When your doctor refers you to a diagnostic center for an MRI scan, you may not have insurance to cover the costs. Los Angeles Diagnostics offers Cash-based options and has several advantages over using your insurance coverage. One of the many benefits of cash payments is that some patients with challenging financial situations might find it challenging to complete the transaction in one payment. Thanks to the cash-based option, clients can receive reasonable payment plans to ease the financial pressures.
At Los Angeles Diagnostics, we provide top quality diagnostic services, including MRI scans. We have flexible payment options, especially for cash-based clients or those without insurance. When working with us, you enjoy the comfort and care from our compassionate team of Radiologists and technicians. Our doors are open for all patients seeking MRI diagnostic reports in Los Angeles, California.
Understanding an MRI Scan
If you are to undergo an MRI scan for the first time, you may have several questions regarding the scanning procedure and how safe it is. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the types of procedures you undergo, as knowledge helps you make adequate preparations.
The Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) process involves taking internal images of your body to display parts that may have abnormalities. The MRI machines’ functional components include two magnets that align your body's hydrogen atoms in one direction.
Since a healthy human body comprises a large percentage of water, the magnets in the scanner affect protons in your body's hydrogen molecules to align them in the north or south direction. Through uniform alignment, the machine can then capture clear images of your internal organs to highlight abnormalities.
Note that the MRI scan is a painless process, as no invasive techniques are involved. Subsequently, you can worry less about having to take pain medication or anesthesia before the procedure.
However, your doctor's referral may request the scan to occur after having a contrast dye injected into your bloodstream. The additional liquid component highlights the problematic body parts better for your radiologist and doctor to make an accurate diagnosis.
Often, the contrast dye is administered intravenously to transfer through the body before the scan begins quickly. As a result, you should expect a brief pain during injection to fix the needle that supplies the contrast dye into your veins.
Nevertheless, the Radiologist working with you should be gentle and help you remain calm, especially if you experience anxiety before receiving injections. It is also beneficial to note that the contrast liquid causes different sensations in the body when introduced.
For example, you may feel a cool sensation as the liquid travels through your veins to spread out in the body. Moreover, the contrast could cause an unfamiliar feeling on your groin, creating a sense of having urinated. However, these feelings are temporary and should not cause additional complications.
Despite the safety of contrast liquid in the body, some patients may also report side effects like nausea and headaches. However, they should not persist beyond a few hours, as the liquid is slowly excreted through the renal process. Therefore, we advise you to take a lot of water after the MRI scan for a healthy expulsion of the liquid.
Diagnostic Options Available With an MRI Scan
You may need to know whether you will receive a comprehensive scan and report your medical condition. We understand the concerns, especially if other previous checks have not revealed an underlying problem despite having symptoms. As a result, we provide an array of diagnostic services under the MRI scan as we aim to find the source of your medical problems. MRI scans can identify the following issues:
Heart Conditions
If your doctor has noted a possible cardiac condition during the observation appointment, he/she will need MRI images to make a proper diagnosis. Sometimes, the problem may involve having blocked arteries and veins from blood clots. In other cases, your heart chambers and valves may face severe conditions from increased blood pressure as well, leading to the need for an MRI scan.
Regardless of the possible underlying condition, having a scan captures all abnormalities around the chest and heart area. The timely evaluations may create the difference between fatalities and making a full recovery, so you need to follow up with the doctor’s referral as soon as possible.
Injuries in Your Spinal Cord
The spinal cord is among the most important organs, as it holds sensitive nerve endings for sensory transmissions to the brain. On top of this, your backbone is the primary source of support for your upwards posture, creating the need for early diagnosis of injuries.
Typically, a spinal injury may cause additional problems that manifest as different symptoms. As a result, an MRI scan becomes necessary for the doctor to check on the specific injured part. Thanks to the high-quality images developed, your doctor can use the reports to predict possible long-term effects of the injury if any.
Reproductive Health Scans
Men and women suffer from different reproductive conditions that arise from various health problems. In women, endometriosis and ovarian cysts are among the most common reproductive conditions that cause severe pain and long term effects. However, when diagnosed early, these conditions are manageable, leading to faster recovery.
After a visit to your gynecologist, he/she may order a specific scan that identifies the cysts or blood clots in your uterus to highlight underlying conditions. The images will be sufficient in determining the particular mode of treatment you will receive.
Similarly, men may suffer from conditions affecting their prostate glands. Since the problems may not be detectable in regular observations, you may have to undertake an MRI scan. After receiving your images, you will understand the source of your problem and determine the way forward.
Brain Injuries and Brain Cell Degeneration
We also provide brain scan services for referred patients who sustained severe head injuries. Following your doctor’s referral letter, we can also perform an fMRI, a different scanning process that checks for the brain tissue functions under different conditions.
The observations made provide a more comprehensive report of your brain’s general health and functions, as well as the different conditions evoking its functionality.
fMRI scans are useful for patients who were involved in severe car accidents, brain surgery, and mental health conditions like anxiety and depression.
On top of that, the scan can help track the brain’s function in patients living with Alzheimer’s disease and traumatic amnesia. Thanks to an fMRI scan, your doctor can also determine whether surgery will be necessary to remedy your condition, to prevent avoidable exposure to invasive treatment.
Abnormalities in Your Joints
Sometimes, your joints may also suffer from severe damage or fractures. For example, if you play high impact sports, your joint tendons may rupture, causing intense pain and difficulty moving the affected area.
Despite the painful symptoms you experience, it may be challenging to establish the exact problem with regular checks and X-ray imaging. On the other hand, MRI scans highlight the ruptured tendons for proper treatment. This way, your doctor can establish whether to reconstruct the tendons through surgery if necessary.
Moreover, your joints also require an adequate supply of synovial fluid for lubrication during movement. If you have suffered from painful friction after bending, you can use the MRI scan results to determine whether you need treatment to replenish the depleted fluid amounts.
Benefits of MRI Scans
Usually, several scanning options are available to help in making a diagnosis. For example, CT- scans and X-Rays are available to provide images of your internal skeletal and tissue parts. However, not every option will deliver the required images, primarily if the underlying conditions affect tissues and blood vessels that are not easily detectable. Hence, learning an MRI scan’s benefits compared to other imaging procedures will give you the confidence you need when making cash payments. The advantages include:
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MRI Scans Provide high-Quality Clear Images
The availability of clear images of your internal organs is necessary for any subsequent diagnosis, as the doctor works with the certainty of the treatment to issue. The powerful magnets that align your hydrogen atoms create the successive alternations that highlight the targeted body part.
On top of that, the contrast liquid also plays a significant role in increasing visibility on the targeted areas for complex conditions. For example, the liquid will highlight small blood clot regions in the lungs despite the volume and structural complexity of the organ.
Vivid images are also crucial when checking for liver and kidney conditions as they require clear highlights. Since the large organs may undergo severe tissue degeneration in different forms, you will benefit from MRI scan images to determine the severity of the damage.
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You May Have The Scan Performed In Different Positions
It is also important to note that you have access to different MRI scans, depending on your preferences. The first option for use is the traditional MRI machine with a large cylindrical shape and an extended table for patients to lie down.
Once you are ready for the scan, the table moves you electronically into the magnetic scanner, where the machine takes multiple body images. Typically, the conventional scan lasts for thirty minutes to an hour based on the targeted body part.
The traditional MRI scanner also produces loud noises as the magnets align to capture the images. As a result, you will receive noise-canceling earphones or earplugs to shield your drums from damage. Younger patients may also receive headphones for listening to music as the scan proceeds because it calms them down.
Conversely, an open MRI scanner is available for claustrophobic patients who are uneasy in the regular machine. When you choose to have imaging done in the open scanner, you will stand in between the machine structure designed to have you in between the two main magnets. The open machine design also means you will not have any component above your head to hinder you from feeling relaxed.
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You Have Access to Early Diagnosis
Since you will have the MRI results ready within a short span, you receive an early diagnosis that reduces the risk of health complications. On top of that, the MRI images may reveal other undetected conditions that are not initially apparent to you from the lack of symptoms. In this case, the doctor may order further tests to ascertain that the discoveries are potential health hazards.
When he/she makes the necessary assessments, you will begin treatment for the newly diagnosed condition. Your recovery period will also be significantly shorter, thanks to the early detection. As a result, the MRI scan helps you avoid subsequent severe complications.
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You are Safe from Radiation Exposure
Most patients express their concern about the amount of radiation exposure they face when undertaking different scans. Understandably, you want to have as little exposure as possible to minimize health risks in the future.
Hence, you will be happy to note that MRI scans do not use Ionized radiation when capturing your body images. As a result, you do not have to worry about minimizing the number of scans you take, especially if your doctor needs to run multiple intensive follow-ups.
Nevertheless, an MRI scanner may expose you to unusually high temperatures during the process. Consequently, we recommend informing your doctor about special conditions linked to heat sensitivity before taking the scan.
However, the machine should not cause any severe complications from excess heat. Adverse cases will often arise from a technical malfunction that rarely occurs in our facility.
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MRI Scans Can Display Various Tissue Functions
As mentioned, MRI scans are capable of showing your body tissues functioning under different conditions. The advantage is useful when the physician needs to establish a trend by comparing your tissue organs at different stages.
Therefore, an MRI would be ideal for progressive treatment like mind therapy after a traumatic experience. Unlike other scans, you will use the MRI reports for observing improvements after a specific timeline lapse. This way, you can also feel encouraged and trust the medical process.
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The Scans Show Advanced Images in Cancer Screening
Cancer patients also benefit from the advanced body imaging features in MRI scans, as they receive more information on their conditions. For example, the MRI scan helps an oncologist establish your condition’s stage depending on the rate of growth of cancerous cells and tumor size.
The additional information is necessary, as you may begin receiving emergency medical treatment to contain the situation. For example, if the doctor finds that you have stage three cancer, you will schedule chemotherapy as soon as possible.
The Cash Payment Process
The cash payment option begins after receiving a prescription from your doctor. We emphasize the importance of having the prescription document as it guides us on the correct scan to perform based on the details. The doctor's note also helps us determine whether you will need a contrast dye for enhanced highlights.
Therefore, we recommend coming to the scan appointment with the doctor's note because we cannot begin the process without it. Afterward, we will issue an information form that you should fill.
Typically, the information form requires you to input your contact details and specific medical history like your allergen triggers. When you complete the official input of information, you may proceed with the cash payments in your preferred mode.
Since several options are available, we have availed of various money transfer avenues like card readers. As a result, you can complete the payment in seconds, especially if you have your money readily available.
Usually, the front desk operator handling your payments will receive the doctor's note and produce an official receipt stating the exact MRI service you require, and its cost in our facility.
The Cost of an MRI Scan
The range of MRI scans charges is broad, depending on the body part to be scanned. Nevertheless, an average scan costs between $200 to $700, unless multiple procedures are requested at once. Some examples of services we provide include brain scans and lumbar MRIs that cost $200+. Additionally, you may have your joints scanned at $225+ for parts like your shoulders and knees.
We recommend getting in touch with us for additional information, including specific quotations for MRI scans on different body parts. This way, you can make informed financial decisions to make cash payments without strain.
Benefits of Paying for MRI Scans in Cash
Choosing to pay for your MRI scan in cash has several advantages. Compared to the insurance option, you avoid several financial hurdles that may delay treatment or cause frustration. Some benefits of using cash payments include:
You Avoid the Stressful Insurance Authorization Processes
Your medical insurance company could help when making medical payments, as they relieve you of paying a considerable amount of money. However, these insurance companies also require to authorize the payment by verifying the reason for treatment.
Moreover, the companies may subject you to additional questioning to determine whether the scan is an essential service for your health. Due to this, you may find the insurance payment option quite hectic, especially if the company takes a long time to authorize and process payment.
On the other hand, cash payments are more straightforward as the transaction is easy to process. You will undergo the scan as soon as payment is made, putting you in a better position to obtain services expeditiously.
You are Eligible for Discounts
Usually, cash-based clients enjoy attractive discounts for making upfront payments as an appreciation. Hence, you will pay significantly less money using cash-based options compared to making insurance payments.
Sometimes, the discounts may cut up to 30% of total costs, depending on ongoing offers and the type of MRI scan you receive. As a result, you want to take advantage of the incentive and complete your cash payments as soon as possible.
Different Cash Payment Forms are Available
Patients who do not have cash on hand available will also benefit from the versatile payment options we provide. For example, you can use our card reader to swipe your Visa card and authorize payments in a short time.
Additionally, we can organize for an online money transfer using modern online applications. This way, you can comfortably make payments from your phone or any other electronic device that gives you access to the applications.
You Can Explore a Flexible Payment Plan
We also understand that some patients may not have all the money required to complete payments upfront. Therefore, you may have access to flexible payment plans, primarily if you need recurrent MRI scans for your medical condition.
For example, cancer patients who need to scan every six months to check on the rate of malignant cell decrease can negotiate for a payment plan. Depending on your financial circumstances, we will settle on receiving monthly installments until all scans are complete. Alternatively, you may pay half the amount on the day of your scan and complete the rest on an agreed date.
Cash Payments Include Proceeds From Charity Programs
Sometimes, you or a loved one may be a beneficiary of a charity organization that pays for patients' services. Since the financial assistance is not classified as insurance, you still have an avenue to pay for your scan without necessarily having to declare the nature of your medical condition and the source of funds.
Apart from medical charities, some patients also benefit from assistance programs that cover their costs. Thanks to the cash-based payment option, you avoid filling all the paperwork that insurance companies would require you to. Overall, the cash based payment system is more open for utilization, creating a smooth transactional process.
Contact a Cash-Based MRI Diagnostic Center Near Me
When you decide to make cash payments for an MRI scan, you need assurance that the diagnostic facility you work with provides excellent services. Additionally, MRI images are crucial in making a correct medical diagnosis for proper treatment. Therefore, we recommend working with a certified diagnostic center to produce a credible report after the scan.
At Los Angeles Diagnostics, we strive to provide the best MRI scanning services in Los Angeles, California. When you schedule an appointment with us, you will enjoy service delivery efficiency coupled with our compassionate and skilled radiologists. If you or a loved one wants to undergo an MRI scan, call us today at 323-486-7502.
