How Much Do MRIs Cost?

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What is an MRI?

How much does an MRI cost?

Are MRIs covered by Medicare?

Does health insurance pay for MRIs?

Where can I find and compare health insurance?

Long story short

MRI scans take detailed pictures of your organs, joints, and more

They use magnetic fields and radio waves to get these images.

There’s no set fee for an MRI, so providers are free to set their own prices

Medicare might cover some or all of the costs, depending on your situation.

Health insurance might help pay for an MRI, but coverage can vary between policies

FYI, your health cover only applies for MRIs as a private patient in hospital.

What is an MRI?

An MRI is a kind of diagnostic imaging process, like an X-ray, to help your doctor diagnose and then treat you. However, unlike an X-ray, MRI scans don’t use radiation.  

Instead, an MRI machine uses magnetic fields and radio waves to create a detailed picture of your brain, joints, organs, and even blood vessels. The catch is you’ll need to lie still in the MRI machine (it looks like a space-age tunnel) for anywhere from 10 minutes to more than a couple of hours.  

Your doctor might refer you to get an MRI scan if they suspect you have an injury or disease, like a tumour, a damaged ligament, or a spinal or joint injury.  

How much does an MRI cost?

MRI providers can set their own fees, so they can vary between places. As a result, you might want to ask for a quote before you book in a scan. 

Keep in mind that the cost of an MRI scan might change depending on the part of your body you’re having scanned. 

Are MRIs covered by Medicare?

While MRI fees aren’t set in stone, Medicare’s ability to help you pay for them is (or at least it’s set in current legislation).  

In fact, for public patients in public hospitals, Medicare generally covers the entire bill.  

However, Medicare isn’t quite as generous if you’re an outpatient. Medicare will pay 85% of the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) rate. But keep in mind that this might not equal 85% of the bill.  

It’s also worth remembering that as an outpatient, your eligibility for help from Medicare hinges on your doctor referring you for an MRI. Satisfying your own curiosity about your insides won’t cut it. 

It’s possible to not have an out-of-pocket cost as an outpatient. You just need to find a diagnostic imaging provider who is happy to bulk-bill.  

Does health insurance pay for MRIs?

If you’re admitted to hospital as a private patient, your hospital cover could pay at least 25% of the MBS fee for your MRI, assuming your policy includes cover for it. Medicare then pays the other 75%.  

However, you may still have out-of-pocket costs, as you’re unlikely to be checking into hospital for just an MRI, and there may be other services that aren’t fully covered by Medicare or your health insurance. Also, remember that providers can charge more than the MBS rate. But a little help covering the bill is better than none! 

This table could give you an idea of what your out-of-pocket cost could be for an MRI as a private outpatient. These are just a sample of the reasons you may be having an MRI. The table shows the typical fees and typical out-of-pocket costs in 2022–23, along with the percentage of people who had an out-of-pocket cost. 

Source: Medical Costs Finder – MBS item 63304, Medical Costs Finder – MBS item 63464, Medical Costs Finder – MBS item 63740, Medical Costs Finder – MBS item 63058, Medical Costs Finder – MBS item 63001, Medical Costs Finder – MBS item 63061, Medical Costs Finder – MBS item 63064, Medical Costs Finder – MBS item 63395, Medical Costs Finder – MBS item 63328, Medical Costs Finder – MBS item 63325, Medical Costs Finder – MBS item 63182, Medical Costs Finder – MBS item 63185 

Note: These are the amounts patients typically paid for these services, rounded to the nearest dollar. These fees may vary depending on your situation. Not all patients had out-of-pocket costs; those who didn’t aren’t included in these figures. Data retrieved February 2025.  

Helpful tip:

No one looks forward to a hospital stay – even with the carrot of hopefully feeling better when you check out. But health insurance can be about more than paying some of your hospital bill. With it, you can enjoy private patient perks, like picking your doctor, a likely shorter wait for elective surgery, and even the possibility of a private room to recover in. 

Andres Gutierrez

General Manager – Health

Where can I find and compare health insurance?

If you’re after an MRI-level of clarity when looking at health insurance, iSelect can help. Our online comparison tool makes it easy to quickly compare a range of health cover options from different providers. You can also call one of our health comparison experts on 1800 784 772.