Extremity MRI Buyer's Guide

Copyright 2014

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

For Starters...

For Starters...

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:
Is extremity MRI right for me?
Which extremity MRI is right for me?
How much is this going to cost me?
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 a complete listing of Blocks available systems and services please visit
www.blockimaging.com

Is Extremity MRI
Right for Me?

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 time
ceiling! 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.
For a complete listing of Blocks available systems and services please visit
www.blockimaging.com

Which Extremity MRI

is 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". Now the question becomes: "Which extremity magnet is right for me?"

The 3 Types
To begin making your selection you must know the 3 general types of extremity MRIs that are
available:
High-field superconductive
Low-field permanent
Low-field permanent with limited shoulder capability
Pros for all types:
They all have small footprints
They will all give you good images for extremity scanning
They will all cost less than a new standard MRI
Cons for all types:
They only scan extremities
You cannot image limbs that are larger than the bore (i.e. the limbs of severely obese
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.

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

Which Extremity MRI is Right for Me? (continued)

High-Field Superconductive
Example: ONI 1.0T Extremity MRI
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:

Cons:

The best images available for extremity magnets

No significant drop-off of image quality from your standard full-size MRI
Unlikely to be removed from insurance reimbursement lists anytime soon
Cannot image shoulders
Uses cryogens (small amounts compared to standard magnets) so service costs are
greater than low-field permanent

Low-Field Permanent
Example: Esaote 0.2T C-Scan Extremity MRI
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:
Cons:

Lowest cost
Cannot image shoulders
.2T is a significant drop-off in image quality from standard full-size MRI
Some insurers will not reimburse for scanning on a .2T

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

Which Extremity MRI is Right for Me? (continued)

Low-Field Permanent with Limited Shoulder Capability
Example: Esaote 0.2T E-Scan XQ Extremity MRI
All the time and space-saving benefits of low-field permanent
magnets, plus some of the shoulder scanning capabilities of
standard magnets.
Pros:
Can image shoulders
Relatively low price point
Cons:
.2T is a significant drop-off in image quality from standard full-size MRI
Some insurers will not reimburse for scanning on a .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.

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

How Much Is This

Going to Cost Me?

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.

System Prices
High-Field

$60K

$140K

$180K

$220K

$260K

$300K

High-field superconductive
(1.0T)
High-field superconductive
(1.5T)

$60K

$80K

$100K

$120K

$140K

$160K

$180K

$200K

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

Low-field permanent with shoulder capabilities

( E-scan | 2T - .3T )

CR System and Accessories Costs

stems

Low-Field

$100K

$5K

For a complete listing of Blocks available systems and services please visit
$15K $20K
$25K $30K $35K $40K $45K
www.blockimaging.com

$10K

General Radiology

$50K

How Much Is This Going to Cost Me?

(continued)

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
from a recognized authority (ACR, the Joint Commission, or IAC). The steps of this process and
the 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.

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

Next Steps

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 here

for 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.

Access the MRI Project Planning Checklist

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