MRI Scan Prices

bob6759

Hi
My wife recently had a serious Knee injury and had to have an MRI scan to asses the cause.
The NHS scan was going to take 6 weeks with a possibility of a further 6 weeks for the results to be determined and sent to her doctors.
She was in in such pain she decided to have a private scan which would have been available from all the clinics she contacted within a few days with immediate results.
She asked the doctor for a referral and was advised that they could only refer her to 2 clinics locally in Brentwood Essex. We checked with both clinics and they wanted £526 & £515 for the scan of her knee. A friend told her of a clinic in Chelmsford so we checked with them, the price was £380 for the same scan, so she had it done there.
I recently had to go to the Westland clinic regarding my hearing and noticed a poster on the wall regarding Private MRI scans so enquired about the price of a scan of the Knee they said it varied according to what day but said the cheapest cost would be £200 and that would include a report to her doctor and herself.
Quite a difference in all these prices for the same scan. So my suggestion is SHOP AROUND, you could save yourself a lot of money.
These clinics can accept referals no matter what clinic your doctors put on them, as long as its a referal for the problem you require the scan for.

Dill

I think some private hospitals will take self-referrals. It does defeat the object a little if you have to rely on the NHS (for a referral) in order to go private.

Nicki

Though if the condition is complicated, the results of the scan will be affected both by the skill of the scanner, the quality of the machine and the skill and experience of the radiologist reading it. I am being treated privately for a knee condition and (for this reason) the consultant only wants to use named centres and radiologists. Makes no difference to me as insurance are picking up the bills. Perhaps this was the reason your NHS consultant only wanted to refer you to one of two centres though?

bob6759

Her consultant got her a NHS scan which would have taken a further 12 weeks, the problems and price differences came about after approaching the doctors for a Private referral.

oldandhappy

It is really not a fair situation when it should be possible to do such a scan the same week like they do here in France,,,what is the reason for such a long wait...... when time is so important for results then treatment comes so much quicker...I was left for a whole year in the UK with what seemed to me going on the pain I suffered and was as it turned out to be a serious back condition which when finally I had a mri that told the true story..operation to save my mobility immediately....never would I be so trusting of a GP again that is so busy.....