Yes. Original Medicare covers an MRI when your doctor orders it to diagnose or treat a medical problem. But «covered» doesn’t mean free. What you pay depends on whether you’ve met your Part B deductible, where you get the scan and what other coverage you have. Here’s how the math works in 2026.
Key takeaways
- MRIs are covered under Medicare Part B (medical insurance) when they’re medically necessary and ordered by your provider.
- In 2026, the Part B deductible is $283 a year. You pay that first.
- After the deductible, you usually pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount at a doctor’s office or independent imaging center.
- At a hospital outpatient department, you pay a copayment that can be higher than 20%.
- Medigap, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid and Medicare Savings Programs can change what you owe.
When Medicare covers an MRI
Medicare Part B covers diagnostic tests, including MRI, when your provider orders them to find or treat a medical problem. Medicare doesn’t usually cover an MRI you request on your own, such as a whole-body screening scan without symptoms.
If you get your MRI outside a hospital, the imaging provider must be accredited. Medicare only pays for advanced imaging (MRI, CT, PET and nuclear medicine) from accredited suppliers. Most established centers are, but it’s worth asking.
If you’re admitted to the hospital as an inpatient and get an MRI during your stay, it’s covered under Part A as part of that stay instead.
The 2026 Medicare numbers that matter
| Amount | 2026 |
|---|---|
| Part B annual deductible | $283 |
| Part B standard monthly premium | $202.90 |
| Part B coinsurance after the deductible | 20% of the Medicare-approved amount (most services) |
| Part A hospital deductible (caps most hospital outpatient copays per service) | $1,736 |
These amounts change every January.
What you pay, step by step
Step 1: The Part B deductible. You pay the first $283 of Medicare-approved Part B costs each year. If you’ve already had doctor visits, lab work or other Part B services this year, you may have met part or all of it.
Step 2: Your 20% share. After the deductible, Medicare pays 80% of the approved amount and you pay 20%. This applies to MRIs at a doctor’s office or an independent diagnostic testing facility.
Step 3: Hospital outpatient copays. If your MRI is done in a hospital outpatient department, you pay a copayment instead. Medicare says it may be more than 20% of the approved amount. In most cases, though, it can’t be more than the Part A deductible ($1,736 in 2026) for a single service. Critical access hospitals can be an exception.
Step 4: The radiologist’s fee. A radiologist reads your scan and bills separately. You usually owe 20% of that fee too.
A worked example
The numbers below are hypothetical, to show how the math works. Your actual amounts will be different.
Say the Medicare-approved amount for your MRI at an independent imaging center is $400.
| Situation | What you pay |
|---|---|
| You haven’t paid any of your deductible this year | $283 deductible + 20% of the remaining $117 ($23.40) = $306.40 |
| You’ve already met your deductible | 20% of $400 = $80 |
| You have a Medigap plan that covers Part B coinsurance and you’ve met the deductible | Usually $0 |
If the same scan were done at a hospital outpatient department, the approved amount and your copay would often be higher. Add the radiologist’s reading fee in every case.
To see Medicare’s national average costs for a specific scan, use the Procedure Price Lookup tool on Medicare.gov.
Why the hospital usually costs you more
Medicare pays hospital outpatient departments more than independent centers for many imaging tests, partly to cover hospital overhead. Your share rises with it. If you don’t need hospital-level care, ask your doctor whether you can get the scan at an accredited independent center. Our guide to hospital vs. independent imaging centers explains the difference.
How other coverage changes your cost
Medigap (Medicare Supplement). Most Medigap plans pay some or all of your Part B 20% coinsurance. Plans sold to people new to Medicare since 2020 don’t cover the Part B deductible, so you’ll still pay that first.
Medicare Advantage (Part C). These private plans must cover everything Original Medicare does, but they set their own copays and often require prior authorization for MRI. Your plan may also limit you to in-network imaging centers. Check your plan’s Evidence of Coverage or call the plan before you book.
Medicaid and Medicare Savings Programs. If you qualify, programs such as the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program may pay your deductible and coinsurance.
Employer or retiree coverage. This may pay after Medicare. Ask your benefits office how it coordinates.
Ways to keep your MRI bill down
- Ask whether the imaging center accepts Medicare assignment, meaning it agrees to Medicare’s approved amount as full payment.
- Ask the price before the scan: both the facility fee and the radiologist’s fee.
- Compare a hospital outpatient department with an accredited independent center.
- If you have Medicare Advantage, confirm prior authorization is approved before your appointment.
- If cost is a problem, tell your doctor. Don’t skip a scan your doctor says you need without talking to them first.
- For free, unbiased help, contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).
Frequently asked questions
Does Medicare cover an MRI with contrast? Yes, if it’s medically necessary. The contrast and its administration are part of the covered service, though the approved amount is usually higher than for an MRI without contrast.
Do I need prior authorization for an MRI with Original Medicare? Generally no. Original Medicare doesn’t usually require prior authorization for MRI, but your provider must document that it’s medically necessary. Medicare Advantage plans often do require it.
Does Medicare cover an MRI every year? There’s no set yearly limit. Medicare covers each MRI that your provider orders and that’s medically necessary.
Will Medicare cover a full-body MRI screening? No. Medicare doesn’t cover elective whole-body MRI scans for people without symptoms.
Does the Part B deductible reset? Yes, every January 1.
Sources
- Medicare.gov: Diagnostic non-laboratory tests.
- Medicare.gov: Outpatient hospital services.
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS): 2026 Medicare Parts A & B premiums and deductibles.
- Medicare.gov: Procedure Price Lookup.
This article is for general information only and isn’t financial or legal advice. Your costs depend on your plan, your provider and where you get the scan. For help with your situation, contact Medicare (1-800-MEDICARE) or your local SHIP.