Why pay more when you don’t have to?
Costs for diagnostic tests and imaging services, like labs, X-rays, and high-tech imaging, performed in a hospital setting are often among the highest.
New for 2019
When your plan renews in 2019, you’ll pay less when you go outside a hospital setting for these services.*
Here’s How It Works
When you receive diagnostic tests and imaging services at independent clinical labs or freestanding imaging centers you’ll have lower out-of-pocket costs, like copayments and co-insurance, after your deductible is met. You’ll pay higher costs when you receive these services at a general hospital or hospital-owned outpatient center.
Pay less when you choose non-hospital providers for services such as:
- Lab work
- MRIs
- PET scans
- CT scans
- Nuclear medicine
- X-rays and other imaging tests
Remember to check with the office staff members at any location, to make sure they have the necessary information to deliver your test results back to your doctor in a timely manner.
Find an Independent Lab or Freestanding Imaging Center
What’s an independent clinical lab?
An independent clinical lab, where you can receive a lower cost share for services, isn’t part of a hospital or hospital-owned facility. Independent clinical labs perform tests or procedures, such as blood tests, urine tests, and Pap tests, to help diagnose and/or treat medical conditions. Examples of independent clinical labs include Quest DiagnosticsTM and LabCorp.
What's a general hospital?
A general hospital is a hospital that doesn’t specialize in the treatment of particular illnesses or patients. These hospitals focus on general services such as surgery, OB/GYN, pediatric, general medicine, and emergency care.
What’s a freestanding imaging center?
A freestanding imaging center, where you can receive a lower cost share for services, isn’t part of a hospital or hospital-owned facility. Freestanding imaging centers produce specialized images, such as X-rays, MRIs, and ultrasounds, to help identify and diagnose medical conditions. Examples of freestanding imaging centers include Shields MRI and Premier Diagnostics.
What's a hospital-owned outpatient center?
A hospital-owned outpatient center is a health care center that is owned by the hospital but may be at a different location from the hospital.