Questions to Ask Before Booking an MRI: A Phone Script

Before you book an MRI, ask the center for a written all-in price, confirm that it and its radiologist are in your insurance network, ask how it screens for implants and kidney function, find out what happens if you feel claustrophobic, and ask how and when your doctor will receive the report. Five or ten minutes on the phone can prevent the most common problems: surprise bills, a scan that cannot be done safely at that site, and a result that arrives too late. Use this script, and work through the before-you-book checklist as you go.

Before you call: have these in hand

• Your doctor's order with the exact scan name and CPT code.
• Your insurance card and plan details, or your plan to pay cash.
• A list of your implants, surgeries and medical conditions.
• A pen or a note app to record names, times and prices.

State up front whether you are using insurance or paying cash, because the answers differ.

Price and billing questions

1. "What is your total self-pay price for [code and scan name], and does it include the radiologist's reading?" A good answer is a single number, or two clear numbers (scan plus reading). A vague answer such as "it depends" should lead to "Can you send that in writing?"
2. "Is the price different if I pay today?" Some centers offer a prompt-pay discount.
3. "Will any other company bill me for this scan?" Radiologist groups and anesthesia groups sometimes bill separately.
4. "Is contrast included, if ordered?" Ask for the price with and without it so you know the difference.
5. "Can you provide a Good Faith Estimate?" If you're uninsured or paying outside your plan, this is your right. See Good Faith Estimate for MRI.
6. "What are your deposit, cancellation and no-show policies?"
7. "Do you offer payment plans?" Ask about interest, fees and terms. See payment plans and financing.

Insurance questions

1. "Are you in network with my plan, and is the radiologist who reads my scan in network too?" Both matter.
2. "Do you bill as a hospital outpatient department or as an independent facility?" The answer can change your coinsurance.
3. "Is prior authorization required, and who submits it?" Get the authorization number.
4. "What is the allowed amount for this code under my plan?" Some centers can tell you; otherwise call your insurer with the code.
5. "If my authorization names a different facility, what happens?" Authorization is often site-specific.

Safety and screening questions

1. "How do you screen for implants and metal?" A good center uses a written questionnaire and a technologist interview. Be wary of a place that does not ask.
2. "I have a [device]. Can you scan me, and what documentation do you need?" Many pacemakers, stents and joint replacements are fine, while some devices need specific conditions. The center may ask for the device's name, model and implant date.
3. "Do you check kidney function before contrast?" Many centers require a recent blood test or a screening questionnaire for patients at risk.
4. "I am or may be pregnant. What is your policy?" Contrast is generally avoided unless essential; ask your doctor.
5. "What are your emergency procedures?"

Comfort and logistics questions

1. "What is the bore size of the scanner, and do you have a wide-bore or open option?"
2. "How long will my scan take, and how long should I plan to be there?"
3. "Can I bring a friend or family member, and can they stay in the room?" Many centers allow this once they are screened.
4. "What do you offer for anxiety: music, a mirror or prism, eye covering, a mild sedative?" Sedation needs a driver.
5. "Do you have appointments outside work hours?"
6. "Are there weight or size limits on your scanner table or bore?"

Results questions

1. "Who reads my images, and are they board-certified radiologists?"
2. "How soon will the report go to my doctor, and how will it be sent?"
3. "How do I get a copy of the images and report?" A disc or a portal link.
4. "If I have prior scans elsewhere, can the radiologist compare them?"
5. "Who do I call if I have a question about my results?" Usually the ordering doctor discusses the findings.

How to read the answers

Worked example (illustrative)

You call two centers for a brain MRI without contrast (70551). Center 1 says $620 all-in, in network for your plan, accredited, wide-bore scanner, report to your doctor within 48 hours. Center 2 says $480, then adds a $210 radiologist fee billed separately, and cannot confirm network status for the radiologist. The all-in prices are $620 versus $690, and Center 1 has fewer unknowns. You choose Center 1 and ask for the price in writing.

What to record

Write down the date, the person's name, the price, what is included, the authorization number, and the exact scan code. If the bill differs, these notes support your dispute. See what to do if the MRI bill is too high.

When to consult a professional

If you have an implant, kidney disease, pregnancy or a history of reactions to contrast, speak to your doctor and ask the center's MRI safety officer or radiologist before you book. They can decide whether the scan can proceed and under what conditions.

Frequently asked questions

Can the front desk answer safety questions?

Often they can start the screening, but a technologist or radiologist makes the safety decision. Ask to speak to one if your situation is complex.

Should I ask these questions even if my doctor picked the center?

Yes. Doctors may not know your price or network status.

Is it rude to ask for a written price?

No. It is a common request and, for self-pay patients, a legal right to an estimate.

What if the center won't give a price?

Choose another center. Lack of price transparency often predicts billing problems.

Sources

• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services — Good Faith Estimate and price transparency
• American College of Radiology — MRI safety and accreditation
• RadiologyInfo.org — what to expect and how to prepare
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration — MRI safety information