Where to go for the cheapest MRI in Chicago? (Lake Forest: insurance, how much)

[jek74]

I currently need to get an MRI for the brain without contrast. My doctor submitted an order at Northwestern downtown. After doing some research it appears that the price of an MRI can vary greatly. Does anyone have any ideas on the cheapest one in the Chicago area? Also does anyone have any experience with getting an MRI at the Arkes Family Pavilion which is part of Northwestern Hospital. Thanks.

[marothisu]

Wouldn't it kind of vary on your medical insurance too? If your medical insurance is good and covers it, then you might not end up paying that much even if you went to Northwestern Medical.

[jek74]

Originally Posted by marothisu

Wouldn't it kind of vary on your medical insurance too? If your medical insurance is good and covers it, then you might not end up paying that much even if you went to Northwestern Medical.

My deductible is 1750 I think. It seems the avg cost for this procedure is about 1500 nationally. But can vary widely city by city and hospital by hospital. I've heard some people say as low as 500 to 700. I assume I would have to pay everything up to my deductible so the lower the better.

[jek74]

If anyone is interested, MRI River north appears to offer a very competitive rate. I made the choice to use them.

[branch28]

OT, but interesting.....I heard an analyst on TV talking about "health care" and they commented that a DVD player cost $1000 ten years ago, now it's $40 at Walmart, yet somehow our healthcare costs, like "MRI"'s never fall in price. Computer costs have also deflated like the cost of a Dell computer ($399), and the stock is now below $10 per share! Think about it...

[gomexico]

Originally Posted by jek74

My deductible is 1750 I think. It seems the avg cost for this procedure is about 1500 nationally. But can vary widely city by city and hospital by hospital. I've heard some people say as low as 500 to 700. I assume I would have to pay everything up to my deductible so the lower the better.

You have a plan where the insurance company pays nothing until you put-out $1,750? Sounds odd to me. While there are those sorts of high-deductable plans I doubt most of us participating here have them. They tend to be for professionals earning larger sums of money. I'm in a Blue Cross-Blue Shield group plan sponsored by my employer and I'd pay 20% of the cost of this test, the insurance company 80%. Once I reach my $2,000 annual out-of-pocket under that formula the insuranc ecompany pays 100%. Cheaper isn't always better. If this were me and I couldn't afford the test at the center recommended by my primary care physician, or specialist, I'd have a conversation with him/her, frankly disclose my financial concerns, and ask for an alternative. The important thing here is having the test performed and reviewed at a center which your physician has confidence ... because he/she is advising you on a matter which could be life threatening or otherwise serious.

[Suburban Mom of 2 Kids]

Keep in mind that the price you were quoted for the test is probably NOT the negotiated rate with your insurance company. The negotiated rate for the test is probably lower than the rack rate quoted to you....

I just recently had an MRI performed at Northwestern's Lake Forest campus on a different body party, and all went well.

You will also be billed for the dr. who reads the MRI and concludes on findings as a separate charge.

[sfcambridge]

You need to talk with your doctor. Cheap MRI usually equals = low quality MRI. If your MRI was ordered by a neurologist, they will not be happy if you come in with a crappy MRI picture that makes the test unhelpful. Then you need to repeat the test. Sometimes neurologists even put a specific request on the order for the 3T MRI scanner at Northwestern (that gives the clearest pictures) and you can't get that done for a $399 special at the local drive through MRI.

I assure you - do not cut corners here without talking to your doctor.

You should also be talking to Northwestern's billing office to ask what they will charge you (and remember, they will discount it for your insurance company). It will also be 2 charges - the MRI itself, and a separate charge for the radiologist who reads the MRI. Sometimes there is even a 3rd charge, so you need to ask a lot of questions to every place you call.

You also have to be careful not to go outside of your insurance company network for any of these charges or you wont get the reduced rate that your insurance company can demand.

And I am assuming you have already had a detailed talk with your doctor about how much you need this MRI. Let's put it this way.... if your doctor says... "you can get the test anywhere....", then I suspect this is a test being ordered not for the most necessary or reasons. Because the doctor's comment suggests he doesn't care about the quality of the test. And if it isn't being ordered by a Neurologist, I would see a Neurologist first.

And gomexico - I am surprised by your post. You are not well informed. Many of us are on deductible plans higher then the OP. I have a $5,000 deductible. And that is not the common plan among the wealthy. It is the common plan among the self-insured, the poor, the young, the struggling.

[aragx6]

Originally Posted by gomexico

You have a plan where the insurance company pays nothing until you put-out $1,750? Sounds odd to me. While there are those sorts of high-deductable plans I doubt most of us participating here have them. They tend to be for professionals earning larger sums of money. I'm in a Blue Cross-Blue Shield group plan sponsored by my employer and I'd pay 20% of the cost of this test, the insurance company 80%. Once I reach my $2,000 annual out-of-pocket under that formula the insuranc ecompany pays 100%. Cheaper isn't always better. If this were me and I couldn't afford the test at the center recommended by my primary care physician, or specialist, I'd have a conversation with him/her, frankly disclose my financial concerns, and ask for an alternative. The important thing here is having the test performed and reviewed at a center which your physician has confidence ... because he/she is advising you on a matter which could be life threatening or otherwise serious.

My company offers a $2,500 deductible plan and it still cost me almost $100/mo. It's a lot more common than you think. This is why I got on my husband's plan as soon as we were married.

[iuoe4]

I got an MRI scan in a suburb in northwest Indiana at such a low price, but it was not compensated by low quality, or run of the mill place. I was referred here by a co-worker who went here, but I wasn't expecting too much especially at the price.

Due to my neurological condition, I am getting yearly MRIs - I have been to several including (referred by my doctor) Lincoln Imaging center, Chicago Northwest MRI - These places advertise low cash prices, and what you get is low quality scans, and such lousy care and overall experience!!! DO not go to those!

Highland Diagnostics is just 30-40 minutes away from Chicago but you get the best care, service, and it is not run down! The facility is brand new and right off the expressway! For just $400 per scan, it is too hard to be true! I had to pay (out of pocket) $2200 for an MRI at the hospital due to my high deductible! I am still paying that off! Ridiculous.

www.highlanddiagnostics.com just $400 (Total with the radiology report!!!) for those who have such high deductibles.