Where/How to get a cheap MRI, in the denver area??

[Divebomber]

had a bad landing with my right leg fully extended, Lots of pain.
pretty sure I have no Ligament tear but think something is up with my medial meniscus. Would like to get an MRI, but they are quite expensive, out of pocket. so anyone know of any good MRI deals, in denver or with in driving distance?

[nick > jesus]

no insurance?

[jerlane]

You need someone to order the MRI for you in the first place. You'd probably be better off by seeing an orthopedist first. It difficult to self diagnose a meniscus tear. You may have something like an MCL sprain and who knows, might not need an MRI anyways. It's tough to say without hearing more about your symptoms. (I know, advice you didn't ask for)

[Divebomber]

Yeah I heard that, I went to Vail ortho, previously, 100 bucks just to tell me, "its OK" didnt feel like wasting another 100 just to get them to say "we can tell much with out an MRI"
Trying to see if theres a "back door method", you know like "we need to test out the machine, stick you leg in there lets see if works"

[splat]

The straight dope:

My MRI a month ago for my medial meniscus was billed to the insurance company at $1,680

I got the paperwork that showed the bill was settled by the insurance company for $680.
This is how the people who don't have insurance get fukked for not buying it if you pay cash.
But now you know the numbers. Sack up and negotiate until you get in that range for a cash dealio.

[jerlane]

Yeah I heard that, I went to Vail ortho, previously, 100 bucks just to tell me, "its OK" didnt feel like wasting another 100 just to get them to say "we can tell much with out an MRI"
Trying to see if theres a "back door method", you know like "we need to test out the machine, stick you leg in there lets see if works"

I hear your frustration. I've never heard of anyone "just going in for an MRI" but you could try calling around the different imaging centers and see if you can get a better deal since you are paying out of pocket. Don't forget you'll have to get someone to read it for you, too. Good luck.

[skideeppow]

My MRI last month was also billed to insureance at 2100 (aspen valley hospital). I paid $0 because of my sickening insurance.
I can not tell you how important insurance is. If you did your ACL and have to have surgery, you are looking at over 15k out of pocket. THis is painful.

I dont want to preach, but it is irresponsible to step outside your door without coverage. If you are young enough you should be able to get on board with a company at a reasonable rate, IMHO

[montanaskier]

my MRI was billed at 1600.....the Dr. fees were over 11k, the surgery center fees were 25k, so far I am out my 500 deduct plus my max out of pocket for the surgery of 1500.

Without insurance and counting Anesthesia fees this would be a 40k deal! Got to have insurance my brothers.

[summit]

You think someone is going to do a backdoor MRI and then interpret it for you? If your father-in-law is a doc, mabye, otherwise keep fucking dreaming.

Go back to see VSO. They are very good. They do give a discount for self-pay. It isn't much but it is some. Get told "don't worry" or get told "get an MRI." It is possible to get an MRI in D-town for $500-$700 but it will require going in at 3am-ish and it may need a referral from a community health clinic (ie, proof of low-income).

[haydukelives]

no reason to do it.

[fallguy]

doctor has to order mri for you to get one. unless you know an mri tech and they work some magic for you. then someone needs to interpret ( ie. a md.) if you saw a decent dr. they can make a pretty good call from the clinical exam as to whats going on. rest, ice, compression, elevate and anti-inflamatories is next best bet for a couple of weeks. still bother you after that think about seeing someone to reevaluate. mri can be as low as around $650 up to around $3k with the reading being additional. spendy.

[telestoner]

might want to think about getting insurance first, waiting the 3mo or whatever, say its not preexisting, then getting it diagnosed. that way the insurance ought to cover you. my friend did this then found out he didn't need surgery (ha ha). you might be f-ed if the vail ortho visit made it into your medical records, but i don't know how all that works.

[Woodlandclown]

might want to think about getting insurance first, waiting the 3mo or whatever, say its not preexisting, then getting it diagnosed. that way the insurance ought to cover you. my friend did this then found out he didn't need surgery (ha ha). you might be f-ed if the vail ortho visit made it into your medical records, but i don't know how all that works.

yeah, thats called insurance fraud. Unfortunately, you already saw a doctor. If you can afford insurance why would you not have it to begin with? Get insurance, deal with the knee whether you pay or not. Its your knee, you can get another one, but why would you want too?