Shopping for an MRI

**raider.adam** · 08-01-2012, 03:24 PM

Just went through an interesting health care process that reinforced my view that we need to focus more on the costs of healthcare than the institution of health insurance.

I need to get an MRI and such diagnostics fall under my $1000 policy deductible, so shopping around for pricing is important. I have no problem calling and asking prices, I do it for everything else. (Well, not exactly. Most other things I can price shop online... no such luck for an MRI as far as I know.)

The first question I get asked when I inquired about the price is "Through insurance or self pay?". After I tell them I would like both prices (self pay wouldn't pay down my deductible) and give them the script, I got an interesting set of prices.

One of the more reasonably priced centers was $475 self pay and $1000 if they file it through my insurance. The most shocking? Jefferson University. $1288 self pay and $3200 if they bill it through my insurance. The best deal was a place that said it will range from $399-$499 and be billed through my insurance.

I wonder how our medical system would function if there were less billing games and more open pricing.

**five apples** · 08-01-2012, 04:57 PM

Originally Posted by raider.adam

Just went through an interesting health care process that reinforced my view that we need to focus more on the costs of healthcare than the institution of health insurance.

I need to get an MRI and such diagnostics fall under my $1000 policy deductible, so shopping around for pricing is important. I have no problem calling and asking prices, I do it for everything else. (Well, not exactly. Most other things I can price shop online... no such luck for an MRI as far as I know.)

The first question I get asked when I inquired about the price is "Through insurance or self pay?". After I tell them I would like both prices (self pay wouldn't pay down my deductible) and give them the script, I got an interesting set of prices.

One of the more reasonably priced centers was $475 self pay and $1000 if they file it through my insurance. The most shocking? Jefferson University. $1288 self pay and $3200 if they bill it through my insurance. The best deal was a place that said it will range from $399-$499 and be billed through my insurance.

I wonder how our medical system would function if there were less billing games and more open pricing.

I don't know what open pricing does for you though. Not all medical practices take all insurance, I find that I am most often forced to deal with those in my network. In the end, what is going to matter to most, is convenience and what they themselves pay. I think what we should do, which I mentioned in another thread, is do what they do in Germany. Get all of the national insurers and major health care providers and agree on pricing. Than what "obamacare" is proposing with mandatory insurance might actually make it cheaper. Till than, the issue will not be the ability to get coverage (now that you can't be denied coverage) but the ability to afford it.

**raider.adam** · 08-01-2012, 05:44 PM

Originally Posted by five apples

I don't know what open pricing does for you though. Not all medical practices take all insurance, I find that I am most often forced to deal with those in my network. In the end, what is going to matter to most, is convenience and what they themselves pay. I think what we should do, which I mentioned in another thread, is do what they do in Germany. Get all of the national insurers and major health care providers and agree on pricing. Than what "obamacare" is proposing with mandatory insurance might actually make it cheaper. Till than, the issue will not be the ability to get coverage (now that you can't be denied coverage) but the ability to afford it.

I don't know if I think it is a good idea for all providers to be forced to sell at the same price. It makes the assumption that all providers are equal. Much like discussed in the other thread about online sales tax and remote retailers, many people make their purchasing decisions based on more than just straight cost.

As for open pricing, how nice would it be if Google had a Google Medical site that functions similar to their shopping site?

I agree affordability is a big issue (as is quality of care), but I still have to think addressing medical costs as opposed to health insurance costs is working on the right part of the curve.

**five apples** · 08-01-2012, 06:05 PM

Originally Posted by raider.adam

I don't know if I think it is a good idea for all providers to be forced to sell at the same price. It makes the assumption that all providers are equal. Much like discussed in the other thread about online sales tax and remote retailers, many people make their purchasing decisions based on more than just straight cost.

As for open pricing, how nice would it be if Google had a Google Medical site that functions similar to their shopping site?

I agree affordability is a big issue (as is quality of care), but I still have to think addressing medical costs as opposed to health insurance costs is working on the right part of the curve.

They do it through an arbitration panel, the assumption being there that it works best for everyone, the hospitals still make money and the insures do as well. It works for them. The fact is, that it does work for the providers now in this country, the issue is really that the insurers are forced to operate at a ridiculous margin. The hospitals main operative is to maximize profit while the insurers at this point seems to just want to stay in business.

Though, a bit of what you are proposing seems to be what the whole exchange thing is supposed to empower on at least the insurance side.

**supersupper** · 08-01-2012, 06:23 PM

Many MRI operations are money-making investment ventures by doctors- they area a peculiar type of animal.

Are the quality of services provided among the variety of MRI providers equal to each other, regardless of cost ?

You looked for and found the lowest cost. the problem is..... what ?

If you aren't working for a large corporation or an employer with leverage, you have little chance of shopping around for good insurance at a low cost, and that only matters if you do not make alot of money (in which case you could probably pay your own way without insurance).

**NickTheCage** · 08-01-2012, 06:24 PM

Originally Posted by raider.adam

Just went through an interesting health care process that reinforced my view that we need to focus more on the costs of healthcare than the institution of health insurance.

I need to get an MRI and such diagnostics fall under my $1000 policy deductible, so shopping around for pricing is important. I have no problem calling and asking prices, I do it for everything else. (Well, not exactly. Most other things I can price shop online... no such luck for an MRI as far as I know.)

The first question I get asked when I inquired about the price is "Through insurance or self pay?". After I tell them I would like both prices (self pay wouldn't pay down my deductible) and give them the script, I got an interesting set of prices.

One of the more reasonably priced centers was $475 self pay and $1000 if they file it through my insurance. The most shocking? Jefferson University. $1288 self pay and $3200 if they bill it through my insurance. The best deal was a place that said it will range from $399-$499 and be billed through my insurance.

I wonder how our medical system would function if there were less billing games and more open pricing.

Don't wonder as you just experienced it. Something I have said is imagine how it would function if you didn't have a third party, no matter what entity it may be, paying each and every time u went to the dr. because you passed gas the wrong way

**jizay** · 08-01-2012, 07:00 PM

Simple first degree price discrimination. People self-paying have a different demand function. No different than charging less for students/senior citizens, booking a flight well in advance, or using coupons. Why should healthcare products be different than other goods?

Edit: *third degree

**toxigal** · 08-01-2012, 08:57 PM

Originally Posted by raider.adam

Just went through an interesting health care process that reinforced my view that we need to focus more on the costs of healthcare than the institution of health insurance.

I need to get an MRI and such diagnostics fall under my $1000 policy deductible, so shopping around for pricing is important. I have no problem calling and asking prices, I do it for everything else. (Well, not exactly. Most other things I can price shop online... no such luck for an MRI as far as I know.)

The first question I get asked when I inquired about the price is "Through insurance or self pay?". After I tell them I would like both prices (self pay wouldn't pay down my deductible) and give them the script, I got an interesting set of prices.

One of the more reasonably priced centers was $475 self pay and $1000 if they file it through my insurance. The most shocking? Jefferson University. $1288 self pay and $3200 if they bill it through my insurance. The best deal was a place that said it will range from $399-$499 and be billed through my insurance.

I wonder how our medical system would function if there were less billing games and more open pricing.

Did you get a quote from Penn? I have had over a dozen MRI's. The last one was at Penn and when i got the insuranKce statement i actually called to see if fraud had been committed. the bill was 16K. most of the paid for the neurologist, i think. but it was a total shock compared to the bills i got from university of maryland.

**raider.adam** · 08-02-2012, 09:31 AM

Originally Posted by supersupper

Many MRI operations are money-making investment ventures by doctors- they area a peculiar type of animal.

Are the quality of services provided among the variety of MRI providers equal to each other, regardless of cost ?

You looked for and found the lowest cost. the problem is..... what ?

I was making an observation on the different price quotes based on self pay or if through insurance.

If you aren't working for a large corporation or an employer with leverage, you have little chance of shopping around for good insurance at a low cost, and that only matters if you do not make alot of money (in which case you could probably pay your own way without insurance).

I'm not talking about shopping for insurance.

Originally Posted by toxigal

Did you get a quote from Penn? I have had over a dozen MRI's. The last one was at Penn and when i got the insuranKce statement i actually called to see if fraud had been committed. the bill was 16K. most of the paid for the neurologist, i think. but it was a total shock compared to the bills i got from university of maryland.

No. Penn wasn't offered up as one of my options for MRI (though Penn Presbyterian is my general practitioner), so I didn't call them.