Does Medicare Cover MRIs? What You Pay in 2026

Reviewed September 30, 2026. Yes, Medicare pays for an MRI when your doctor or other provider orders it to diagnose or treat a medical problem. Part B covers outpatient MRIs as a diagnostic non-laboratory test. With Original Medicare, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after the Part B deductible, which is $283 in 2026, plus a hospital copayment if the scan is done in a hospital outpatient department.

Quick answer: An MRI is covered when it’s medically necessary, ordered by your provider and done by a facility that accepts Medicare. Independent imaging centers must be accredited for advanced imaging. If you’re admitted to the hospital, an MRI during your stay falls under Part A. Medicare Advantage plans cover MRIs too, but often require prior authorization and set their own copays.

When does Medicare cover an MRI?

Medicare lists CT scans, MRIs, EKGs, X-rays and PET scans as diagnostic non-laboratory tests, and says “Part B covers these tests when your provider orders them to find or treat a medical problem.” (Medicare.gov) In practice, an MRI is usually covered when:

• A doctor, nurse practitioner or other provider treating you orders it
• It’s medically necessary to diagnose or manage a condition, such as persistent back pain with nerve symptoms, a suspected joint tear, a stroke evaluation or cancer staging
• The imaging center or hospital is enrolled in Medicare (or is in your Medicare Advantage network)
• For scans outside a hospital, the supplier is accredited for advanced imaging

Medicare doesn’t pay for an MRI you request on your own without an order, or for a scan that isn’t reasonable and necessary for your condition.

The accreditation rule for imaging centers

For advanced imaging such as CT, MRI, nuclear medicine and PET done outside a hospital, the provider must be accredited for Medicare to pay. Medicare.gov also says that “If Medicare doesn’t pay for your test because the provider isn’t accredited, the provider can’t bill you.” It’s still worth asking the imaging center whether it’s accredited and accepts Medicare assignment before you book.

How much does an MRI cost with Medicare in 2026?

Sources: Medicare.gov diagnostic non-laboratory tests and CMS 2026 Parts A and B premiums and deductibles. Your actual cost depends on the facility, whether the provider accepts assignment, the body part scanned, whether contrast dye is used and any other insurance you have. More on the deductible: Medicare Part B deductible: 2026 amount.

Why the location of your MRI matters

The same MRI can cost you more at a hospital outpatient department than at a freestanding imaging center, because the hospital charges a facility copayment on top of the radiologist’s fee. If your provider says an outpatient scan is fine, ask whether an accredited independent center that accepts Medicare is an option.

MRI coverage with a Medigap policy

A Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policy works alongside Original Medicare. Depending on the plan letter, it can pay some or all of your 20% Part B coinsurance and hospital outpatient copayments. With Plan G, for example, you’d typically pay only the Part B deductible for a covered MRI. Plans K and L pay a percentage until you reach their yearly out-of-pocket limits. Compare options in what Medigap plans cover.

MRI coverage with Medicare Advantage

Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans must cover MRIs that Original Medicare covers, but the rules and costs are set by each plan:

• Prior authorization: many plans require approval before a non-emergency MRI. Your provider usually requests it.
• Network rules: in an HMO, you generally must use an in-network imaging center. PPO members can go out of network but pay more. See Medicare Advantage HMO vs. PPO.
• Copays: plans often charge a flat copay or coinsurance for advanced imaging, listed in the Summary of Benefits.
• Out-of-pocket limit: every plan has a yearly maximum that caps what you pay for covered services.

If you’re choosing a plan for 2027 during Open Enrollment (October 15 to December 7), check the advanced imaging copay and prior authorization rules side by side. Our Medicare plan comparison worksheet includes these line items.

MRIs in the emergency room or hospital

If you get an MRI in the emergency department and go home, it’s billed as outpatient care under Part B. If you’re formally admitted as an inpatient, tests during your stay are covered under Part A. Being kept “under observation” is still outpatient care, even overnight. See Does Medicare cover emergency room visits? and Does Medicare cover urgent care? for how those visits are billed.

Common reasons people on Medicare get MRIs

Coverage depends on medical necessity, not the body part. Common examples include:

• Knee or shoulder MRI to check for a torn meniscus, ligament or rotator cuff before deciding on treatment or surgery. Related: Medicare and robotic knee surgery.
• Spine MRI for back or neck pain with numbness, weakness or other nerve symptoms.
• Brain MRI to evaluate stroke, seizures, memory changes or headaches with warning signs.
• MRI for cancer to diagnose, stage or monitor a tumor. See Medicare and cancer patients.

What if Medicare won’t pay for your MRI?

1. Read any notice before the scan. If the provider believes Medicare may not pay, they may ask you to sign an Advance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage (ABN), which explains that you could be responsible for the cost.
2. Check your Medicare Summary Notice or your plan’s Explanation of Benefits to see why a claim was denied.
3. Ask your provider for supporting records showing why the MRI was necessary.
4. File an appeal by the deadline on your notice. Medicare Advantage members appeal to the plan first.

Tips to lower your MRI costs

• Ask whether the imaging center is accredited and accepts Medicare assignment.
• Compare a freestanding imaging center with a hospital outpatient department when your provider says either is appropriate.
• With Medicare Advantage, confirm prior authorization is approved before the appointment.
• Keep your Medicare Summary Notice and compare it with any bill. New to Medicare billing? Read understanding your first Medicare bill.

Frequently asked questions

Does Medicare pay for an MRI?

Yes, when your provider orders it to diagnose or treat a medical problem. Part B covers outpatient MRIs, and Part A covers MRIs during an inpatient hospital stay.

How much does Medicare pay for an MRI?

For a covered outpatient MRI, Medicare pays 80% of the approved amount after you meet the Part B deductible, and you pay 20%. In a hospital outpatient department you also pay a facility copayment.

Do I need prior authorization for an MRI with Medicare?

Original Medicare generally doesn’t require you to get prior authorization for an MRI. Many Medicare Advantage plans do, so check with your plan before the scan.

Does Medicare cover an MRI with contrast?

Yes, if your provider orders an MRI with contrast because it’s medically necessary. The contrast is part of the covered service, and your usual cost-sharing applies.

Does Medicare cover an open MRI?

Medicare covers a medically necessary MRI whether the machine is open or closed, as long as the facility accepts Medicare and meets the accreditation rules. Availability of open MRI machines varies by location.

Can an imaging center bill me if it isn’t accredited?

No. Medicare says that if it doesn’t pay for your test because the provider isn’t accredited, the provider can’t bill you.

This article is general information, not medical or individual insurance advice. Medicare365 is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program.

Official sources

• Medicare.gov: Diagnostic non-laboratory tests
• CMS: 2026 Medicare Parts A and B premiums and deductibles
• Medicare.gov: Compare types of Medicare Advantage Plans