We recently had a resident due to neurological complications, needed to have an MRI of the spine completed.  Because he was over 300#, he was not able to fit into a regular MRI scanner at either of our local hospitals.  We had to send him to a freestanding facility > 50 miles away to have the procedure completed in an open MRI scanner.  We tried to find a hospital-based open MRI scanner, but weren't able to find one.  We just received the bill for the MRI, it was approximately $1900, and we will also be responsible for the cost of the ambulance.  The consolidated billing regulations are clear that we are responsible for these costs. 
 
When reviewing this patient with our hospital administration (we are hospital-based), they would like me to figure out a way to appeal this.  I don't think there is a way to do this, but wanted to put this out to the group to see if anyone else has any ideas.
 
Thanks,
 
Peggy Pringle
 

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