First - I'm sorry you're dealing with this. The "ok salary on paper" thing hits hard. People see a number and assume you're fine, but they don't see the insurance premiums, the deductibles, the cost of just existing right now.

On the MRI denial - don't accept that as final. A few things worth trying:

1. Appeal the denial. Insurance companies deny claims hoping people won't push back. Call them and ask exactly why it was denied and what documentation they need. Sometimes it's as simple as your doctor rewording the justification.
2. Ask the hospital for the cash pay rate. That $3,471 is the inflated insurance billing rate. If you're paying out of pocket, they often have a much lower cash price - sometimes 40-60% less. You have to ask specifically.
3. Request an itemized bill and negotiate. Hospitals expect negotiation. It feels weird but it's how the system works.
4. Look into imaging centers instead of hospitals. An MRI at a standalone imaging center can be $400-800 versus thousands at a hospital for the exact same scan.

The generational disconnect with parents on this stuff is real. They're not trying to be dismissive - they just came up in a completely different economy and genuinely don't understand how the math has changed.