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thekeith · 10-08-2004, 11:27 AM

hey again

when I got shoved out of the low income health center yesterday, they set up an X-ray at a hospital they are affiliated with. and also said I should get an MRI (which I knew)

they included the price of the x-ray in this visit
and I guess I just walk in and say "hi my name is keith and paid for an x-ray"

anyway, here is my question
If I wanna get my $#@! together and see a spine specialist and get an MRI and all that.

should I shop around for an MRI myself (I am a cash patient)
and can you even do that?...they need a doctor's order for that right?
I cant just go to an MRI clinic and say "do my lower back please"

sorry if that is a stupid question, but the doc at the low income clinic said "get an MRI" and didnt go into detail.

or should I find a spine person, pay them $200 to say hello.
He/she order's an MRI, i go get and pay for that and then I go BACK to the spine guy and give him/her another $200 to look at it and go from there?
MRI's can go from $400 to $1300 for cash people

I know its my life and health and all that, i just wanna get it straight and not make a wallet breaking mistake.

and as all of you know, shuttling a bad back an extra "trip" can be the difference between 4 days of hell and 1 in terms of pain.

also, "spine specialist" "ortho" or "neurologist"?

I have a herniated disc (i think this because it has all the same symptoms as the last one I had) and am trying to avoid surgery after 2 failed endoscopic discectomies.
living in san diego

thanks so much for your patience with my nitpicking "hold my hand thru this" manner
even though I have been through this before, like a bad dream or stressful encounter your mind tends to fog it over for your sanity
Keith

lynns · 10-08-2004, 04:48 PM

yes you do need an doctor to order an mri they wont do it with out one. try seeing if theirs a health department in your town they usally take people in for free. thats what i was trying to tell you yesterday and couldnt thing of the name. and no your not winning we all need help from time to time and today is a day that you need us, thats why were all here. to help.
michelle

AlSmith · 10-08-2004, 06:18 PM

Keith, you do need a doctor to order an MRI but you can tell the doctor where you want to go. Honestly, some are better than others. Good luck.

Alan

debbie1 · 10-08-2004, 07:17 PM

something to think about.....i posted this info in another post also.
Cash patients/low income patients...call the hospital and ask if they have a discount program, charity or community care program. By me, you can get a discount of
20%-100% based on your income/situation.
yes you do need a doctor to order the mri, but to help with the cost if you have no insurance, you may want to check this out.

injured betty · 10-08-2004, 09:50 PM

Keith,
You can get a primary to order an MRI. Ours did. Cost us $50 for the doctor visit. Then, he gets it back and it is already read by the Radiologist. The report comes with it. You pay for that also.

As a cash patient, you can ask for a price break. Talk to the doctor about it when you see them.

Most specialists require referrals. So, you might want to start with a primary.

Every one wants a piece of the pie when it comes to medicine and health care. Ya gotta pay the piper, unfortunately.

The upside is, it may not be a herniated disc, just a pinched nerve or a strain.

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