MRIs and Imaging Procedures: Never Pay More Than You Have To

Rising MRI Costs Are No Small Problem

If you or someone you know frequents a certain corner of social media, you may have heard something about a hamster getting an MRI scan.

It all started with a user on X (formerly known as Twitter), who wrote on June 4, “I can’t stop thinking about how hamsters get an MRI done.” The attached photos show a hamster wrapped in medical gauze, being rolled into a human-sized MRI scanner on a small, blue pillow. The pictures began trending shortly after being posted, although it wasn't immediately clear why. Were we all laughing at the idea of a tiny hamster being put inside a chamber ten times its size? Some seemed to think so. Others, however, saw the post as drawing attention to the cost of MRIs in the U.S. As many in the "quotes" pointed out, a simple scan like the one pictured above can cost pet owners anywhere from $2,000 to $6,000. And this procedure was for an animal the size of a teacup— what does that mean for us two-legged creatures?

Unfortunately, humans don't fare much better when it comes to imaging procedures. As of 2024, MRIs can put patients anywhere from $400 to $12,000 in the hole. Why such a wide price range? Right now, there are only five MRI manufacturers in the United States, meaning that these companies can essentially charge hospitals whatever they want for machine installations. These costs are then pushed onto patients, along with other procedural incidentals like contrast dyes and radiologist’s fees. And because “negotiated rates” between hospitals and insurers are considered trade secrets, the final cost of these procedures is often shrouded in secrecy.

Green Imaging Steps In

Radiologist Cristin Dickerson, M.D. experienced this issue personally when a local chain of in-network outpatient imaging centers was acquired by a hospital system. As a result, prices tripled— and many patients were suddenly unable to afford care.

This, Dickerson decided, wouldn't do. So, in 2011, she founded Green Imaging, a virtual medical diagnostic testing network promoting affordability and transparency in imaging procedures. Green contracts directly with local imaging centers, meaning patients don’t have to deal with vague “overhead fees” from provider networks. And since Green has its own team of board-certified radiologists to read most exams, plan members can rest assured knowing they're getting their procedure for a fair price. “We operate on a fee-for-service model, which allows employer groups to add us to their plan at no additional cost since there is no PEPM or admin fee,” Dickerson explained in an exclusive interview with CHC. “On average, we save employers and employees 30-80% of total imaging cost, with that variation largely dependent on any existing cost-cutting measures they have in place.”

Affordability and Accessibility: A Winning Combination

One of the highlights of Green Imaging, according to Dickerson, is its accessibility. Whereas traditional hospital systems are often stressful to navigate, Green makes it easy for members to receive quality, affordable care. Compare their 4.8 Google stars to industry standard, median 2.5. “Green Imaging offers a world-class white-glove concierge service to members, taking the stress away from employees seeking to understand, locate, and schedule their appointments,” Dickerson continued. “Usually our clients offer employee incentives such as zero out-of-pocket cost for using Green Imaging. Yet the inertia around behavioral change remains great (i.e. going down the doctor-suggested path down the hall). Some employers even offer additional incentives such as gas cards, gift cards, cash back, and raffles to encourage their employees to recognize the value of choosing Green Imaging.”

Ease of navigation is especially important for members with time-sensitive needs. For example, many school district employees can only schedule exams during summer and winter breaks. Without a reliable partner to guide them to the right facility, they may face roadblocks when making an appointment, causing them to miss the opportunity to undergo a procedure. This situation can quickly become costly for plan sponsors and members, according to Dickerson. “A woman delaying mammography 18 months can have a resultant upstaging in her breast cancer, resulting in $100,000 or greater cost and much more time away from the workplace,” she said, citing an example.

In addition to helping members schedule needed, timely testing, Green Imaging also improves access to stat and difficult to find exams, saving money on ER visits and expensive hospital pricing; offers a navigator portal to work closely with any existing navigation or medical management solution you have in place (or its concierge staff can manage the entire process); and accepts referrals directly from an EMR or from a patient by web request, QR code, secure text, or phone call.

This is why, in addition to cutting costs, Green Imaging makes sure that members never have to split hairs over scheduling an appointment. Reflecting on Green’s commitment to accessibility and patient care, Dickerson said, “The HR lead for a Texas municipality told me last week that the compassion our team shows shines through in their work. That makes my heart swell! Our 4.8 Google stars are a testament to the commitment of our entire team to ensure great care throughout the patient journey.”

But that’s not all patients are saying about Green Imaging services. One risk manager wrote, “Green Imaging has been an invaluable partner—not only with a 60% average savings on major imaging but with top-notch customer service. Our employees rave about how easy it is to schedule their major imaging and the fact that it is at zero cost. With a 79% savings per CT scan, our self-insured trust fund is reaping the rewards.” Green Imaging typically offers 6% apples to apples savings on overall healthcare spend and when employers offer $0 out of pocket imaging, members not meeting their deductible with just one expensive imaging exam and plan picking everything up beyond that all year offers tremendous additional savings.

Such testimonies stand in stark contrast to the horror stories about traditional provider networks having patients jump through hoops and hurdles to schedule imaging procedures, only for them to realize they can’t afford the $2,000 out of pocket cost. These problems are so common-knowledge, that even viral social media posts poke fun at them. But as Dickerson and her team can attest, imaging in the U.S. doesn’t have to be this way. Solutions like Green Imaging shine through in our current healthcare landscape, empowering plan members to access high-quality imaging services at a fraction of the cost. If a company has access to its claims data, Green Imaging can use its Validation Institute validated method of analyzing the data to predict savings and if not they have hundreds of regional and industry specific case studies to provide estimates. With a de-identified census, Green Imaging can also run a geo access assessment for you and add additional centers to their network if there are access issues. Implementation can be quite simple in many situations, especially with the $0 out of pocket model (the simplicity of this model also leads to the best member steerage). With Green Imaging’s support, employers and members can tackle any roadblock to care— no matter the size.

Checklist format:

How employers should evaluate imaging options (MRI and all diagnostic imaging)

Employers have options to provide employees with imaging benefits. Long trapped inside expensive health plan networks, self-funded employers can provide direct care options to their employees. Whether in support of direct primary care and/or direct surgery, direct imaging can be a viable option or as a standalone. The questions to sort through here include:

1. Is this change worth it? What are the financial implications? What are the risks - financial and operational? Do you have access to your claims data to evaluate the cost of care? This includes the total cost - patient/plan portion in addition to all the parties providing care.

2. What about the access to care? Do you have the geographic analysis to mitigate and manage access questions?

3. Will there be added administrative costs associated with direct imaging, like a PEPM?

4. How will navigation be managed? Will members have a navigation resource? How will my employees manage this change in networks?

5. How much care and service are needed to make this change? Can employees navigate care via a website? What steerage or incentives are needed for the new program to be successful?