Are you concerned about how much your MRI exam will cost you? If your insurance plan has a deductible or coinsurance, or if the exam you need is not covered by insurance, you may pay significantly more for your imaging exam at a hospital than you will pay at Midwest Imaging Center. As discussed in more detail below, the actual out-of-pocket costs for each patient will vary based on a number of factors, including whether the patient qualifies for a discount, whether the procedure is covered by insurance, and, if so, whether any deductible, co-insurance or other limitation applies.

If your exam is covered by private insurance:
Your insurer negotiates with imaging providers on your behalf for a “contracted rate” to control cost. The contracted rate is the maximum amount that an imaging provider can collect for a covered service, and is usually less than the standard charge. What is not widely known is that the contracted rate is not the same for all imaging providers, and the contracted rates can be higher for hospitals than for independently-owned outpatient imaging centers like Midwest Imaging Center. At most local hospitals, you also will receive a bill for the radiologist interpretation of your exam and/or facility fees. At Midwest Imaging Center, our charge includes the radiologist interpretation. There is no other bill.

These rates matter. If you have not met your deductible for the year, or if your plan requires coinsurance, then all or part of the charges for your imaging exam will be your responsibility. Since contracted rates vary from one imaging provider to another, and also from one insurance plan to the next, it is important to educate yourself. Before scheduling your next imaging exam at a local hospital, we encourage you to consult with your insurer about coverage, and to ask the hospital what you can expect to pay out-of-pocket, based on their contracted rate and the deductible and co-insurance of your plan. Call us to find out what you can expect to pay out-of-pocket at Midwest Imaging Center as a point of comparison. Like many of our patients, we think you’ll be pleasantly surprised. Why would you pay more? Your Health… Your Choice Midwest Imaging Center. Call and compare at 417-885-1100.

If your exam is not covered by insurance:
If you are scheduling an imaging exam that is not covered by insurance, then, subject to any available discounts, you will be responsible for 100% of the charges for your service. As discussed, the average charges of the local hospitals can be significantly higher than the average charges of an independently-owned outpatient imaging center like Midwest Imaging Center. Before scheduling your next imaging exam at a local hospital, we encourage you to ask the hospital for their charges, including any radiology fees that might be independently billed. You also should ask whether the hospital offers any discounts, including for partial or full pre-payment. Then call us to find out the Midwest Imaging Center all inclusive charges and available discounts as a point of comparison. Like many of our patients, we think you’ll be pleasantly surprised. Why would you pay more? Your Health… Your Choice Midwest Imaging Center. Call and compare at 417-885-1100.