MRI / CT and Deductibles: USE SELF PAID OPTION
Why It Often Makes More Sense to Pay Out-of-Pocket for MRI, CT, or X-Ray When You Have a Deductible
Suppose your doctor has recommended an MRI, CT scan, or X-ray, and you have a deductible on your commercial insurance plan. In that case, you might be wondering: Should I wait for insurance authorization or just go ahead and pay myself?
At 14 Street Medical, we believe that time, cost, and convenience matter, and here’s why self-paying may be the most practical solution if you haven’t met your deductible yet.
REQUEST YOUR MRI / CT / X-RAY APPOINTMENT
What Is a Deductible?
A deductible is the amount of money you’re required to pay out of pocket for certain covered health services before your health plan starts paying.
Think of it like a yearly minimum. Until you hit that amount:
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You pay 100% of eligible medical costs yourself.
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Your insurance does not contribute toward those services.
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Each plan year, the deductible resets — so you start over again, even if you paid a lot last year.
So if your deductible is $2,000, and you haven’t spent anything yet this year, you’ll be on the hook for the full cost of that MRI, CT, or X-ray — regardless of where you go or who bills it.
Why Waiting for Authorization Doesn’t Make Sense
Insurance authorization can take 7–10 days or more from outside imaging centers. That’s a week of delay just for permission to pay out of pocket anyway!
Meanwhile, your condition may worsen, your treatment is delayed, and you still receive a hefty bill.
The Smart Alternative: Self-Pay at 14 Street Medical
At 14 Street Medical, we offer immediate next-day appointments for imaging, with flat, discounted self-pay pricing:
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MRI – Only $550
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CT Scan – Only $550
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X-Ray – Ask about bundled pricing
No waiting. No surprises. No hidden fees.
And your test results are reviewed promptly by board-certified radiologists and sent directly to your doctor, so your treatment plan can move forward without delay.
Why Self-Pay Is Often the Better Deal
| Option | Wait Time | Upfront Cost | Insurance Pays? | You Still Pay? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outside Center (with deductible) | 7–10 days | $1,000–$1,200 | No (until deductible met) | Yes (most or all) |
| 14 Street Medical (Self-Pay) | Next Day | $550 | No need | One-time, low cost |
Bottom Line:
If you have a deductible, you’ll likely be paying out of pocket anyway — so why wait?
Choosing self-pay imaging at 14 Street Medical means:
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No delays
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Lower cost
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Faster results
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No insurance hassles
Ready to schedule your imaging?
Call us today at (646) 887-7107 or REQUEST YOUR MRI, CT, X-RAY APPOINTMENT
We'll get you in as soon as the next day.
