A diagnostic procedure in which a catheter is passed into a vein or artery and then guided into the heart. Cardiomyopathy: The term used to describe all diseases of the heart muscle. carotid endarterectomy: The surgical removal of the lining of a portion of a clogged carotid artery leading to the brain. Cholesterol A fatty substance that travels through the blood and is found in all parts of the body.
Imaging machines are costly. Each type of imaging device comes in a range of prices, and hospitals recoup those expenditures through imaging charges. For example, the cost of a CT scanner can be as low as $65,000 for a refurbished one that produces only small images quickly. A larger and brand new CT scanner can run as high as $2.5 million. Prices are slightly higher for MRI machines, running up to about $3 million for a new machine. Ultrasound machines are much cheaper at $10,000-$200,000, depending on brand and type. For hospitals and imaging centers, the base price for machines is just the beginning. CT and MRI imaging machines usually cost about $100,000 per year to maintain, since they get very hot and must have an internal cooling source, which also requires a lot of energy.
What does the typical CT scan really cost, per the hospitalâs published reports to the American Hospital Directory? My provider states a single âCT without Contrastâ to be $198, but $60 at their satellite center. With contrast, the figures go to $283 and $89, respectively. Assuming I get three of the $283 scans, it costs $849 â close to the cash price. Maybe I should get my scans from the satellite center at $89 x 3, for $267, really a deal! No wonder there is such anger and distrust with the medical system, and not only with the insurance companies.