...Quality, Cost and Convenience
QUALITY
Forest City Diagnostic Imaging continually strives to establish a reputation of doing “whatever it takes” to consistently deliver the highest quality of services to our patients and physicians on a timely basis. All of the diagnostic imaging equipment at Forest City is comparable to the imaging equipment at the area hospitals. Image quality is not compromised when you come to Forest City Diagnostic Imaging.
The technologists are very experienced and have well over 100 years of combined experience. All of our technologists have worked at an area hospital during their career. You can rest assured that they will obtain the best images possible when coming to Forest City Diagnostic Imaging.
The Radiologists reading at Forest City Diagnostic Imaging are from Rockford Radiology Associates. They have many years experience at reading diagnostic imaging exams, and are also the same group of radiologists reading at two of our local hospitals. Rockford Radiology Associates offer sub-specialty readings in Musculoskeletal and Neuro-radiology. You, as a patient, can rest assured that our experienced and caring physicians will provide an accurate and detailed report for you.
Quality is a high priority for Forest City Diagnostic Imaging. We will apply the highest professional standards when delivering patient and physician services. For this reason, Forest City Diagnostic Imaging obtained their ACR Accreditation. The ACR awards accreditation to facilities for the achievement of high practice standards after a peer-review evaluation of its practice. Image quality and procedure evaluations are conducted by board-certified radiologists and medical physicists who are experts in the field. The program also evaluates personnel qualifications, adequacy of facility equipment, quality control procedures and quality assurance programs. When you choose an ACR-accredited facility, you know the personnel are well qualified, the center has gone through a rigorous review process to be sure it meets nationally-accepted standards. The equipment is appropriate for the test or treatment you will receive, and the facility meets or exceeds quality assurance and safety guidelines.
Forest City Diagnostic Imaging is proud to be ACR certified in both our Open and Hi-Field MRI units, CAT Scan, and PET/CT.
COST
Are you concerned with how much your MRI, CT scan, Ultrasound, or other imaging exam will cost you? If your insurance plan has a deductible or coinsurance, or if the exam is not covered by insurance, you may pay significantly more for you imaging at a hospital than you will pay at Forest City Diagnostic Imaging. Please see the table below.
|
Average Billed Charges |
Forest City DI |
Hospital A** |
Hospital B** |
Hospital C** |
Hospital D** |
|
CT without Contrast |
$931.00 |
$974.00 |
$1,477.00 |
$1252.00 |
$1,282.00 |
|
CT with Contrast |
$1,091.00 |
$1,187.00 |
$1,856.00 |
$1,865.00 |
$1,620.00 |
|
MRI without Cont |
$1,682.00 |
$2,147.00 |
$2,243.00 |
$2,059.00 |
$2,275.00 |
|
MRI Combined |
$2,355.00 |
$3,532.00 |
$3,203.00 |
$3,614.00 |
$3,204.00 |
|
**Hospital Data Taken from American Hospital Directory 2009 pricing-AHD.COM |
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The table above compares the average charges for imaging exams at several local hospitals to the average charge at Forest City Diagnostic Imaging. The charge is the “list price” for an imaging exam, before the application of discounts, and before any reduction to reflect the rates negotiated by your insurer. As discussed in more detail below, the actual out-of-pocket costs for each patient will vary based on a number of factors, including whether the patient qualifies for a discount, whether the procedure is covered by insurance, and if so, whether any deductible, co-insurance or other limitation applies.
If your exam is covered by private insurance:
To control costs, your insurer negotiates with imaging providers on your behalf for a “contracted rate”. The contracted rate is the maximum amount that an imaging provider can collect for a covered service, and is usually less than the standard charge. Contracted rates vary from one imaging provider to another and from one insurance plan to the next. It is important to educate yourself. Before scheduling your next imaging exam at a local hospital, we encourage you to consult with your insurer about coverage, and to ask the hospitals what you can expect to pay out-of-pocket, based on their contract rate, deductible, and co-insurance of your plan. Call us to find out what you can expect to pay out-of-pocket at Forest City Diagnostic Imaging as a point of comparison. Like many of our patients, we think you’ll be pleasantly surprised. Why pay more? Choose Forest City Diagnostic Imaging. Call and compare at 815-398-1300.
If your exam is not covered by insurance:
If you are scheduling an exam that is not covered by insurance, then, subject to any available discounts, you will be responsible for 100% of the charges for your service. As you can see, the average charges of the local hospitals can be significantly higher than the average charges of an independently-owned imaging center like Forest City Diagnostic Imaging. Before scheduling your next imaging exam at a local hospital, we encourage you to ask the hospital for their charges. You should also ask whether the hospital offers any discounts, including for full pre-payment. Then call us to find out the FCDI charges and available discounts as a point of comparison. Like many of our patients, we think you’ll be pleasantly surprised. Why pay more? Payment plans are also an option. Choose Forest City Diagnostic Imaging. Call and compare at 815-398-1300.
**Local hospital data is based on information reported to American Hospital Directory—ahd.com**
CONVENIENCE
Forest City Diagnostic Imaging strives to provide the best customer service possible to our patients. At FCDI, we understand that everyone’s time is valuable. We try to make our scheduling process as simple as possible. It is as easy as letting your physician that you would like to have your imaging at FCDI. Have your physician fax the order to us. We take care of the rest, and will contact you as soon as possible. Outside of the normal 8:30-5 hours, we offer early morning, evening, and Saturday appointments to try and accommodate everyone’s schedule. We will usually be able to schedule your appointment within a day or two, and for CT, Ultrasound, and X-ray we can even accommodate same day appointments. MRI may also be same day, but usually the next day
We also know how important it is for your doctor to receive your results promptly. We have Radiologists onsite, so our report turn-around time is very quick. If your appointment is scheduled before 4:00pm, your report will be at your doctor’s office the same day. If your appointment is after 4:00pm, your results will be faxed the next morning. At the end of your exam, you will leave with a CD of your images. This will enable you to have the images with you for continuation of care. Your physician is able to review your images on our website as soon as your exam is completed. We are also able to import our images into any of the hospital systems so it is available if you should need surgery or any other type of care.
We are conveniently located on the back side of Crimson Ridge Florist. There is parking directly in front of the building. If you need assistance, please don’t hesitate to call us at 815-398-1300. We will be right out to help you. Once inside the building, there are no long hallways to trudge through like at the hospitals. You walk right into our waiting area and are greeted by our receptionists who will promptly start the check-in process.
