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An example is the cost of a recent MRI that I had cost $1650. My provider paid $890, leaving $760, of which the Doctor can only charge me $350 as dictated by the provider and the powers that be. The Doctors loss is $450.

The doctor is not "losing" $450. MRIs are vastly overpriced on a routine basis. If you had to pay the whole $1650 instead of $350 you would shop around. Then you would discover that you could get the same MRI for a fraction of the cost.

The doctor is not "losing" $450. MRIs are vastly overpriced on a routine basis.

Let's assess how the original charge is arrived at, shall we?

Cost of scanner: 1.5 - 2 million $

Place to put scanner (facility build out, rental, compliance with reams of regulations): 500K

Tech to run scanner + benefits: 150K.

Nurse to start IVs and sedate claustrophobic pt + benefits: 200K

Service contract to maintain scanner: 50-100k/yr

Clerical staff+ benefits: 100K

IT infrastructure for interpretation and reporting: 200K

Malpractice/liability insurance: 100K/yr

Radiologist salary: $300K/yr

Housekeeping services: 50K/yr

Utility charges: 10k/yr (?)

You might want to rethink your original statement.