Prenuvo vs Ezra | An MRI Tech Gives Her Insider Opinion

As an MRI Technologist, I have been aware of whole-body MRI scans for a few years now.

In my opinion, these two companies are in the top two spots, leading the way in the whole-body preventative MRI realm.

These preventative MRI scans can offer a preemptive look inside our bodies and can even catch cancer and disease in its early stages.

This post will look at Prenuvo vs Ezra in a side-by-side comparison to see which one comes out on top as the preventative MRI champ.

I go into pricing, scan quality, customer service, and more!

Prenuvo vs. Ezra

Scan Experience

Some things are common to MRI scans across the board.

Both Ezra and Prenuvo scans will be noisy and you will be covered head to toe in coils (which are kind of like cameras and are necessary to produce an image).

You will also need to hold still for the duration of the test, regardless of where you get your scan done. Both Prenuvo and Ezra scans last for about 60 minutes.

There are a few differences between Ezra and Prenuvo when it comes to patient experience during the scan:

Prenuvo

• Prenuvo offers both Spotify and Netflix. 
• Prenuvo scanners are modern and high-tech, complete with engineering to offer a specially calibrated diffusion-weighted imaging sequence, which is a token picture sequence to detect disease and cancer, even in its early stages. 
• Prenuvo facilities are owned and operated by the company. This means that the technologists are specialized and trained in whole-body MRI.
• MRI Machine Type: 1.5 T, wide Bore (70cm diameter) closed MRI (don’t worry, it’s open at the back toilet paper roll style)

Ezra

• Ezra also offers a CT scan of the chest at a low dose. 
• Ezra uses 3 Tesla MRIs, as opposed to Prenuvo’s 1.5 Tesla scanners. This could result in the exclusion of patients who have incompatible metallic implants (such as certain models of heart stents and aneurysm clips). A stronger magnet can also cause more heating in the body during the scan.
• Some of Ezra’s imaging partners use 60cm MRIs. This means that they are smaller in diameter and may exacerbate feelings of claustrophobia, although there are things you can do to mitigate this.
• You can listen to Spotify
• MRI Machine Type: 1.5T, wide bore closed MRI (very size and shape to Prenuvo scanners).

Overall, Prenuvo takes the cake on the scan experience.

This is because they own their own facilities and can provide a consistent scanning experience across the board with the same machines at all locations, as well as Prenuvo-trained technologists and radiologists. 

Scan Quality

Prenuvo can detect tumors as small as 1cm and Ezra claims it can also detect sizes as small as 1.0cm.

Prenuvo uses its own scanning facilities that are operated by Prenuvo staff, which ensures quality and consistency. Prenuvo technologists specialize in whole-body MRI and radiologists are trained to report on Prenuvo scans with consistency.

Since Ezra uses third-party scanning facilities, this means that it may be harder to ensure consistent scan quality as each site likely has its own individual scanning procedures and its own staff.

Website Ease of Use and the MRI Report

Prenuvo

• Prenuvo has in-house radiologists who are all trained to provide consistent reporting across all locations
• Prenuvo’s innovative patient dashboard allows a user-friendly interface. Rating findings as mild, moderate, or severe. Your results will be displayed on this dashboard and you will have access to the full physician report.
  • In this dashboard, you are also able to book appointments, get educated on what to expect during your scans, and download your images. 
• The report can be sent to your doctor or specialist along with a full copy of the images. 
• There is also an app so that you can access your results from your phone. 

Ezra

• Ezra typically provides its full-body MRI scan reports through their online platform. Clients can log in to access their detailed reports, which are designed to be easy to understand.
•  Ezra’s platform often allows users to view their MRI scan images. The Ezra viewer promises an easy-to-use platform to view your images. 
• The MyEzra Patient dashboard allows you to go through your findings with ease. Rating findings on a scale of severity from 1-5. 
• A 45-minute consultation with an Ezra clinician is included. This allows you to go through your report with a specialist. 

However, the specifics of how reports are delivered or if they offer other methods of delivery, such as mailing, are not exactly clear. 

Customer Service

Prenuvo

Prenuvo clients frequently highlight the company’s commitment to ensuring a seamless and comfortable experience throughout the screening process.

What I think makes Prenuvo stand out is that they have their own scanning facilities, which means that everyone across all departments are in direct communication.

This means that the sales team can directly communicate with the technologists and radiologists to ensure your questions are directly answered by the professionals. 

Prenuvo has a proactive approach, providing information and details on their website and Youtube providing tons of information about your scan. If you still need help, you can reach out to Prenuvo:

Ezra

Ezra does not have a YouTube account and most information can be found on their website. 

The website states that they have a dedicated care team that will assist you along the way. However, there was no further information that I could find about what exactly that means. 

They do, however,  have a phone number and email for you to reach out if any assistance is needed. 

Trust Factor and Expertise

Prenuvo

Dr.  Raj Attariwala, MD, Ph.D. is a dual board-certified radiologist and nuclear medicine physician who is certified in both Canada and the United States. 

 What sets him apart is that Raj also holds a doctorate in biomedical engineering from Northwestern University (Evanston, IL).

This means that the Prenuvo team has professional insight from an expert in diagnostic medical imaging and health technology. 

Prenuvo also has a dedicated team of engineers and researchers who are constantly developing and innovating new imaging techniques and analyzing data.

This includes incorporating AI to help assist the radiologist and provide more quantitative data on scans. This means they are pioneers in the field of whole-body MRI and are publishing scientific discoveries in real scientific journals. 

See Prenuvo’s blog for more info on what scientific discoveries they have cooking up! 

Prenuvo also has dedicated scanning facilities and MRI technologists who specialize in whole-body MRI scans. This ensures consistent patient experience and scan quality across the board. 

Ezra

• Ezra uses third-party scanning facilities, technologists, and radiologists. In my opinion, this can have benefits but also drawbacks. 
  
  Using third-party facilities may mean they can offer services at a reduced cost. However, it may also mean that there are inconsistencies in scanning experience and radiology. As the technologists and radiologists are not Ezra employees, but rather contracted third -party professionals. 

• Ezra also has a medical advisory board made up of AI, Oncology, and Radiology experts. However, it is not clear if these experts are third-party advisors or Ezra employees. 

Like Prenuvo, Ezra is also doing some research with regards to AI. They have developed post processing technology (like adding filters to a photo after it is taken). 

However, when perusing their blog, I didn’t see evidence of any scientific publications authored by the Ezra team.

This means they fall short in comparison to Prenuvo on the trustworthy scale, as I would like to see Ezra contribute more to the scientific advancement of preventative whole body MRI.

Pricing

Pricing is quite similar for Prenuvo and Ezra, with Ezra offering a few more flexible options. 

Prenuvo

Prenuvo pricing offers whole-body scans at 2499.00 USD.

They offer financing through Paybright (Canada) and Affirm (USA). They also take a deposit (refundable up to 3 business days before your appointment) to deter last -minute cancellations and wasted appointment spots.  

Ezra

Ezra pricing offers full body scans at 2350.00 USD. They offer monthly payment plans (through Affirm) and also take HSA/FSA dollars. 

• They provide couple, family, and multi-year packages that act as a sort of bulk purchase discount. These offer anywhere from $300-$4700 off. 
• Ezra’s “Focused Scan” options gives you the ability to choose prostate and lung-only scans for 750.00 USD each. This is a great option if you are concerned about those particular areas and do not want to spend money scanning the whole body and other organs you are not as concerned about. 
• They also offer a 45 minute follow-up consultation with an Ezra clinician. 

Prenuvo vs Ezra- Who Wins?

This Prenuvo vs Ezra comparison clearly shows how these two preventative whole-body MRI providers compare.

With Prenuvo as the clear winner due to their rapidly advancing technology and dedication to furthering research. 

Also, Prenuvo owns and operates its facilities with the MRI technologists and radiologists being employed by Prenuvo.

This is a huge plus in my opinion, as it ensures consistency in both the scanning experience and the reporting. This, in my opinion,  is worth the slightly higher price tag.