Medicare covers MRI scans when a doctor deems them medically necessary for diagnosis. The Medicare part that covers an MRI will depend on a person’s hospital status.
Most people in the United States can register for Medicare insurance when they reach the age of 65. People with specific health conditions, such as end stage renal disease (ESRD), are eligible sooner.
If a doctor recommends an MRI scan to confirm a diagnosis, certain parts of Medicare may cover all or part of the costs involved.
Glossary of Medicare terms
- Out-of-pocket cost: This is the amount a person must pay for care when Medicare does not pay the total amount or offer coverage. Costs can include deductibles, coinsurance, copayments, and premiums.
- Premium: This is the amount of money someone pays each month for Medicare coverage.
- Deductible: This is an annual amount a person must spend out of pocket within a certain period before Medicare starts to fund their treatments.
- Coinsurance: This is the percentage of treatment costs that a person must self-fund. For Medicare Part B, coinsurance is 20%.
- Copayment: This is a fixed dollar amount a person with insurance pays when receiving certain treatments. For Medicare, this usually applies to prescription drugs.
Medicare considers MRI scans to be diagnostic nonlaboratory tests. It covers these scans when a physician or another healthcare professional orders one as an essential step toward a diagnosis.
The out-of-pocket price of a scan can vary, depending on whether a person has Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan.
Read more about Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage.
Medicare Part A
Medicare Part A covers inpatient hospital care, home healthcare, skilled nursing facility care, and hospice care.
If a doctor orders an MRI scan while a person is admitted to a hospital, Medicare Part A will cover eligible expenses.
Medicare Part B
If a person has an MRI scan as an outpatient, Medicare Part B will cover up to 80% of eligible costs as long as both the doctor and imaging facility accept Medicare.
Part B also covers other medically necessary services, including:
- durable medical equipment
- ambulance services
- home health services
- preventive services
A person’s must first pay the Part B deductible, which is $257 in 2025.
Medicare Advantage
Medicare Advantage, also called Part C, is an alternative to Original Medicare that private insurance companies administer on Medicare’s behalf.
People with Medicare Advantage plans should contact their plan provider to find out how much they may need to pay out of pocket for an MRI.
Medicare Part D
Medicare Part D prescription drug plans cover take-home medications. Private insurance companies also administer these plans that a person may purchase alongside Original Medicare.
A Medicare Advantage plan might also include the coverage that Part D offers.
Some people may find MRIs stressful as people are confined to a small space for the scan’s duration. In these cases, a doctor may prescribe an antianxiety medication that Part D may cover.
Learn about MRI scans.
Medicare’s price lookup tool shows that out-of-pocket MRI costs in a hospital outpatient department were around $17, while the cost in an ambulatory surgical center was $9.
These costs are based on 2024 national averages.
Medicare resources
For more resources to help guide you through the complex world of medical insurance, visit our Medicare hub.
When a doctor needs an MRI scan to make a diagnosis, Medicare provides coverage.
If the scan occurs when an individual is an outpatient, Medicare Part B covers 80% of eligible expenses. If they have the scan during a hospital admission, Part A will cover eligible costs in full once they have paid their deductible.
If a person has a Medicare Advantage plan, it is best to speak to the plan provider directly to confirm out-of-pocket costs.
