The US has inexpensive MRIs as well.
This nationwide chain provides MRIs as low as $335 depending on the state.
No insurance accepted, no payment plans. Those cost money. Just charges the cost.
This nationwide chain provides MRIs as low as $335 depending on the state.
No insurance accepted, no payment plans. Those cost money. Just charges the cost.
Insurance works great for catastrophic things, just like car insurance and then it clearly makes sense to make it universal. If you could only buy gas through your car insurance--who occasionally would decide you drive too much and not cover this months' gas--you can bet prices would go sky high.
Well, with many insurance companies there can be an additional cost. Submitting the claims, filling out the paperwork, proving the work was done, etc... all add up. Depending on how much work a person does with an insurance company it could easily add up to another full time employee.
Two possible issues here. First, it _does_ cost more to reclaim payment from an insurance company than to get it from the consumer. There are the forms to be considered, and also the fact that insurers often pay substantially in arrears. Also, did you end up paying cash? Some providers of services like this will prefer a cash deal, as they do not necessarily plan to declare it.
[1] Vanguard documentary "Oxycontin Express": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7DHMqHFSB8#t=1250s
If they'd really get out of the way, MRIs could perhaps cost $200 in the USA due to the volume that could be absorbed by clinics.