Diagnosis

Cost of an MRI examination

introduction

The costs for an MRT examination (magnetic resonance tomography) are reimbursed for private patients according to the GÖA (fee schedule for doctors) and for patients with statutory health insurance according to the EBM (uniform assessment standard). If there is a medical need to perform the MRI examination, the costs will be covered by the health insurance company. Special examinations, such as full-body MRI, are not covered by the health insurance fund because their benefit has not been proven. The same applies to MRI examinations that a patient would like to have himself without a doctor having determined the medical necessity.

Private patients

The costs for an MRI examination for private patients are billed according to the GOÄ, the fee schedule for doctors. It specifies the simple minimum rate for every MRI examination. Radiologists are allowed to charge up to 1.8 times the rate for average difficulty and duration of the examination. In the case of increased difficulty or duration of the examination, the 2.3-fold billing rate is permissible. In addition to the costs for the MRI examination itself, there are additional costs for injecting a contrast agent.

Read more on the topic: Private health insurance

Self-payers

For patients who have to or would like to pay for an MRI examination themselves, the costs are also calculated according to the fee schedule for doctors.

Health insurance patients

For patients with statutory health insurance, the costs for an MRT examination are determined and reimbursed according to the EBM (uniform assessment standard). The EBM is between health insurance companies and the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KV) negotiated.
For patients of statutory health insurances, doctors can only settle the reimbursement rates with the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians within the framework of the EBM lower than with private patients to reduce the costs im Healthcare to keep it low.

Does a 3 Tesla cost more than a normal MRI?

The cost of an MRI scan does not differ depending on the MRI machine that is examining the patient. Rather, the costs depend on the clinical question and the body region to be examined. Since the imaging of the abdominal cavity is significantly more complex and in some cases requires the administration of a contrast agent, the costs are significantly higher than when examining individual joints.

The acquisition of normal MRT machines (1.5 Tesla) is much cheaper for the radiologist. However, depending on the clinical issue, only a low image resolution can be achieved with these devices.

Will there be any costs for me if I do not cancel or miss my MRI appointment?

If the MRI appointment is missed or not canceled, costs may be incurred in individual cases for the patient. While no fees can usually be charged for a missed regular office visit, an MRI examination, for which there is very high demand and a tightly planned examination schedule must be adhered to, can lead to costs for the patient. However, the handling of these charges depends heavily on the clinic and practice.

For better organization, however, an appointment should always be canceled in good time. Even in the case of a short-term cancellation, the examination of another patient can usually be scheduled.

Cost of an MRI of the knee

The cost of an MRI scan of the Knee joint are at least for private patients and self-payers 139,89€. Maximum allowed 349,72€ be billed.
The cost of the MRI scan may include costs for consultation, Contrast media and further inclusion in different joint position added, so that in the end costs of more than 600€ can arise.
In the case of statutory health insurance patients, the radiologist is allowed to perform a pure MRI examination of the knee joint 124,60€ settle accounts with the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians.
Read more about the implementation and indication of a knee MRI under: MRI of the knee

Cost of an MRI of the shoulder

The cost of a MRI scan of the shoulder joint amount for private patients and self-payers at least € 139.89. Maximum allowed 349,72€ be billed.
If additional layers are added due to special questions or if contrast agent is administered, the costs can increase significantly. The maximum cost of an MRI of the shoulder shouldn't be 800 € exceed.
In addition to the costs for the MRI examination, there may be costs for advice, contrast media and further exposure in a different joint position. With statutory health insurance patients, the Radiologist for pure MRI examinations of the shoulder 124,60€ settle accounts with the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians.
Read more about the implementation and indication of a shoulder MRI at: MRI scan of the shoulder joint

Cost of an MRI of the lumbar spine (lumbar spine)

The costs for an MRI examination of the lumbar spine are for private patients and self-payers at least € 244.81. Maximum allowed 612,02€ be billed. In addition to the costs for the MRI examination, there may be costs for advice, contrast media and further exposure in a different position. For patients with statutory health insurance, the radiologist is allowed to perform a pure MRI examination of the lumbar spine 124,60€ settle accounts with the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians.

Cost of an MRI of the cervical spine (Cervical spine)

The cost of a MRI scan of the cervical spine amount for private patients and self-payers at least € 244.81. Maximum allowed 612,02€ be billed. In addition to the costs for the MRI examination, there may be costs for advice, contrast media and further exposure in a different position. For patients with statutory health insurance, the radiologist may use the Cervical spine 124,60€ settle accounts with the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians.

Further information on this topic can also be found at: MRI of the cervical spine (Cervical spine)

Cost of an MRI of the thoracic spine (BWS)

The cost of a MRI scan of the thoracic spine amount for private patients and self-payers at least € 244.81. Maximum allowed 612,02€ be billed. In addition to the costs for the MRI examination, there may be costs for advice, contrast media and further exposure in a different position. For patients with statutory health insurance, the radiologist may use the Thoracic spine 124,60€ settle accounts with the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians.

Also read more on the relevant topic: MRI scan of the thoracic spine

Cost of an MRI of the back

The cost of an MRI examination of the back is made up of the individual costs for

Cervical spine (private patients at least € 244.81, max. € 612.02; statutory health insurance patients € 124.60)
BWS (private patients at least € 244.81, max. € 612.02; statutory health insurance patients € 124.60)
LWS (private patients at least € 244.81, max. € 612.02; statutory health insurance patients € 124.60)

together. Overall, the costs of all three spine sections would amount to between € 734.43 and € 1836.06 for private patients and € 373.80 for patients with statutory health insurance.

You can drive an overview of the entire spine. Unfortunately, this means that the detail resolution of the spine / back is lost, since the magnetic field and MRI coil should be as close to one another as possible.
In order to achieve a good quality of the images, individual images of the respective section of the spine (cervical spine, thoracic spine, lumbar spine / sacroiliac joint) should be taken.

Read more about this under: MRI of the back

Cost of a breast MRI

The cost of a MRI scan of the chest are at least € 233.15 for private patients and self-payers. A maximum of € 419.67 can be billed. In addition to the costs for this MRT examination, there may be costs for advice, contrast media and further recordings in a different position. Overall, the costs for the examination with additional services may amount to a maximum of € 629.50.

For patients with statutory health insurance, the radiologist can bill the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians for a mere MRT examination of the breast.

Cost of an MRI of the elbow

The cost of a MRI scan of the elbow are at least € 139.89 for private patients and self-payers. A maximum of € 251.80 can be billed. In addition to the costs for this MRT examination, there may be costs for advice, contrast media and further recordings in a different position. Overall, the costs for the examination with additional services may amount to a maximum of € 629.50.

In the case of statutory health insurance patients, the radiologist can charge the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians € 126.59 for the pure MRI examination of the elbow.

Read more on the topic: MRI of the elbow

Cost of an MRI of the heart

The cost of an MRI scan of the heart, which is one of the thoracic organs, is at least € 250.64 for private patients and those who pay for themselves. A maximum of € 451.14 can be billed. In addition to the costs for this MRT examination, there may be costs for advice, contrast media and further recordings in a different position. Overall, the costs for the examination with additional services may amount to a maximum of € 629.50.

For patients with statutory health insurance, the radiologist can bill the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians for a pure MRI examination of the heart.

Cost of an MRI of the hip

The cost of an MRI scan of the hip is at least € 139.89 for private patients and self-payers. A maximum of € 251.80 can be billed. In addition to the costs for this MRT examination, there may be costs for advice, contrast media and further recordings in a different position. Overall, the costs for the examination with additional services may amount to a maximum of € 629.50.

For patients with statutory health insurance, the radiologist can bill the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians for a pure MRI examination of the hip.

Cost of an MRI of the head

The cost of an MRI scan of the head, including the neck, is at least € 256.46 for private patients and self-payers. A maximum of € 461.64 can be billed. In addition to the costs for this MRT examination, there may be costs for advice, contrast media and further recordings in a different position. Overall, the costs for the examination with additional services may amount to a maximum of € 629.50.

For patients with statutory health insurance, the radiologist is allowed to use the pure MRI scan of the skull Account with the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians for € 126.59, € 126.59 for the skull and € 126.59 for the skull base.

Cost of an MRI of the lungs

The cost of an MRI examination of the lungs, which is one of the thoracic organs, is at least € 250.64 for private patients and those who pay for themselves. A maximum of € 451.14 can be billed. In addition to the costs for this MRT examination, there may be costs for advice, contrast media and further recordings in a different position. Overall, the costs for the examination with additional services may amount to a maximum of € 629.50.

In the case of statutory health insurance patients, the radiologist can charge the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians € 126.59 for a pure MRI examination of the lungs.

Cost of an MRI scan for a dog

The costs for an MRI examination of the dog are with the respective vet to inquire. Veterinarians need to be involved in determining the cost of the MRI scan Fee schedule for veterinarians orientate the one Upper and lower limit for the cost of veterinary services.
Generally speaking, the cost of an MRI scan at least € 300 and the examination must be carried out under anesthesia.

Cost of a full-body MRI

With a whole-body MRI, the entire body is shown as part of a cancer screening or if inflammation or vascular changes are suspected. The costs of a full-body MRI are usually not covered by statutory health insurance. In individual cases, part of the costs can be paid by the health insurance companies if the examination is clinically indicated. The costs for self-payers and private patients amount to around 1000 to 2000 euros.

Cost of an MRI of the temporomandibular joint

The examination of the temporomandibular joint usually takes place as part of an MRI imaging of the head. It is used to assess the joint surfaces and to identify inflammation in order to diagnose orthodontic issues. In some cases, an MRI scan is also required to plan major operations in the mouth and throat area.

The costs of an MRT examination of the head are covered by the statutory health insurance companies if clinically indicated. The examination usually takes place without administration of contrast agent. The costs for self-payers and private patients are around 400 to 500 euros.

Cost of an MRI of the pancreas

An imaging of the pancreas is usually done as part of an MRI scan of the abdomen (MRI abdomen). With the help of imaging, tumors, unclear masses, inflammation and congenital malformations of the ducts can be identified. It is often necessary to administer contrast media.

The costs of this examination are covered by the statutory health insurance companies if there are clinically relevant questions. Self-payers and private patients can expect costs between 400 and 500 euros.