In the last two months, two employees shared the same frustrating story with our Alithias advocates. Their doctors said, “You need to get your MRI or CT scan done here—at our hospital.” The reason? “The images from those other places just aren’t good enough.”
The same thing happened to my wife recently during her MRI appointment. Luckily, we ignored that advice and went to a high-quality independent imaging center instead. We saved more than $2,000!
The bad news? Some doctors still give patients this misleading information to keep them inside their own health system.
Why does this happen? Many doctors get bonuses tied to how well they keep patients “in-network.” Big health systems hate when patients go elsewhere—they call it “leakage.” They claim staying in their system means better quality and easier communication between doctors.
But for everyday tests like MRIs and CT scans, that’s often not true.
Here’s the reality: As long as the equipment is similar, the image quality is basically the same. A 1.5 Tesla MRI machine at an independent center (with up-to-date software) produces results just as clear as one at a major hospital. The same goes for CT scans—a 16-slice machine works the same wherever it is.
Sure, things like poor patient positioning or movement during the scan can cause blurry images. But that can happen anywhere—not just at independent places. Most standalone centers will even redo the scan for free if there’s an issue.
Of course, not all machines are equal. An older 0.375 Tesla MRI won’t match the clarity of a modern 1.5 Tesla one. But for most common scans, the small differences between similar machines don’t affect your diagnosis or treatment.
By law, if your doctor owns the scanner, they must tell you that you have the option to go elsewhere. Choosing wisely can save you (or your employer) thousands.
If your employees ever face this situation—or need honest help finding the best value for MRIs, colonoscopies, orthopedic care, or surgery—partner with an experienced advocacy team like Alithias. Our advocates provide unbiased guidance so your team can make smart, money-saving choices without sacrificing quality.
Ready to lower costs and empower your employees? Contact me today—let’s talk about how Alithias can help your organization. I’d love to share more success stories and show you the difference real advocacy makes.
#HealthcareCosts #EmployeeBenefits #PatientAdvocacy #MedicalImaging #SmartHealthcare