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Insurance & Payment

Clear, Affordable Imaging Costs

Shields makes it easy to understand your MRI costs before your appointment, with tools, flexible payment options, and support every step of the way.

Need to pay your bill? Pay online below.

Price Calculator

Get a personalized MRI estimate using our easy online calculator.

01

Have your insurance card ready.

You’ll be asked for information about what type of insurance you have.

02

Have the MRI CPT code (scan type).

Have the MRI scan type or your procedure’s ordering code, also known as a CPT code, including whether or not you need contrast (e.g., elbow MRI with contrast).

03

Click the button below.

The button below will bring you to our online calculator.

Accepted Insurers

Shields accepts most major insurance plans across New England. Check below to see if your provider is included, or contact us to confirm your coverage.

  • Aetna / Aetna Medicare

  • Blue Cross Blue Shields

  • BCBS Medicare Advantage

  • Cigna Healthcare

  • Fallon Comm Health Plan Select Care

  • Harvard Pilgrim Health Care

  • Health New England

  • Health Plans Inc

  • Mass General Brigham

  • MassHealth

  • Medicare

  • Tufts Commercial

  • Tufts Medicare Preferred

  • Tufts Public Health

  • Wellpoint ( Formerly Known as Unicare)

  • Wellsense

Don’t see your insurer?

Billing Details

Transparent Pricing: Understand Your Costs

We want you to feel fully prepared for your MRI, including knowing exactly how you’ll be billed.

  • In most cases, you’ll receive a single “global” bill from Shields that covers both the scan and the radiologist’s reading fee.
  • At some Shields locations, charges may be billed separately — one bill from Shields for the scan and another bill from the local radiologist for the reading.
  • At a few partner locations, services are billed through our partner provider instead of Shields. These include: Central Maine Health, Atlantic Orthopaedic Sports Medicine, Shields MRI – Wellesley, Cape Cod Health, Tufts Medical Center, Harrington Hospital, and Emerson Hospital.

Pay your bill online quickly and securely

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MRI Pricing

Shields Quality at a Lower Cost

Shields is committed to providing advanced imaging that is more affordable, while delivering the highest level of quality.

  • Most MRIs at Shields cost between $600–$1,200 — often less than half the price of hospital-based imaging.
  • We offer structured payment options to make care more manageable.
  • Our financial team works directly with patients to set up payment plans whenever possible. We prefer to work with you rather than using third-party options.

Have Questions on Pricing or payment plans?

Insurance & Payment FAQs

Easy to understand. Easy to pay.

The difference between a copay and a deductible

A copay is the set amount you pay at the time of service. A deductible is the amount you must pay toward covered services before your insurance begins to cover costs. Typically you will only have one of these, but it is dependent on your insurance plan. Your Shields’ estimate will show either or both, so you know what to expect.

Get your cost upfront — and after

Shields is one of the only providers to offer both an instant cost estimate and a final balance update. Use our calculator tool before your scan to see your estimated cost. Then, once your insurance claim is processed, we’ll text you your exact remaining balance — no guessing, no surprises.

Flexible payment options

Yes. Shields offers structured payment options that allow you to spread out costs. Our goal is to make care affordable and stress-free.

IDTF vs. HOPD — why it matters

Shields operates as an Independent Diagnostic Testing Facility (IDTF). That means we focus only on imaging and don’t carry the added overhead costs of a Hospital Outpatient Department (HOPD). Hospitals often charge higher facility fees because of their broader operations. By being an IDTF, Shields can provide the same advanced technology, expert radiologists, and high-quality care at a much lower cost to patients.

If your insurance isn’t listed

Please call us. We frequently update our insurance partners and will work with you to explore coverage and payment options.

Contact

Reach out to learn more about our services, explore
partnership or career opportunities, or get the
support you need from the Shields team.