eli5: if an operational cost of an MRI scan is $50-75, why does it cost up to $3500 to a patient?

Question

Explain like I’m European.

In: Other

Answer 1

First, that’s probably only the operational cost of the MRI; the labor, consumables, etc. And probably assumes near constant usage over the year, which may not be the case. It might also include the maintenance costs, which could be in the 6-figures each year.

That most certainly doesn’t include the initial cost of it, which is significant for a multi-million dollar machine. And it doesn’t include the radiologist’s analysis after the imaging is done. Or the cost of having a room specifically built to keep metal and sensitive equipment away from the giant magnet. So once all the things a patient isn’t a part of are completed, each MRI probably costs $500-1000 once all those unseen costs are accounted for.

Then there’s the cut that the hospital takes, and Insurance.