Extremity Mri Buyers Guide

Table of Contents

For Starters ....................................................................... Page 1

Is Extremity MRI Right for Me? ................................................ Page 2

Which Extremity MRI Is Right for Me? ................................... Page 3

How Much Is this Going to Cost Me? .................................... Page 6

Next Steps ........................................................................ Page 8

Copyright 2014

Extremity MRI Buyer's Guide

For Starters...

For a complete listing of Blocks available systems and services please visitwww.blockimaging.com

Welcome to the Extremity MRI Buyers Guide. What youre about to read is the knowledge Block Imaging has accumulated across dozens of extremity MRI projects; distilled into one handy, 8-page tool to help you make the best magnet purchase for your facilitys specific needs.These chapters will give you a place to start as you build your individual answers to The Big Three extremity MRI purchasing questions:

IsextremityMRIrightforme? WhichextremityMRIisrightforme? Howmuchisthisgoingtocostme?

Our goal is to better equip you to build a budget, select a system, and properly prepare your facility to be successful in extremity MRI. If those are goals you like too, turn the page and get started!

For Starters...

1

Is Extremity MRI Right for Me?


Extremity magnets have always filled a unique niche in the MRI market. Or, more accurately, two niches- each a distinct need. We'll talk about both of them below. If either of these scenarios sounds like your practice, an extremity MRI is an option you may want to consider.

1. Ortho practices have used them to provide in-office MRI capability without the space and capital requirements of a full-size MRI.

If you are part of an orthopedics practice and have a solid understanding of Stark Laws, you may be an excellent candidate for an extremity magnet. The key is understanding the acceptable referral procedures, then choosing the right extremity magnet

2. Busy MRI centers have used them as "overflow units".

Overflow has drawn a significant number of people to consider extremity MRI in the past couple of years. Success in an MRI department is often a matter of throughput. More scans = more patients served = more reimbursements paid.

Every MRI business has a ceiling that limits the number of scans that can be done: the timeceiling!When the number of your potential patient scans will take longer than the amount of time available to you, you must re-evaluate the way you do things.

You can, of course, increase your capacity by becoming more efficient or operating longer hours or more days per week, however, many people are turning toward extremity MRI to offload a significant number of scans from their primary MRI. Knees, elbows, ankles, wrists, feet, and hands constitute a significant workload and all can be scanned on an extremity MRI.

If you fit into one of these categories, extremity MRI scanners can be affordable, practical equipment investments for your facility. Keep reading to find out which models you may want to consider.

And if this doesn't sound like you, you might want to check out other magnet types to learn about the best full-size MRI options for your needs: See More MRI Resources.

2

Is Extremity MRI Right for Me?

Which Extremity MRI is Right for Me?


If you have decided that an extremity MRI is right for you, it's clear that you're ready to affordably expand your facility's capabilities, reallocate your workload, and, ultimately, break through the "time ceiling". Nowthequestionbecomes:"Whichextremitymagnetisrightforme?"

The 3 Types

To begin making your selection you must know the3generaltypesofextremityMRIs that are available:

High-fieldsuperconductive Low-fieldpermanent Low-fieldpermanentwithlimitedshouldercapability

Pros for all types:

Theyallhavesmallfootprints Theywillallgiveyougoodimagesforextremityscanning TheywillallcostlessthananewstandardMRI

Cons for all types:

Theyonlyscanextremities Youcannotimagelimbsthatarelargerthanthebore(i.e.thelimbsofseverelyobese

patients)

Now that you have a general picture of extremity MRI, let's break it down further and take a look at each type on its own.

3

Which Extremity MRI is Right for Me?


High-Field Superconductive

Example:ONI1.0TExtremityMRI

These come in 1.0T and 1.5T flavors. Both are hard to get on the secondary market, but 1.5T versions are especially rare at this point. The decision on 1.0 vs 1.5 may simply come down to availability, but both approach the image quality level of standard magnets.

Pros: Thebestimagesavailableforextremitymagnets Nosignificantdrop-offofimagequalityfromyourstandardfull-sizeMRI Unlikelytoberemovedfrominsurancereimbursementlistsanytimesoon

Cons: CannotimageshouldersUsescryogens(smallamountscomparedtostandardmagnets)soservicecostsare

greater than low-field permanent

Low-Field Permanent

Example:Esaote0.2TC-ScanExtremityMRI

Not all insurers will reimburse a scan on a 0.2T magnet, but the low cost and small footprint of these magnets make it a way to free up your site's primary MRI for a higher volume of "big-ticket" studies while still serving patients that only need an arm or leg scan.

Pros: Lowestcost

Cons: Cannotimageshoulders .2Tisasignificantdrop-offinimagequalityfromstandardfull-sizeMRI Someinsurerswillnotreimburseforscanningona.2T

4

Which Extremity MRI is Right for Me? (continued)


Low-Field Permanent with Limited Shoulder Capability

Example:Esaote0.2TE-ScanXQExtremityMRI

All the time and space-saving benefits of low-field permanent magnets, plus some of the shoulder scanning capabilities of standard magnets.

Pros: Canimageshoulders Relativelylowpricepoint

Cons: .2Tisasignificantdrop-offinimagequalityfromstandardfull-sizeMRI Someinsurerswillnotreimburseforscanningona.2T

The examples we mentioned above are just the tip of the proverbial iceberg in terms of the models and manufacturers youll find in the extremity market, but hopefully, you feel more prepared to make a great extremity MRI pick now than you did at the beginning of this section. If not, the next chapter might help do some of the picking for you.

5

Which Extremity MRI is Right for Me? (continued)

How Much Is This Going to Cost Me?


Now that youre more informed about choosing an extremity MRI, its time to address the question of cost. The answer to this question will come in four layers: system costs, shielding costs, regulatory costs, and ongoing service. Lets dig in, in that order.

Typical System Prices

The factors that will affect the cost of your extremity MRI the most are magnet strength and system age. Magnets with greater strength offer more scanning options and newer systems offer software and coil advances that wont be found on older units.

The chart below shows current average price ranges for the three extremity MRI types we mentioned earlier: high-field superconductive, low-field permanent, and low-field permanent with limited shoulder capability, plus delivery, installation, and a one-year warranty.

6

How Much Is This Going to Cost Me?

CR System and Accessories Costs

System Prices

Hig

h-F

ield

Low

-Fie

ld

Serv

ice

Syst

ems

Acc

esso

ries

$5K

$200

$3K $5K $7K $9K $11K $13K

$400 $600 $800 $1000 $1200

$60K $100K $140K $180K $220K $260K

$10K $15K $20K $25K $30K $35K $40K $45K $50K

Low-eld permanent (.2T - .3T)

General Radiology

Mammography CR

Extra Cassettes (depending on size and brand)

1-year Full Service

1-year Parts Only

$300K

$60K $80K $100K $120K $140K $160K $180K $200K

High-eld superconductive (1.0T)

High-eld superconductive (1.5T)

Low-eld permanent with shoulder capabilities ( E-scan | 2T - .3T )


Shielding

Just like full-size magnets, extremity MRI systems need RF shielding and, just like full-size magnets, there are two main types of shielding available: traditional, built-in shielding, or a modular RF pavilion.

Modular shielding for an extremity MRI costs an average of $10,000 - $20,000 used and $30,000 - $40,000 new. Traditional shielding for a whole room costs about $35,000 for copper and $17,500 for galvanized steel. Shields of both materials function with similar effectiveness if they are installed, tested, and maintained correctly. The advantage of choosing copper is that it is less prone to leakage and corrosion. Therefore, the ongoing costs of repairs and retesting are lower.

Regulatory Costs

This part of your extremity MRI project budget will vary significantly depending on your unique situation. One of the requirements for your scans to be reimbursed is that you receive accreditation fromarecognizedauthority(ACR, the Joint Commission, or IAC).Thestepsofthisprocessandthe costs associated with them will not be the same across the board for all extremity MRI users. In terms of determining these costs, our recommendation is due diligence with the proper authority.

There is also the possibility that your state will require you to obtain a certificate of need before you purchase your system. Once again, be sure to check with your states authorities for definitive answers on what youll need.

Service Costs

For low-field extremity magnets, annual service agreement prices average between $16,000 - $19,000. For high-field systems, service agreements range from $30,000 - $33,000. The primary reason for the difference in the price spread is that high-field systems require the use of cryogens, which can be quite expensive if a refill is needed.

7

How Much Is This Going to Cost Me? (continued)

Next Steps


With answers to some of the big extremity MRI questions in hand, youre ready to begin finding your ideal system. Were ready to help you along the way with anything else that you might need to know. Give us a call at 517.668.8899 or contact us online at blockimaging.com

Enter your requirements herefor help identifying the best MRI system for you

If youd like to learn what to expect logistically during your project, take a look at our free MRI Project Planning Checklist.

Next Steps

Access the MRI Project Planning Checklist

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Extremity Mri Buyers Guide

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