Private MRI Clinics - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

cSpooge · 05-12-2010, 04:59 PM

Has anyone had experience going to one of the private clinics in the city? I wrecked my knee in NZ and my doc and my physio figured I tore my meniscus and possibly my ACL, but through our lovely health care system I can't get in until November 30th for an MRI, so I'm probably going to go the private route. Just wonder if anyone has gone to one the clinics here and what their experiences were.

JiriHrdina · 05-12-2010, 05:31 PM

I had my knee done at EFW in Beddington Towne Centre. Pretty easy experience. Once I decided to pay for the private MRI they got me in that same day - and now I even have a neat DVD of my MRI.

I strongly advise going the private route if you can afford it. My knee was mis-diagnosed for the first few months. By the time they suspected I had torn my ACL and meniscus (similar to your likely injury) - it had been months. Because of that I developed a very stiff knee that made the surgery and subsequent recovery a lot longer and more painful (and more expensive for me with all the physio costs - thousands and thousands of dollars).

The sooner you get the MRI, the sooner you can get a surgery date - and the sooner all that happens - the more likely you will have a smooth recovery.

So if you have it - buck up the cash and get in there pronto!

Good luck to you. It's not a lot of fun. PM me if you have specific questions about any of it.

Ryan Coke · 05-12-2010, 05:37 PM

What kind of ballpark are we talking about for dollars?

Old Yeller · 05-12-2010, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cSpooge

Has anyone had experience going to one of the private clinics in the city? I wrecked my knee in NZ and my doc and my physio figured I tore my meniscus and possibly my ACL, but through our lovely health care system I can't get in until November 30th for an MRI, so I'm probably going to go the private route. Just wonder if anyone has gone to one the clinics here and what their experiences were.

I tore my meniscus and partially tore my ACL playing soccer. It took me 5 months before I finally got into the Sports Med facility at UofC where things progressed pretty quickly after that.

When I was complaining about the wait times to a buddy of mine, he said that when he blew out his MCL playing hockey that he told his doc that he could go for an MRI any time day or night. It only took him 3 weeks to get in one. It was at some obscure time like a Saturday night at 8:30pm but really, when you've got a knee injury who cares as long as it's fast.

You could try talking to your doctor again and getting him to get you into a clinic at the first available cancellation, it may come up faster than you or your doctor thinks.

Eddie Bronze · 05-12-2010, 09:39 PM

I looked into this because I have the long delay for an MRI as well. Went to the neurologist on December 1st, 2009, brain MRI scheduled for August 5, 2010.

I called Mayfair Diagnostics who are down on Elbow and Glenmore. I believe it was around $1500 for a basic MRI and $2100 for a more specialized MRI if that was needed. Find out what kind of MRI you need before you call.

VladtheImpaler · 05-12-2010, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryan Coke

What kind of ballpark are we talking about for dollars?

When we sent clients it was more in the $700-750 range...

JiriHrdina · 05-12-2010, 10:22 PM

I think I paid $850 for mine

cSpooge · 05-12-2010, 10:38 PM

yeah I have an appointment with my doc on wednesday next week to get a referral to a private clinic. My knee is just getting worse and worse so the sooner I get it taken care of the better.

Chingas · 05-13-2010, 12:04 AM

There shouldn't be any private MRI clinics, it is unfair and unjust. You shouldn't be able to spend your hard earned dollars on the most important thing, yourself.

I kid, however if MRI's and surgery are going to take so long that further damage may be irreversable you may want to look into a trip to Thailand.

I know quite a few people who have done this for different medical reasons (quite often Dental work). You can get a quality MRI, and world class surgery done immediately and quite reasonable in price. Even if it is just the MRI you can probably subsidize up to 3/4 of a holiday to Thailand for the money you would save.

pylon · 05-13-2010, 01:05 AM

I went to Mayfair Diagnostic for my knee after being told 4-5 months wait if I used AHC, wait time 2 days, cost.... like photon $850. There is no way you justify, or put a price of $200/mth on suffering through the pain and unsurity to get an accurate diagnoses.

It seems a bit unfair, and I think that those that cannot afford it should not have to suffer through the wait, but being able to just throw it on my VISA card was a huge relief. As I went through the experience I thought a good way to make it fair was have a subsidy program available to those who can't afford it, so they can get in faster, and also balance out the wait times. It would make them shorter for those that can't afford it, and a little longer for those that can.

How it would work is, if you truly cannot afford the cost yourself, you just have to prove it. Bring in your last 3 bank statements (so you can't just clean out your account before you go in and claim to be broke) and supply a credit report proving you have no available credit, and they will get you in sooner. Then those that are just cheap, and are willing to risk their health and wait.... can wait. Where as the guy or gal or parent that truly can't afford it, can get near the front of the line with those that can. I know it is just another version of a 2 tier system, but at least it helps out those that have the right intention, just not the right means.

SoulOfTheFlame · 05-13-2010, 04:07 AM

Wow...

Kinda shocking to see the price figures you guys are mentioning...

I got a private MRI down here 5 weeks ago for 290$.

SeeBass · 05-13-2010, 05:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoulOfTheFlame

Wow...

Kinda shocking to see the price figures you guys are mentioning...

I got a private MRI down here 5 weeks ago for 290$.

I was actually suprised how cheap it appears to be.

I was going to get a full scan for my wife in Palm Springs I believe it is about $3000.

Incogneto · 05-13-2010, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoulOfTheFlame

Wow...

Kinda shocking to see the price figures you guys are mentioning...

I got a private MRI down here 5 weeks ago for 290$.

Where did you get a price like that?

nickerjones · 05-13-2010, 08:36 AM

I just got an MRI for my back here in Oklahoma ... They charged me 91 bucks after insurance. However they charged my insurance something like 3800 bucks for a 15 min MRI lol!

mykalberta · 05-13-2010, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cSpooge

yeah I have an appointment with my doc on wednesday next week to get a referral to a private clinic. My knee is just getting worse and worse so the sooner I get it taken care of the better.

Why bother waiting for the referral, cant you just walk into the private clinic and put down the cash and say scan me?

Raekwon · 05-13-2010, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

When we sent clients it was more in the $700-750 range...

$700 - $750? Then how come all the bills we receive from you say $7000 - $7500?

VladtheImpaler · 05-13-2010, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raekwon

$700 - $750? Then how come all the bills we receive from you say $7000 - $7500?

Not in this country.

Shazam · 05-13-2010, 12:04 PM

You give us 50% of that money you're skimming Vlad and we won't tell the cops.

dubc80 · 05-13-2010, 12:11 PM

I had an MRI done via Alberta Health Care this year at Richmond Road Diagnostic Centre.

I was referred by my family doctor in January and when I made an appointment, they told me it wouldn't be till June. Brutal!

However, I called the clinic and they added me to the cancellation list. I got scanned in early March.

VladtheImpaler · 05-13-2010, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shazam

You give us 50% of that money you're skimming Vlad and we won't tell the cops.

I wish, but those insurance bastids want receipts...