MRI FAQs

Your MRI Technologist will ask you to remove all jewelry, eyeglasses, hearing aide, dentures, credit cards, or any other metallic objects not listed. These may affect the quality of the images or cause harm when placed within the magnetic field. An MRI is a non-invasive procedure- you will feel no pain from the magnetic field or radio waves used for the MRI test. You may, however, hear loud noises from the machine from time to time. This is normal, and we will offer you ear plugs or headphones to sound out these noises. It is important to lie as still as possible. Movement may cause poor image quality and require a repeat of the exam. You can bring a prescription sedative if you feel it will help you relax, but if you plan to do so, please arrange for transportation home after the exam. You will receive the written report back from our Radiologist in 3-4 Business Days.

An exam will last about 30 minutes per body part and requires no special preparation. You can eat normally and take any medications as you are prescribed by your doctor. Please wear comfortable, loose clothing with no metal snaps, zippers, etc. If you are pregnant or have anything metallic in your body, please let us know ahead of time as an MRI may not be safe for you. Please arrive to your appointment at least 10 minutes early in order to complete required paperwork and allow us to answer any questions or concerns you may have.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a test that uses a magnetic field and pulses of radio wave energy to make pictures of organs and structures inside the body. For an MRI test, the area of the body being studied is placed inside a special machine that contains a strong magnet. Pictures from an MRI scan are digital images that can be saved and stored on a computer for further interpretation.

GE Excite 1.5T

While we do accept Doctor Orders, self-pay patients do not need one to get an MRI at Express MRI.
Express MRI developed our business model centered on low fixed costs. We do not have excessive operating or overhead costs like most large hospitals or outpatient diagnostic centers. This allows us to offer individuals who may have no insurance, high deductible or co-insurance plans an affordable imaging option without sacrificing quality of service.
At Express MRI, you always know the total cost of your MRI prior to your appointment. For self-pay patients, it’s $499 per body part, which includes everything from a disc with your images to the written Radiologist report. Most facilities do not disclose the total cost prior to your exam and have additional hidden fees added to the final bill. At Express MRI there are no surprises. We believe in true price transparency and have zero hidden fees.
Today, high deductible health plans are becoming the norm in order to lower the monthly cost of your insurance coverage. A high deductible health plan (also known as an HDHP) means that you will pay money, out of pocket, for healthcare services until you reach your stated deductible. At that time your insurance plan will start paying for your medical bills. For example, if you have an individual plan with a deductible of $4,000 and you receive a medical bill in the amount of $1,200 for an MRI, the insurance company will not pay anything until you reach your deductible. Therefore, you will pay the entire amount out-of-pocket. Would you rather pay $1,200 for an MRI or would you rather pay $499 for an MRI At Express MRI? $800 is a considerable savings by most accounts.
MRI’s are considered extremely safe. Unlike X-Ray or CT scans, there is no radiation involved during an MRI scan. Because MRI uses a powerful magnetic field, no metallic objects can be brought into the MRI room.
CT scans are most commonly used to view bone injuries, problems in the lungs or chest, and for detecting tumors. MRI’s, on the other hand, are better suited for examining soft tissue injuries, particularly in the ligaments or tendons. They’re also good for spinal cord injuries and brain tumors. One of the biggest benefits of an MRI is the fact that the scan is radiation-free. Because the images are produced from a magnet rather than x-ray, patients aren’t at risk of being exposed to any radiation. CT’s, on the other hand, expose patients to low but still significant amounts of radiation. Although CT’s are great for injuries related to bone, they’re not as versatile as MRI’s are overall. They’re also not as easily equipped for getting multiple angles without moving the patient.
In most cases, yes. Accompanying guests will be required to fill out an MRI screening form to make sure they are not pregnant and are free of any metallic objects on or inside their body.
For self-pay patients, we accept cash, credit/debit card, HSA cards and CareCredit as forms of payment.

We will send the report to you by email within 1-2 business days. We will also fax your report to your referring physician if you have one and request for us to do so.

Express MRI

There's No Catch. No Hidden Fees.

Best Quality MRIs at the Lowest Possible Cost

(Same Day Appointments Available)

$499 All Inclusive Price

No Doctor's Referral Required
Includes Radiologist Report