Steamboat SpringsSteamboat Springs — Local residents in the market for MRI services should consider looking closer to home when price-shopping. — Local residents in the market for MRI services should consider looking closer to home when price-shopping.

Steamboat Springs — Local residents in the market for MRI services should consider looking closer to home when price-shopping.

Yampa Valley Medical Center officials announced Wednesday that new, lower prices for magnetic resonance imaging tests went into effect Aug. 1.

While a person’s insurance, deductible and which type of MRI they receive will affect costs, most patients can expect to see several hundred dollars in savings over previous MRI scans.

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“We know there are patients who will leave the Yampa Valley because of potentially lower cost for an MRI,” Bryan Roach, chief financial officer for YVMC, said in a news release. “These price adjustments offer an easier solution. If you factor in a variety of things — time off work, gas, road construction, perhaps childcare — I think patients will be pleasantly surprised at the value of having their MRI at YVMC.”

As an example of the price changes, a patient receiving an MRI brain scan with contrast would have previously been charged $2,079. The new price for the same service is $1,275. If the patient had yet to meet any deductible amount, their savings would be about $800.

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Most MRI procedures now have a price range between $800 and $1,400, with the exception of a breast MRI, which could cost between $450 and $800.

Because each person’s situation is different, YVMC officials encourage people to get a quote through YVMC.

An MRI is a technique that uses a magnetic field and radio waves to create detailed images of organs and tissues inside the body, and it’s a noninvasive way for a physician to examine organs, tissues and the skeletal system. The high resolution MRI images help diagnose a variety of medical problems.

“Because MRI is used to help diagnose such a wide range of problems, it is one of the more frequent procedures performed at YVMC,” Roach said.

YVMC CEO Frank May said that lowering costs aligns well with the hospital’s strategic plan, including a component of the plan to improve the value of healthcare.

Despite the change in price for an MRI, Roach said patients could be assured that the safety and quality standards for such services will continue after the price reductions.

To see a list of MRI price ranges and learn more about MRI services at YVMC, visit yvmc.org/mriyvmc.org/mri or call 970-871-2525. or call 970-871-2525.

yvmc.org/mri or call 970-871-2525.

To reach Teresa Ristow, call 970-871-4206, email To reach Teresa Ristow, call 970-871-4206, email tristow@SteamboatToday.com or follow her on Twitter @TeresaRistowTo reach Teresa Ristow, call 970-871-4206, email tristow@SteamboatToday.com or follow her on Twitter @TeresaRistow