How vital is MRI scanning, and what impacts the pricing of scans in India?

MRI scans make use of highly intense magnetic fields to map the tissues of a human body and produce an accurate image of the internal anatomy that is crucial to detect the anomalies. Magnetic imaging resonance typically manipulates the water inside the tissues to emit low radio waves that are picked by the MRI antennas and are used to produce a 3D image of the body part scanned. The MRI scans have been playing a crucial role in assisting the doctors in diagnosing cancer, issues in the nervous system and joints. However, the entire MRI diagnostic applications come with a considerable price. Not only the MRI machines cost a fortune, the enormous effort and labour involved in maintaining an imaging centre is also expensive. This article intends to shed light on the elements that make MRI scans entirely a costly affair.

What impacts the pricing of MRI scans?

The enormous machine size and the importance of the procedure often associate the MRI scans with a fear that leaves the patients intimidated. The scan cost can double up the apprehensions concerning MRI, and it is surprising to note that the pricing of the MRI scans often vary widely according to the places. What exactly influences the cost of an MRI scan-Location, hospitals, or the part to be scanned? Find out the factors contributing to the rising scan cost in the following section.

Factors that contribute to the MRI brain costs in Chennai

Costly MRI machines

Perhaps the essential element that contributes to the rising MRI scan cost is the massive cost of MRI machines that starts from $ 1 million for a low powered one to $3 million for a fully equipped MRI machine. Moreover, these machines are required to operate in a magnetically sterile environment, which is typically expensive to maintain. The imaging centres need safety features built into their facilities to avoid the damage of people and property enclosed in it. It is costly to build an MRI room featuring all the safety measures. 

Operational costs

The magnetic field and the expertise to handle these powerful machines require huge costs. The energy to operate an MRI machine makes it too costly. The cost also depends upon the various elements that add to the operational cost. One such element is a contrast dye, a magnetically responsive liquid, ordered by the doctors to highlight the anomalies that stand out in the final image produced. 

Cost of labour

The time and efforts of the doctors and technicians involved in the scanning also affect the pricing of the best MRI scan in Chennai. Technicians are the professionals who operate the MRI machines, and the radiologists are the doctors who interpret the results obtained. These interpretations are sent to the physicians for further diagnosis. 

Hospital expenses

The location and the reputation of hospitals are also a vital element that adds on to the MRI scan costs in Chennai. So do not be surprised if you find your scan cost higher in a well-known hospital even if the same machine, same facilities, or even the same professionals attend your scanning. The costs that are added are the costs that need to run their facility like maintenance, hospital staff, administrators and operations. 

Read More : What It's Like To Have An Mri Scan