| MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, is a common | | | | the more you will pay for an MRI. |
| procedure that can find abnormalities throughout the | | | | The cost of MRI procedures can often be covered by |
| body. It is different from a CT scan because it uses | | | | insurance companies. However, if the insurance |
| the magnetic force to create signals and reactions | | | | company deems it an unnecessary procedure, you will |
| with protons in the body. This creates an image of the | | | | be on your own to make up the cost of the scan. You |
| internal structures that doctors can use to diagnose | | | | should always inquire with your insurance company |
| and treat a variety of conditions. CT scans, on the | | | | prior to having an MRI done to see if it is covered. |
| other hand, are simply complete three dimensional x | | | | The cost of MRI scans is so high because the |
| rays of the body. | | | | machines are expensive and the procedure is time |
| The cost of MRI scans ranges between $600 and | | | | consuming. Additionally, there are new MRI machines |
| $3500, depending on where your procedure is done | | | | that have an open layout, which is more comfortable |
| and how intensive it is. For example, having an MRI of | | | | for many people than older machines. These wide |
| your head or chest would be much less expensive | | | | open MRIs will cost far more than scans done with |
| than having an MRI of your whole body done. The | | | | traditional machines though the cost may be worth it |
| more time it takes and the more scanning that is done, | | | | for the extra comfort. |