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DR RICHARD WATTS
The main cost of the MRI scanner is in generating this very large, very uniform magnetic field. And the way that we do that is using super conducting wires. So super conducting materials have this unique property that they have no electrical resistance. It's not nearly nothing, it's absolutely nothing. So once you start a current flowing through these coils that current will continue to flow essentially forever. So the main cost of the MRI scanner is this coil of wire, and to keep that coil of wire super-conducting, to keep it with zero resistance we have to keep it very cold. And we keep it cold using liquid helium. Liquid helium is four degrees above absolute zero, absolute zero is minus 273 degrees celcius. And when you look at the MRI scanner itself, what you're looking at is a big tub that contains several thousand litres of liquid helium.
Reference:
http://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/contexts/see_through_body/sci_media/why_does_an_mri_cost_so_much
Wiki User
∙ 16y ago
Wiki User
∙ 15y agoA simple rule of capitalism is that if you have something that others want, they will pay you whatever you want to get it. The wise capitalist sets the price so that he gets the most return for the most reasonabe amount of work - not so high that he has to make all of his funds on one patient, not so low that he has to work like a dog to make ends meet.
In the case of MRIs the equipment is costly, the maintenance is expensive, the operators are paid well, and insurance to cover mistakes is prohibitive. As a consequence the supply is low. At the same time the demand is high and increasing.
A textbook example of supply and demand.
ASIDE: The fact that folks need the service and are worse off for not getting it does not enter into the capitalist system of evaluation.
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How much does it cost to have an MRI of your brain?
about 800 in the caribbeqn and 1800 in the united state
How much does an MRI scan cost a hospital?
Just 200
How much does a full body mri cost in India?
my father 80 years old he has prostate carcenoma recent diagnosis now he needs {whole body mri}my qustion is {how much cost it in india?}
How much does an MRI scanner cost to buy?
More than 1 million.
How much does it cost for a checkup at MRI scan and CT scan center?
A CT scan is about $300 to $6750, while a MRI scan is $400 to $12,000.
What is the average cost of a pet mri scan?
It was estimated that to do an MRI for my cat would cost approximately $1800.
How much does an MRI scan cost in Hyderabad if you go private?
5000 INRIt is around Rs.3000 to RS.4000, Doctorc is one of the best diagnostic centre in hydrabad. They provides MRI scan test at very low cost.
How much does mri machines cost?
The cost of a 1.5 T MRI machine ranges from $1 million and $3 million USD depending on the model. These machines are designed for use in hospitals for advanced medical diagnostics.
Is an mri scanner on when its not scanning?
Yes. MRI machines include powerful magnets that take a long time (and cost alot) to turn on and off so they are kept on the whole time.
Cost of MRI for knee?
The cost of an MRI study can range from $300 to $10000. There is a huge difference in the cost of an MRI study across the country and even city to city. In addition to pricing being very different throughout a region, pricing is also affected by the MRI clinic that you decide to use. When your doctor orders an MRI, he/she may give you a referral to an MRI clinic in the hospital they are affiliated with an independent MRI facility. The hospital MRI's are usually 4-5 times as expensive as the independent imaging center with no difference in the quality of the scan on most occasions. I found a center in the Milwaukee market that charges everyone the same price of just $600 for any MRI, no matter what insurance you have. I used them and my doctor was very happy with not only the quality of the scan and radiology reads, but also with the professionalism of the clinic. The name of the MRI Milwaukee Clinic was Smart Choice MRI (www.SmartChoiceMRI.com). Although Smart Choice MRI has a transparent pricing model where every patient knows how much they are going to be charged, this is very rare across the country and so I would always suggest calling your insurance company and the imaging center you choose to figure out how much the MRI exam is going to cost. In the Portland and Seattle, you can check out Sprig Health for the cost and description of MRI procedures at a few locations in town (https://www.sprighealth.com/site/all-services). Currently the prices seem to range from $485 to $1190 for MRI with and without Contrast.
How much does an mri machine cost a hospital?
I know for a fact - In January, 2003, the cost of one was $2,700,000.00. So, let's say they've gone up ... oh ... ten percent in five years, would make it ... $2,970,000.00. So let's call it THREE MILLION Dollars.
What is a 3 tesla MRI machine?
"The cost of a 3-tesla whole body [MRI] system is more than US$3 million." from ... http://www.ic.gc.ca/epic/site/mitr-crtim.nsf/en/hm00286e.html
