Magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, in general, is a machine that uses magnets and radio waves to produce black and white images of bones and organs to detect a variety of conditions of the human body. It looks like an open tunnel and patients are placed on a table that slides into the machine.
Now, the brain is an organ susceptible to attacks like cysts, inflammatory conditions, tumors, swelling, bleeding, abnormalities, infections, or problems with the veins and blood vessels. Having an MRI of the brain can be useful in assessing problems like seizures, migraines, dizziness, blurry visions or chronic diseases of the nervous system.
However, MRI is still limited in detecting conditions like mental illness. But they come in handy when visualizing brain changes in certain disorders of the mind. MRI picks up subtle changes of brain activity. It is more sensitive than CT scans and can pick up very small cysts or tumors in areas where other imaging machines like X-ray, CT scan or ultrasound, can’t detect.
Preparations For Brain MRI
There are no big or special preparations to be made. Just do away with metallic objects like glasses or jewelry as they will hamper the procedure. Any internal metals like a heart pacer should be announced before. If you feel cold, ask for a blanket before the procedure.
MRIs are safe since they do not use radiation, but rather low energy waves to read your brain activity. But you should let your radiologist know if you have other serious health problems or recent surgeries. If you have conditions like kidney diseases or transplants, it may be deemed impossible for you to be given a contrast solution for MRI.
Women should spill that they are pregnant, because the unborn child cannot handle the magnetic field during the first trimester of the mother’s pregnancy.
Fasting may be required for people who suffer claustrophobia or anxiety attacks because they would require sedation so that they can relax. Sedation can cause vomiting if your stomach is full.
Make-ups sometimes interfere with the procedure as some have particles that can inhibit the value of the scan and readings.
Average Cost of Brain MRI
The average cost of Brain MRI reaches $1,600 to $8,500, which makes up for the scan, doctor’s fees and complication of the state being observed. How much does a brain MRI cost depends on location. However, there is a published national rate for the procedure. The national minimum price is $1,600 which can be found in Lincolnton, NC, a national average cost of Brain MRI of $2,625, and the national maximum price which is at Ketchikan, AK.
Estimated rates from these locations are as follows: In San Diego, CA, the cost takes you from $600 to $1,550; Tampa, FL can give you $675 to $1,650; Denver, CO with $675 to $1,700; San Francisco, CA and Minneapolis, MN for $675 to $1,750; Boston, MA, Seattle, WA and Baltimore, MD reaches $700 to $1,800; and, Detroit, MI with $725 to $725 to $1,900.
Hospitals around the country, from Kokomo, IN to Richardton, ND, offer prices from $550 to $4,200.
If you are a shaky, anxious patient, you are entitled to have a mild sedative which can cost you staring from $125 to $400.
Also, if you need a contrast solution, you would be required to have a dye injected into your body to help make your procedures better for $100 to $300. Also ranging from the same price will the contrast solution be if goes to you by an IV. Contrast solutions are generally safe unless you’re allergic to it.
All of these are costly unless you have a head MRI price with insurance.
Tips to Reduce the Cost of Brain MRI
Your MRI is covered by health insurance. Your head MRI price with insurance will be reimbursed by your insurance company. Unless, otherwise stated, if it is not entirely covered, they will cover some of the expense. Better like that than none at all.
For those who don’t have or don’t want to use their insurance, many hospitals offer 15% to 50% discounts if you pay with full cash or credit within the payment period of 60 days.
The hospital may offer financial assistance depending on your family’s income if it’s within the poverty line. They can also offer a payment plan that both parties can agree in advance, mostly if you can present that you are not capable of paying for the procedure.
Another option is for you to go to an imaging center rather than a hospital. They can give you cheaper rates and would advise you on how much does a brain MRI cost in order to offer you a reasonable discount within your means.
Your Brain MRI scan results normally will be out within 24 hours but can go up to 4 days or a week. It highly depends on the urgency of the result to be needed or the complexity of the examination.
Preparation Tips for Brain MRI
Your radiologist or radiographer will describe the scanning procedure to you. By this time, you already have told them about your anxieties or internal metal clippers so that they have an idea and can adapt to it for your sake as well.
During the MRI scan, you will be asked to lie very still on the MRI table. If you can’t, let them sedate you. A piece of coil will be placed around the part of your head being scanned. This equipment picks up the MRI signal from which the images are produced.
There is a two-way intercom inside the machine so that you can talk with your radiographer. Your Rg watches you from a window in the other room during the length of the procedure.
If you have anxiety attacks during the scan, just squeeze the panic button they hand to you, and they’ll stop the procedure and let you out.
The scan lasts 20-60 minutes but may take longer for complicated issues.
Patients can expect to hear buzzing noises from the machine, but your radiographer can hand you earplugs for that. You can’t bring your Ipod or music player with you since metal products are prohibited during the scan. Some hospitals or imaging center provide a special headphone to listen to the music.