do MRI locations know the patient cost after insurance?

Hi, I have a high deductible plan with UHC. I am not close to hitting my deductible. I went to urgent care in network to xray my hand and I noticed the bill had insurance adjustments. In the end I was just billed for an office visit ($115 after insurance) and not the cost of the 3 xray images. Self pay wouldve been 120 office visit, 80 first xray image, 50 + 50 for images after 1st.

Does anyone know what those insurance adjustments are? Due to these adjustments, determining if it’s more beneficial to go through insurance or self pay is not as straight forward. I need an MRI of my ankle now.

Place 1: I talked to one MRI location (bigger company, multiple locations in Chicago) that was able to tell me my cost via insurance would be 487. He said they have a chart that tells you based on which insurance co. I told him I have UHC. Self pay at this place is 295.

Place 2: I asked another location which just seems to be 1 radiologist guy’s office. The admin person said they don’t know what it would be after insurance but that self pay is 300. Are they lying?

Place 1 said they charge the insurance company $1269 as the medical global fee. Place 2 said they charge insurance $1700. I’m pretty sure self pay will be less but I’m curious what everyone thinks. Thanks

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