Michigan's First MRI Full-Body Screening Center

No. MRI emits zero radiation and is not the same as a CT scan that uses ionizing radiation. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a powerful medical tool that creates incredibly detailed pictures of the inside of your body – your organs, bones, muscles, and more. Think of it as a super-powered camera that uses magnets and radio waves instead of X-rays, making it a safe and gentle way to see what's happening inside. MRI scans at Bionicc Body Screening are safe, non-invasive and emit no radiation.

Yes, a full body MRI scan is safe and non-invasive. MRI emits zero ionizing radiation and there is no contrast dye injected for a whole body MRI scan. You can repeat screenings annually or as often as you choose without exposing yourself to ionizing radiation or IV injections.

Yes. Both HSA and FSA are accepted at Bionicc Body Screening in Southfield. Our screenings are an elective procedure and are not covered by insurance, however, we accept payments through Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Savings Accounts. It is recommended that you confirm with your HSA or FSA to be 100% certain that this is a qualifying expense.

The main difference is that a diagnostic MRI investigates a specific symptom you already have, while a screening MRI looks for hidden issues before you have symptoms. Think of a diagnostic MRI as a high-resolution close-up photo of a specific body part, ordered by your doctor for detailed diagnosis and treatment planning. In contrast, a full-body MRI "screening" does not require a referral from your doctor, and it is like a wide-angle panorama of your body, offering a broad health overview. It is performed on individuals without symptoms. It is for proactive health management. The aim is to detect potential problems early, often before they cause symptoms. It uses thicker image slices for a faster scan but doesn't replace the pinpoint accuracy of a diagnostic MRI. The strength of a screening lies in potentially detecting abnormalities early across multiple regions.

No, unfortunately Bionicc Body Screening cannot offer our full body MRI screenings to individuals with a current cancer diagnosis. This is because a screening is designed to detect potential issues in individuals without known symptoms, rather than to monitor or diagnose an existing condition. We understand you're seeking comprehensive health information, however, if you have a diagnosed cancer, you require a different approach. You need targeted diagnostic evaluations conducted in close collaboration with your oncologist or primary care physician. These evaluations are tailored to your specific cancer type and stage, allowing for precise monitoring and treatment planning.

To illustrate, consider a mammogram screening. If an abnormality is found, the next step is not another screening. Instead, the patient undergoes diagnostic tests like biopsies or further imaging to determine the nature and extent of the abnormality. Similarly, a full-body MRI screening is for detection in asymptomatic individuals, not for the management of a diagnosed cancer.

We recommend discussing your specific needs with your physician. They can guide you towards the appropriate diagnostic procedures and develop a personalized care plan.

The full body MRI from Bionicc Body Screening scans from the top of the head through the pelvis. It does not include the arms or legs, which becomes time and cost prohibitive, and the overwhelming majority of people's concerns are happening in the head, neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis and spine. All the major organs are assessed. Scans evaluate the brain, sinuses and mastoids, nasal pharynx, oral pharynx, hypopharynx, thyroid, cervical lymph node chain, lungs and mediastinum, heart and great vessels, esophagus, stomach, liver, gallbladder and biliary system, pancreas, spleen, kidneys, adrenals, bowel, bladder and ureters, reproductive organs, spine, sacroiliac joints, shoulders, pelvis and hips, bony skeleton and soft tissue and vasculature. A whole body MRI does not evaluate the heart for coronary artery disease, nor the intricate architecture of the lung. See the additional FAQs below for more.

No. Screenings from Bionicc Body Screening do not replace any preventative, routine screening that is available through your doctor (e.g. colonoscopy, dedicated breast imaging, Pap-smear screening for cervical cancer, low-dose chest CT for high risk patients). A full body screening is a tool in addition to the routine screenings that your doctor orders. This is not a replacement. Routine screenings ordered by physicians detect about 29% of cancers with 71% occurring in areas not routinely screened. This is why a full body MRI screening from Bionicc Body Screening is incredibly valuable. It screens all the major organs and soft tissues from the top of the head through the pelvis and can detect abnormalities in areas not routinely screened like the pancreas, brain, liver, chest, etc.

No. A full body MRI does not replace any preventative, routine screening that is available through your doctor and does not replace dedicated breast imaging for screening or diagnostic evaluation (e.g. mammography, breast ultrasound, breast MRI with contrast). A full body screening at Bionicc Body Screening in Southfield is a supplemental screening tool designed to evaluate critical organs often missed by routine check-ups—including the pancreas, brain, spleen, and liver.

No. A full body MRI screening from Bionicc Body Screening is limited in the evaluation of the gastrointestinal tract and does not replace a colonoscopy or endoscopy. A screening cannot not evaluate lining of the bowel, but can identify masses usually greater than one centimeter. Wall mass thickening or smaller structures can be hidden by non distended bowel.

No. Full body MRI scans cannot detect colon polyps, but can detect tumors constricting the bowel.

A whole body MRI from Bionicc Body Screening in Southfield, Michigan does evaluate the heart and lungs, however, it is limited. MRI does not evaluate the heart for coronary artery disease. This is done by CT scanning which can give you a calcium scoring for plaque buildup and is not a part of this examination. A screening at Bionicc Body Screening can detect abnormalities of the hilum which is the area behind the heart where tumors or lymph node enlargement can be seen. Above the heart is an area called the mediastinum. This area is also evaluated also well with an MRI screening of the chest. It is a common place for a malignancy to begin. If you are a smoker or former smoker and your main concern is your lungs, then an MRI body screening is not the appropriate test for your lung concerns. You should get a chest CT scan, which can be ordered through your physician. MRI cannot evaluate the really small architecture of the lung or pulmonary micronodules because of the motion that occurs with breathing; however, a full body MRI from Bionicc Body Screening does evaluate the pleural lining of the lungs quite well. 

No. Bionicc Body Screening does not use contrast for any of our MRI body screening packages. There are no injections given for this test. 

Bionicc Body Screening's MRI machine is considered a semi-open MRI, however, it isn't a "true" open MRI that you picture resembling a hamburger bun with a top and bottom and no sides. Our MRI is a Siemens Magnetom Aera 1.5T. It is a "wide-bore" MRI, which is much wider than a traditional MRI allowing for more shoulder room and is farther from your face when lying on your back. It is 27.5 inches wide (70 cm) and 57 inches long (145 cm). It is still a tube, but it is open on both ends. It can hold individuals up to 550 pounds, so it is larger with more room. This makes it much more comfortable for people who experience claustrophobia compared to the smaller, traditional MRI machines.

Bionicc Body Screening has a "wide-bore" MRI that is open on both ends of the tube. The opening is 70 cm in diameter and is larger than traditionally sized MRI machines. The extra size makes it less confining and reduces feelings of claustrophobia.

No, Bionicc Body Screening does not offer oral sedation for severely claustrophobic patients. If you are claustrophobic or highly anxious at the thought of entering an MRI machine, then we highly recommend that you ask your doctor to prescribe a light sedative, or choose to take your own sedative if you have a prescription. Please have someone with you to drive you if you take a sedative.

No, you do not need a referral from a doctor. As the premier elective full body screening center in Michigan, Bionicc Body Screening allows you to order your own full body MRI scan simply by making an appointment. You are in the driver's seat and in control of your proactive health. If you are looking for a dedicated MRI scan of a specific body part, then that does require a doctor's referral. Our facility offers dedicated MRI scans through a different department. 

No. Lipomas are not detected through a whole body MRI screening at Bionicc Body Screening in Michigan. The screening does not evaluate the skin, so if the lipoma is near the surface of the skin, then it won't be seen. If the lipoma is in the body or organs, then those can be very difficult to distinguish between body fat, especially in individuals who have a larger storage of fat. Skin is best assessed by direct physical examination through a physician.

A whole body MRI at Bionicc Body Screening does not evaluate the extremities because it becomes time and cost prohibitive. The vast majority of concerns that we hear involve the areas that our screenings cover. For example, our whole body screening images your major organs like the pancreas, liver, kidneys and brain for abnormalities or tumors. It scans the body from the top of the head through the pelvis and covers the head, neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis and spine. If someone was experiencing trouble or pain in their knees, ankles, wrists or elbows, then other tests would be more appropriate like a dedicated MRI ordered through their physician. 

No, Michigan insurance providers do not cover full body MRI screenings. Bionicc Body Screening offers elective, proactive and preventative screenings and insurance does not participate. This is an out of pocket investment in one's health.  We accept both HSA (health savings accounts) and FSA (flexible savings accounts) for screenings, however, it is recommended that you confirm with your HSA or FSA that it can be used for this procedure.

Yes, financing is available for MRI screenings at Bionicc Body Screening. We have partnered with CareCredit to offer no interest financing. You can pre-qualify at CareCredit without impacting your credit score. Notify our office after you are pre-qualified and schedule your full body MRI appointment in Southfield, MI. Call 1-833-Bionicc (833-246-6422).

No. Bionicc Body Screening does not offer CT scans or DEXA scans. We only offer MRI screenings in Southfield, Michigan.

All scans at Bionicc Body Screening in Southfield are read by a local board certified radiologist licensed in Michigan with 25+ years of experience.

A full body MRI at Bionicc Body Screening takes about 70 minutes in the MRI machine. The entire appointment is just under two hours with checking in and checking out, completing paperwork, meeting the technologist and undergoing the scan.

You typically receive your MRI results from Bionicc Body Screening within 2 weeks

Yes, it is recommended to fast for at least 4 hours prior to your whole body MRI scan at Bionicc Body Screening. You are encouraged to drink liquids leading up to the screening. You should wear comfortable clothing with no metal or zippers, remove jewelry and external patches like glucose monitoring patches and estrogen patches. You will be offered soft pajamas to change into if you do not have appropriate attire.

Yes, as part of our service at Bionicc Body Screening, you will receive a follow up phone call from a qualified member of our medical team. This may be a physician or a nurse practitioner, and they will discuss your results on the phone and explain the report from the radiologist. The medical team does not replace your primary care physician and it is highly recommended that you share the results of your MRI screening with your healthcare provider. 

Yes. Bionicc Body Screening mails you a physical copy of your MRI report and a DVD with all of your images to keep. It is recommended that you share your report with your doctor and other healthcare providers.

No. We do not offer services at Bionicc Body Screening if you have a medical device implanted like pacemakers, cochlear implants, Inspire devices or InterStim devices. Nor can we offer services if you have vagus nerve stimulators, implantable cardioverter-defibrillators, loop recorders, insulin pumps, cochlear implants, deep brain stimulators, and capsules from capsule endoscopy. 

At Bionicc Body Screening, we offer three distinct screening packages to fit your needs , with the price ranging from $1,299 to $2,950.

Want to save more on the cost of a full body MRI?

Book Together: Save $700 when you book two Full Body MRI Screenings for you and a spouse or family member.

Flexible Payment Plans: Bionicc Body Screening offers 0% interest financing for up to 12 months for qualified consumers, with plans starting around $168/month (with an initial down payment).

For a full breakdown of our scan packages, cost and current promotions, please visit our Scans and Pricing page