Comment by lostlogin
3 hours ago
> they can get same-day MRIs for $50
I’d like to see a breakdown on how they do that. Staffing alone is a multiple of that.
3 hours ago
> they can get same-day MRIs for $50
I’d like to see a breakdown on how they do that. Staffing alone is a multiple of that.
From what I know, seems like a mix of medical price fixing by the gov't, adoption of lower cost hardware, and universal healthcare. There's apparently less bureaucracy, perhaps because there is no need for negotiation at every step of the process?
There are big costs. The hardware, the facility (RF cage and chillers), power, water, staff, RIS/PACS etc etc.
I can’t see how you can do it for $50. Does the ‘universal healthcare’ bit mean that the government is paying most the bill and it’s $50 out of pocket?
Yes, $50 was a rough out-of-pocket estimate, the amortized cost per scan for operation alone is probably on the order of hundreds of dollars per scan, assuming high utilization.
One funny thing about MRIs is the magnet is always on, so there could be some clever ways to reduce costs running them after hours.
Romania: for a head MRI on demand - not more than a few days and less than 400 Euros.
That’s more believable than $50, and isn’t out of whack with what’s achievable where I am (New Zealand).