【MRI Price Comparison 2025】A one-stop guide to MRI scan fees and contrast agent side effects

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a medical imaging technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to accurately visualize internal body tissues. Because it is highly accurate, radiation-free, and non-invasive, MRI examinations are particularly suitable for diagnosing strokes, cancers, and musculoskeletal disorders. Although MRI scans have long been widely used, the general public still has many questions about them, including cost, whether contrast agents are used, and their side effects — let the 10Life editorial team break these down for you one by one! 

An MRI scan typically takes between 30 minutes and 2 hours, depending on the area(s) being examined and the number of scans, and can be performed on an outpatient basis. As for scan fees, depending on the body part and the hospital’s pricing, prices range from $5,400 to $33,600. At the same time, the price may also be adjusted based on the doctor’s assessment of whether the patient needs an injection of a contrast agent.

Some older medical insurance plans may not cover the relevant tests; even if they fall within the scope of coverage, some benefits may include coinsurance, meaning the policyholder must bear part of the cost.

In contrast, some high-end Voluntary Health Insurance (VHIS) or high-end medical insurance will fully cover the related expenses. But how can you tell which VHIS or high-end medical insurance will cover MRI scans? It turns out insurers specify Prescribed Diagnostic Imaging Tests precisely for this item, so readers may wish to visit the Insurance Decoder to compare the relevant coverage.

Depending on the situation, the person being examined may need to be injected with an MRI contrast agent, which may cause reactions such as headache, vomiting, and nausea in about 2% of cases, and there is about a 1 in 400,000 chance of death. If the person being examined has kidney disease or a history of allergy to "gadolinium-containing contrast agents," please inform the examination staff in advance.

In addition, if a breastfeeding woman needs to be injected with a contrast agent, medical institutions generally recommend a 24-hour interval between the injection and breastfeeding, allowing the woman's body to eliminate the contrast agent before resuming normal breastfeeding.

1. If the person undergoing the examination has anxiety or claustrophobia, please inform the testing staff in advance.
2. Pregnant women should first discuss with their attending physician to understand the urgency and risks of the examination.
3. Except for certain organ examinations (such as the abdomen, biliary/pancreatic system, or heart), MRI examinations generally have no special dietary requirements.
4. Metal objects may interfere with imaging and pose a danger. If the person undergoing the examination has any of the following conditions, please inform the testing staff in advance: has medical devices/metal objects placed, implanted, or worn on/in the body, such as a cardiac pacemaker; has tattoos or permanent eyebrow makeup; has had previous surgery; has an intrauterine device (IUD); is currently pregnant.

1. Before entering the testing equipment, the person being tested must change into designated testing garments.
2. After the examination is completed, if the person being tested has no discomfort or allergic reaction and this is confirmed by medical staff, they may leave.

Finally, readers must be reminded that for diagnosing certain conditions, MRI may not necessarily be the best choice. For example, for hollow organs such as the stomach, intestines, and bladder, as well as very small tumors, MRI may not be able to produce clear images. In addition, a physical check-up is not only aimed at cancer but also at assessing cardiovascular disease risk, diabetes, or levels of cholesterol or uric acid; these cannot be obtained via MRI and require blood tests and a doctor's diagnosis to determine. 

Further reading:

〈【CT vs PET vs MRI】An article comparing imaging diagnostic techniques — what to watch out for when buying health insurance?〉

〈【CT Scan/Computed Tomography (CT)】Side effects and examination costs explained!〉

〈【PET Scan Prices】Positron emission tomography charges and principles — all covered in one article! (Includes PET-CT and PET-MRI)〉

Note: This article was last updated on January 24, 2025.

This English version of this article has been generated by machine translation powered by AI. It is provided solely for reference purposes. In the event of any discrepancy or inconsistency between this translation and the original Chinese version, the Chinese version shall prevail.