheap one.
BUMMER, Bill = (
I don't know of anything...hope you find something...$505 doesn't sound too bad...my first one was $1500! Guess the prices are coming down...
Insurance is a weird and odd ordeal, to the point where it seems like a scam. I called several different radiologists. Three of them gave me a price near 1k for a knee MRI with interpretation, but after I asked for the "cash" price I was quoted something in the 500-650 ranges.
No wonder medical insurance is so expensive!
Bill,
Doesn't your wife work for a hospital? I think I solved your problem.
Ha-ha anonymous,
If it were up to her, my “Primary Care Physician” would be Dr. Kevorkian.
It’s simple to ask your neighbor for a cup of sugar, but it’s a different arena when you’ re asking to borrow someone’s million-dollar machine. Plus, I learned today that the interpretation cost as much as the scan.
Got my shoulder MRI'd last summer based on a referral from Koala. Believe it was about $700. You might want to call the office, they'll give you the straight scoop.
Steeeve
Hi!
I found your blog at random. I don't know of any cheap MRI's because I live in Canada, and when I had my shoulder MRI'd in December, it was covered but it took a long time to get.
What I can say is that knee pain sucks. I tore my ACL, and now I can run through anything. Nothing compares to knee pain!
Hang in there,
Tiger
Bill,
The 1K that you were quoted isn't what the provider would be reimbursed. By having a contract with your insurance company, yes, that is what the "bill" is, but it is not what they will receive in cash. However, it is what they'll calculate your 10% or 20% percent deductible or co-pay with.
When I was a rookie Business Office Director in the early 90s (before even more pressure from insurance companies on providers to accept lower reimbursements), my CFO told me to accept any cash offer where we received more than 60% of what the average price was.
I wouldn't necessarily call it a scam, but it is an unfortunate game that is played.
Jon
Any news? It's Monday and I've been thinking about you all weekend...wondering if you were able to get the MRI...
Bill-
I got my Knee MRI'ed at Fallbrook Open MRI. My insurance worked out for me, but the price the office charge insurance was $1778, while the negotiated price with insurance was $525 (the scam). so they might be a place to call and see what the cash price might be. Good luck!
RYAN
Wow Bill, I am sorry your knee is giving you so much trouble. I wish I could help with the MRI info, but I am clueless.
That is really inexpensive. Mine was over $2,000!!!
http://www.wecaremedicalmall.org/
MRIs from $380...I just found this site, my boyfriend seriously needs an MRI for his injured knee; he has also been putting it off because its so expensive! What's wrong with our healthcare system, you ask? Its all about the money they could care less what condition we're in...its sad. Go Universal Healthcare!!!!
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