Costs of a MRT – examination

Introduction

The costs for an MRI examination (magnetic resonance imaging) are reimbursed for private patients according to the GÖA (Gebührenordnung für Ärzte) and for patients with health insurance according to the EBM (Einheitlicher Bewertungsmaßstab). If there is a medical necessity to perform the MRI examination, the costs are covered by the health insurance company. Special examinations, such as whole-body MRI, are not covered by the insurance company because their benefit has not been proven. The same applies to MRI examinations that a patient wants to have himself without a doctor having determined the medical necessity.

Private patients

The costs for an MRI examination for private patients are charged according to the GOÄ, the scale of fees for doctors. It indicates the simple minimum rate for each MRT examination. Radiologists are allowed to charge up to 1.8 times the rate for an average difficulty and duration of the examination. If the difficulty or duration of the examination is increased, 2.3 times the rate is allowed. In addition to the costs for the MRI examination itself, there are also additional costs for the injection of a contrast medium.

Self-payer

For patients who have to or wish to pay for an MRI examination themselves, the costs are also calculated according to the scale of fees for doctors.

Health insurance patients

For patients with statutory health insurance, the costs for an MRI examination are determined and reimbursed according to the EBM (Uniform Assessment Scale). The EBM is negotiated between health insurance companies and the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KV). Doctors can only bill patients of the statutory health insurance companies within the framework of EBM with the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians. The reimbursement rates are lower than for private patients in order to keep the costs in the health care system low.

Does a 3 Tesla cost more than a normal MRT?

The cost of an MRI examination does not differ depending on the MRI machine that examines the patient. Rather, the costs depend on the clinical problem and the body region to be examined. Since imaging of the abdomen is much more complex and sometimes requires the administration of a contrast agent, the costs are significantly higher than for an examination of individual joints. The purchase of normal MRI equipment (1.5 Tesla) is much cheaper for the radiologist. Depending on the clinical problem, however, only a low image resolution can be achieved with these devices.