A Blog for Healthcare Consumers

When we first launched our site we knew that gaining the trust and confidence of health care consumers would be an important on-going task. Having relevant, meaningful blog posts and keeping the site safe and secure have always been a top priority. One of the key leading certifications for health care websites is offered by the Health on the Net Foundation, based in Geneva Switzerland:

The Health On the Net Foundation (HON) promotes and guides the deployment of useful and reliable online health information, and its appropriate and efficient use. Created in 1995, HON is a non-profit, non-governmental organization, accredited to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. For twelve years, HON has focused on the essential question of the provision of health information to citizens, information that respects ethical standards. To cope with the unprecedented volume of health care information available on the Net, the HONcode of conduct offers a multi-stakeholder consensus on standards to protect citizens from misleading health information.

We recently received HON certification after satisfying all of the requirements of the HON code of ethics and principles. We're excited to announce our achievement and will display the HON code throughout our site. Of course, we won't stop here. We'll continue to look hard at our site and look for ways to grow your trust and confidence in us and make shopping for Radiology tests such as MRI scans, CT scans, Ultrasounds, X-rays easy and safe.

This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information:
verify here.

We're adding nearly 600 additional Radiology centers throughout the U.S to our site over the next few weeks. It is a monumental task so please pardon our mess as we upgrade and clean up bugs!

You'll be able to shop and buy your Radiology tests from over 1500 imaging facilities. Each Radiology facility is accredited by the ACR, features American Board of Radiology certified Radiologists and has undergone a rigorous selection process.

We're adding 150 Radiology centers from Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana and Washington DC over the next several days to our site. Please pardon our mess as we upgrade and clean up bugs!

You'll be able to shop and buy your Radiology tests from these facilities. As with our other Radiology facilities each is accredited by the ACR, features American Board of Radiology certified Radiologists and has undergone a rigorous selection process.

This post on the cost of Mammogram screening tests is one in a series of posts on helping consumers find real Radiology test prices. You can read other posts here: MRI scan, CT scan, Ultrasound, X-ray, PET scan. 

Getting mammogram costs, what's included?

Trying to get costs of nearly any Radiology test can be challenging. Even when you have the information, it's not always clear what exactly you're paying for. Does the price include the official Radiology report? Do films or a CD of the test cost extra? And what if you need additional images?

Self-pay Mammogram prices can vary widely, even in the same town. Hospitals are generally more expensive and have less favorable cash fee schedules than outpatient imaging centers. Hospitals are also less likely to negotiate prices with you. Keep in mind though that there are fewer outpatient centers that now offer Mammogram tests so you may find in your area you are limited to a few choices and longer wait times. This of course limits competition and keeps prices high.

Prices include images and some callbacks

Screening mammograms usually include 2 views of each breast, though occasionally a few extra views are taken for some women during the initial exam. As the Radiologist reviews the initial set of films, he or she may ask for a "call back" for repeat or additional images. Repeats are done for motion, inadequate positioning, films with poor exposure, and artifacts or dust on the film. These repeat films are not charged extra.

Some call backs for additional images are requested for clarifying a suspicious finding. In this case the views are usually magnified or spot views specific to the area the Radiologist would like to examine more carefully. At times, the call back may include an ultrasound of the breast. These call back films and tests are charged extra.

The Radiology report is included

Mammogram scan costs include the official Radiologist interpretation. This includes comparing to older Mammogram tests even if done at another hospital or imaging center. Your doctor receives a copy of the report.

Mammogram films

On occasion you'll be asked to take films of your Mammogram to your doctor to review. Most of the time you'll probably request copies be sent to another facility for comparison. You should not be charged for this service.

Simplifying it for you...

Do you have any suggestions for us? Please leave your comments below:

We're adding 70 Radiology centers from Arkansas, Alabama, and Alaska over the next couple of days to our site. Please pardon our mess as we upgrade and clean up bugs!

You'll be able to shop and buy your Radiology tests from these facilities. As with our California, Florida and New York centers, each is accredited by the ACR, features American Board of Radiology certified Radiologists and has undergone a rigorous selection process.

MRI scans make buzzing and clicking noises. They can be very loud and patients are often given ear plugs to dampen the noise. Open MRI units make similar noises but are not as loud. Below is a short clip from a closed MRI thanks to Dr. Hess and his wonderful Google Knol on brain MRI and CT. As Dr. Hess explains in his post, the noise is not from moving parts but from electronic switching of magnetic coils.

You may want to adjust your computer speaker volume before playing the clip.

MRI scans are frequently used to evaluate the structures of the cervical spine, also known as the upper neck. A variety of trends have increased the use of MRI in evaluating the spine - more sports activity, computer use, and we've remained much more active into our later years than previous generations.

If you've injured your neck or have chronic neck pain, your doctor will probably first order an x-ray. After an x-ray, an MRI may be needed to evaluate the internal structures of the cervical spine. On your doctor's order for the MRI you might see:

"r/o disc disease" -  this refers to the discs that act as shock absorbers between the vertebral bodies of the spine. They can be injured or "flatten" over time and bulge and press on nerve roots. These are the dark flat structures between the tall, somewhat square gray bones (the vertebral bodies) in the picture to the right.

"r/o herniation"- this refers to a disc herniation. If the outer part of the disc tears, a jelly like substance can escape out (aka herniate) and cause radiating pain or weakness in the neck, shouder, arm or hand.

"r/o stenosis" - this refers to narrowing of the spinal canal and openings for the nerve roots. Bulging discs and other degenerative changes of the spine can narrow the spinal canal, causing neck pain or weakness. In the picture you can see the spinal cord as the long light grey structure, just behind the vertebral bodies, surrounded by white fluid.

(FYI - "r/o" is short for "rule out")

An MRI of the cervical spine will evaluate:

Bones

A cervical spine MRI will include the cervical vertebral bodies, lamina, facets, spinous process and parts of the upper thoracic spine and lower brain. The cervical spine MRI can detect bone fractures, tumors, infection and evaluate post-surgical changes. An MRI can also determine the extent of degenerative changes (arthritis) and be used for pre-operative planning for spinal fusion.

Discs

Cervcial spine MRIs are very good at looking at the discs between your vertebral bodies. A cervical spine MRI can detect disc flattening, bulges, herniations, and infection (aka discitis).

Spinal Canal and Neural Foramina

Spinal nerves arise from spinal cord and leave the spinal canal through holes called the neural foramina. The canal and these exit points can be blocked and cause neck, shoulder, arm, hand pain or weakness.

Cerebellum and Brain Stem

Parts of the lower brain including the cerebellum are seen. Some cerebellar conditions such as Chiari malformations can present with neck pain. The brain stem is continuous with the upper cervical spinal cord though usually not a cause of issues with the cervical spine. In the picture the cerebellum is the cauliflower shaped structure and the brainstem is the tissue just in front of it.

Soft Tissues

This refers to the muscles and tissues around your cervical spine. The cervical spine MRI can detect infections, fluid collections and tumors of these structures.

Your Cervical Spine MRI Scan

A cervical spine MRI generally takes about 20-30 minutes or so to complete. If you are going for one, wear loose comfortable clothing and remember to remove all metal (jewelry, phones, rings, etc) before going into the MRI scan room. If you've had surgery or have a history of cancer, you'll probably have the test done with MRI contrast.

If you're insured, you may need to have your test authorized (approved) by your insurance company first. If you're uninsured  use our website to look up MRI of the cervical spine scan costs, find a certified imaging center and buy your test with a credit card.

Have you had a Cervical Spine MRI scan? What was it like? Please leave your comments below.

This post on Radiology technologists is written by Kat Sanders, who regularly blogs on the topic of radiological technicians at her blog The Heath Tech's Blog. She welcomes your comments and questions at her email address: katsanders25@gmail.com.

Radiology technician job description

If you’re wondering who a radiologic technician is, you’ve seen one if you’ve ever needed an X-ray or an MRI scan. A radiologic technician or radiographer is someone who:

• Takes X-rays or a scan of patients to assist doctors in making diagnoses
• Prepares a patient before the X-ray and explains to them what exactly they need to do so that the film comes out clearly
• Positions the patient correctly so that the images are formed well
• Are responsible for quality and ensuring that patients do not have any accessories on them that tend to compromise the X-ray or scans
• Injects patients with non-radioactive material that aids the diagnostic imaging technique
• Reduce radiation exposure with lead shields or by limiting the size of the X-ray beams by collimation
• Needs to ensure that the diagnostic machines are working properly and that the controls are set at the right levels to ensure adequate pictures
• Also performs a sonography, fluoroscopy, CT, MRI, nuclear medicine or mammography with additional education and training

In order to become a radiologic technician, you need to:

• Opt for subjects like biology, chemistry, mathematics, health sciences and physical education in high school
• Earn at least an Associate’s degree in the field of radiography, radiation therapy or medical sonography. You could choose to go in for a four-year Bachelor’s degree if that’s what you want
• Obtain a license to practice as a radiologic technologist by taking the exam offered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists in radiology and radiation therapy

Technologists in radiology and radiation therapy Radiographers earn between $45,000 and $50,000 annually and are employed in hospitals and other healthcare settings. The ones who are more qualified because of their specialization in MRI, CT, angiography and nuclear medicine, do tend to earn more, so your pay packet depends on how dedicated you are to your job.

Are you a Radiology technologist? Tell us more about your job. Please leave your comments below.

Trying to get costs of PET scans can be challenging. Even when you have the information, it's not clear what exactly you might be paying for. What is included? Does the price include the Radiology report? And what if you need additional testing? This post is one of a series of posts that look at costs of Radiology tests and will be a work in progress. I hope it sheds some light on what PET scan prices include and don't include...

PET scan costs will vary in price even in the same town. Hospitals are generally more expensive and have less favorable cash fee schedules than their outpatient counterparts. Hospitals are also less likely to negotiate prices with you. Keep in mind though that there are few outpatient centers that can afford to own a PET/CT scanner, so you may find that in your area you are limited to one or two choices. This of course limits competition and keeps prices high.

Prices include the radioisotope and special images

PET and PET/CT scans are done with an injected radioisotope that is taken up by very active tisse such as cancer cells. The radioisotope is quite expensive and accounts for some of the high costs of PET scans. PET/CT scans also use special image processsing software that fuses the PET and CT scan images into one so that metabolic data from the PET part of the scan is overlayed onto the anatomic detail of the CT scan.

The Radiology report is included

PET scan costs include the official Radiologist interpretation. This includes comparing to older PET scans even if done at another hospital or imaging center. Your doctor receives a copy of the report.

Copies of the CD or films

Sometimes you'll be asked to take a CD or films of your PET scan to your doctor to review. Most facilities will give you a copy, if requested, free of charge.

Call back for additional images may not be included

You won't be charged for call backs if due to technical issues or if you were unable to complete the exam because of pain. However, if it is for "more testing", then yes, there will be additional costs.

Simplifying it for you...

Do you have any suggestions for us? Please leave your comments below:

MRI scans are frequently used to evaluate the internal structures of the brain. Brain MRIs are not only used to discover tumors, infection and chronic diseases but also are now increasingly used in acute settings to look for bleeds and stroke.

Brain MRIs are typically ordered for many different symptoms to exclude a tumor, aneurysm or unusual infection and as a follow up for stroke, surgery, etc. Below are a few common diagnoses that brain MRIs can pick up.

Aneurysm - Aneurysms are ballooning of vessels that risk rupturing. If blood leaks from the aneurysms patients describe the headache as a thunderclap and sharp/shooting pains. Patients can also have stroke-like symptoms with weakness, slurred speech and confusion. These MRI scans are usually done without contrast but also with an MRA which gets a more detailed look at the vessels of the brain.

Tumor - Tumors can be primary (from brain tissue) or secondary (from other sites, eg breast cancer). These typically present with headaches, weakness, and seizures. These MRI scans are done with contrast to help highlight and characterize the tumor.

Infection - Brain infections present with headaches, fever, stiff neck (meningitis). Some infections can be chronic such as tuberculosis (Tb). If looking for infection the MRI is typically done with contrast.

Stroke - Also known as a "brain attack", stroke refers to a blocked artery that deprives a part of the brain of blood (and therefore oxygen). This part of the brain loses it function and patients present with weakness, slurred speech, difficulty walking and on occasion, headaches.

An MRI of the brain will evaluate:

Sinuses

A brain MRI will include parts of the sinuses. Though not used to primarily look for sinus disease, an MRI can see thickening of the sinus tissue (mucosa) or fluid in the sinuses.

Orbits

Brain MRIs include the orbits but are not tailored to specficially look at the orbits. This requires a dedicated Orbit MRI which uses different sequences (sequence is a type of image) to look at the internal structures of the orbits. Nevertheless, it can pick up some disease of the orbits such as large tumors, bleeds, inflammation, etc.

Bones

Brain matter

The white and gray matter of the brain are well seen. MRI can detect tumors, infection, bleeds, stroke and congenital defects. Part of the pituitary gland, optic nerves and upper brainstem are also evaluated. A "routine" brain MRI is done without contrast.

Ventricles

These are the fluid filled strucutres inside the brain that help circulate cerberospinal fluid. Tumors and bleeds can extend into these structures and cause blockage which can lead to headaches, confusion and problems with walking for example. 

Your Brain MRI Scan

A brain MRI generally takes about 20 minutes or so to complete. If you are going for one, wear loose comfortable clothing and remember to remove all metal (jewelry, phones, rings, etc) before going into the MRI scan room. If you've had surgery or have a history of cancer, you'll probably have the test done with IV MRI contrast.

If you're insured, you may need to have your test authorized (approved) by your insurance company first. If you're uninsured and need to look up prices and buy an MRI scan of the brain, you can use our website to look up MRI scan costs and then purchase with your credit card.

Have you had a Brain MRI scan? What was it like? Please leave your comments below.