In today’s skyrocketing healthcare landscape, where a simple diagnostic procedure can drain your savings, savvy consumers are turning to innovative strategies to cut costs without compromising care. Websites like MDsave.com are revolutionizing how we approach medical expenses by allowing patients to shop for procedures like MRIs and CT scans at deeply discounted, upfront prices.
But the real game-changer? Pairing this with a fixed benefit indemnity health plan. These plans pay out a predetermined cash amount for covered procedures, regardless of the actual cost.
If you find a deal cheaper than the payout, you pocket the difference—turning a medical necessity into a potential financial win. In this post, we’ll dive into the cost savings potential, backed by real examples, and explore why this combo is a lifeline for the uninsured, underinsured, or those with high-deductible plans.
First, let’s confront the elephant in the room: the exorbitant cost of diagnostic imaging in the U.S. Without insurance, an MRI can set you back anywhere from $400 to $12,000, with a national average hovering around $1,325. Factors like location, facility type, and whether contrast is used play a huge role. For instance, a brain MRI at a hospital might cost $2,000 or more, while the same scan at an outpatient center could be half that. CT scans aren’t much kinder, ranging from $300 to $6,750 on average, with some hitting $20,000 in extreme cases. An abdominal CT scan without contrast might average $525 at an imaging center but balloon to $4,750 if done inpatient at a hospital.
These prices fluctuate wildly—urban areas like New York or San Francisco often charge premiums, while rural spots might offer slight relief. Add in hidden fees for radiologist readings or facility charges, and it’s no wonder medical bills are a leading cause of bankruptcy.
Enter MDsave.com, a platform that acts like an Expedia for healthcare. It partners with providers nationwide to offer bundled, transparent pricing for common procedures, often at 30-60% off the national average. You search by zip code, compare options, and purchase a voucher upfront—no insurance required.
This eliminates surprise billing and empowers patients to choose based on price, reviews, and convenience. For MRIs, MDsave lists options starting as low as $293, with many in the $400-$800 range, well below the $893 national estimate for an MRI without contrast.
Take a lumbar spine MRI: In Texas, you might snag it for $450 at a participating clinic, compared to the typical $1,200-$2,000 elsewhere. CT scans fare even better on the site, with prices kicking off at $220 for a scan with and without contrast. In California, an abdominal CT with contrast could cost just $246-$551, versus the U.S. average of $500-$3,000. These aren’t skimpy deals; they include the scan, interpretation, and sometimes follow-up consultations, all locked in at purchase.
The savings stories are compelling. Consider Sarah, a freelance writer in Atlanta needing a knee MRI for persistent pain. Without insurance, quotes from local hospitals ranged from $1,500 to $2,500. On MDsave, she found a bundle for $610 at a certified imaging center— a 60% discount off the high end. Or Mike in Chicago, who required a chest CT scan after a bout of pneumonia. Traditional costs? Up to $3,000. MDsave hooked him up for $350, including contrast.
These platforms don’t just save money; they promote competition among providers, driving down prices overall. MDsave claims users save an average of 50% on procedures, and with over 4,000 partnered facilities, options are plentiful even in smaller towns.
But here’s where it gets even smarter: layering on a fixed benefit indemnity plan. Unlike traditional insurance that reimburses based on negotiated rates or actual expenses, fixed benefit (or hospital indemnity) plans pay you a flat cash amount for specific events or services, directly to you or the provider.These are supplemental policies, often affordable at $20-$100 monthly, and they’re not subject to ACA mandates, making them flexible for gig workers or those between jobs. For diagnostic imaging, payouts vary by plan tier but commonly range from $250 to $500 per test for MRIs, PETs, or CT scans. Higher-end plans might offer $700 or more for advanced scans. The key? The benefit is fixed, irrespective of what you actually pay. So, if you shop smart on MDsave, any amount under the payout is yours to keep—covering copays, travel, or even unrelated bills.
This combination is a powerhouse for cost savings. Let’s crunch some numbers with real-world examples. Imagine you’re enrolled in a mid-tier fixed benefit plan that pays $400 per outpatient diagnostic test for MRI or CT scans.
You need a brain MRI, which averages $1,200-$4,000 uninsured. On MDsave, you locate one in your Florida zip code for $500 (a common discounted rate for non-contrast brain MRIs). You buy the voucher, get the scan, and submit the claim. The plan sends you $400—wait, no: since it’s fixed, you get the full $400 regardless. But if you paid only $500 out-of-pocket, and the plan reimburses $400, your net cost is $100. Better yet, some plans pay directly to you upfront or upon diagnosis, so you could receive the $400 check, use $500 for the procedure (or less if discounted further), and pocket the surplus if the math works in reverse—wait, let’s clarify.
Actually, the pocketing works like this: Fixed benefit plans pay the set amount upon the event occurring, not as reimbursement. So, for a $400 MRI benefit, you get $400 cash when the MRI is performed. If you shop and pay only $300 via MDsave, you net $100 profit. Yes, profit on healthcare! Take John, a small business owner in Ohio with a basic indemnity plan paying $300 for CT scans. He needed an abdominal CT after digestive issues. Average cost: $800-$2,000. On MDsave, he scored it for $220 in nearby Columbus. Plan payout: $300. John pays $220, receives $300, and pockets $80—enough for a week’s groceries. Another example: Lisa in California, whose plan offers $500 for major diagnostic imaging like PET/CT combos. For a full-body CT with contrast, quotes hit $3,000. MDsave: $551 max in her area. She pays $400 (average deal), gets $500 from the plan, and banks $100 while getting top-notch care.