You posted in this in the wrong part of the forum. Your post would be better suited in "Healthy Living".
But I will try and help you. I have a lot of joint tears and degeneration throughout my body with severe chronic pain so i have a fair idea how these things work.
But it also depends on what country or state you live in. Here in Australia your regular family doctor can refer you to have an MRI, but the downside is yoy have to pay the full cost of the MRI out of your pocket when a regular doctor refers you.
If a specialist refers you, for example an orthopedic surgeon or muscle skeletal specialist, then the cost of the MRI is either partially or fully covered depending on your status as a pensioner or holder of a health care card, or a membership of a healthcare fund. Otherwise the full cost of an MRI is several hundred dollars.
The results of the MRI is always sent back to the reffering doctor but you can also make requests to forward copies and results of your MRI to other specialists. You also have the option to request the pictures of your MRI scan to be put onto a cd to take with you to your choice of doctor. You can discuss all of these things with the staff on the day of your MRI.
You can also ring the MRI place and ask the receptionist the same questions you have posted here. Good luck.
