MSAA is providing a free MRI of the brain. Neuro really wants a spinal MRI, but they dont pay for that, so that will have to wait.

My neuro has cut his bill down by over 200.00 a visit. He is constantly trying to do things that is within my budget even down to the meds he gives me. He is great and I couldnt ask for a better neuro. I have applied for a few other things with the MSAA and Im still currently waiting for replies.

Yes, we have to pay for everything execept the MRI out of pocket. My dh cant sign up for insurance until February. I will be making alot of calls to my surrounding hospitals and ask for prices on the bloodtests. We live close to a university hospital, and they will be one of the hospitals that I will be calling.

I used to work for a teaching hospital and one way we could get around getting care for a patient was that the exam, xray, cardia cath, etc had to be used for teaching purposes. So the residents had to watch. Now granted that was a lot of years ago but that may be one thing you could ask about.

When I lived in Natchez Miss., I drove almost 2 hours to Jackson to the University Medical Center, which had a great MS clinic. That's where I was diagnosed. No insurance at all. I paid 10% for everything except a couple of specialists who poked their head in the door:rolleyes:. And yes, there were always students present.

The only irritation I experienced in my time there (almost 2 years) was that I did not have "a" neuro who followed me exclusively. But the care was good.

I suggest calling the facility where you will have the testing done and ask for the department that handles "Charitable Care applications". If you do not get an effective response call the Administration dept.

I hope you can get what you need and not go broke doing it. Life on a limited income is hard.