How Much Does an MRI Cost in NZ?

What is an MRI?

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a medical technique that uses a strong magnetic field and computer-generated radio waves to create detailed images of the organs and tissues inside the human body.

MRIs are non-invasive, and create 3D images that can be analysed in-depth, giving medical specialists a clear idea of what’s going on in a body, without resorting to invasive procedures such as surgery.

Unlike computed tomography scans (CT scan), which use x-rays, MRIs do not involve the use of radiation, so they are a safer medical procedure. However, due to the technology involved, MRI scans tend to be expensive procedures.

What are MRIs used for?

MRI scans are typically used to investigate and diagnose conditions that affect soft tissues, such as:

• Tumors, including cancer
• Soft tissue injuries, such as damaged ligaments
• Joint injury/disease
• Spinal injury/disease
• Injury or disease of internal organs

MRIs don’t visualise bone very well, which is why they aren’t typically used as an alternative to x-raying fractures.

What happens during an MRI?

During an MRI, the patient lies on a bed that travels through the MRI scanner – usually a smooth, white tube. The bed may be adjusted several times during the scan.

Once the scan is underway, patients are asked to lie still, and may be asked to hold their breath for a short period of time. They may also experience a vibrating or knocking sound – this is the sound of the machine switching between frequencies. The radio waves created by the scanner stimulate the hydrogen atoms in the human body, and their movement is picked up and interpreted by the machine to produce medical images.

An MRI can take anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour. Once complete, the images are interpreted by a radiologist.

How much does an MRI cost?

The cost of an MRI will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:

The area of the body scanned

An MRI of a single joint will cost less than a larger, more complex region of the body. Looking at listed MRI prices across the country, prices for an MRI of one area, such as a knee or shoulder, start around $1300. Whereas an MRI of the abdomen, head, breasts, prostate or spine costs from around $2500.

The complexity of the scan

Some MRI scans are more complex than others, for example, if a contrasting agent has to be injected into the patient’s body to make the image clearer. This can add $1000+ to the cost of the scan.

The medical centre performing the scan

If you opt for an MRI scan performed at an upmarket, private clinic in an expensive urban setting, you can expect to pay more than if you have your scan at a less prestigious medical facility.

So, you can expect to pay at least $1000 for an MRI of, say, an ankle, up to $3500+ for a more expansive scan. However, exact pricing will vary between diagnostic imaging centres.

Are MRIs covered by ACC?

ACC provides cover for everyone injured in an accident in New Zealand, this includes residents and visitors. So if you need an MRI due to an accident or accidental injury, ACC should cover the bill.

Are MRIs available via publicly funded healthcare?

New Zealand citizens, permanent residents and certain work visa holders are eligible to receive publicly funded health services. So if you require an MRI as part of your publicly funded healthcare, then you don’t have to worry about paying for your treatment.

You can check eligibility for NZ healthcare here.

Does private health insurance cover MRIs?

If you don’t want to wait for an MRI in the public system, you can pay for your treatment. However, as we mention above, the cost is likely to run into thousands of dollars.

However, if you have private health cover, you might be able to claim at least part of the cost of your MRI from your insurance provider. Although it’s worth noting that most health insurance providers’ standard policies only include MRIs if they are related to hospital admission or surgery.

Below, is an overview of the MRI cover offered by major health insurance providers in NZ.

AA Health Insurance

AA Health Insurance has one health insurance plan that offers some cover for MRI scans:

• Private Hospital and Specialist Cover: up to $5000 per year for MRI scans if not related to a hospital admission. However, if the scan is related to hospital admission, it’s covered by the policy’s $200,000 non-surgical benefit limit.

Accuro

Accuro offers two health insurance plans that provide cover for diagnostic imaging, including MRIs:

• SmartCare: Accuro’s lower cost comprehensive health insurance policy. Up to $300,000 per year for major diagnostic procedures.
• SmartCare+: Accuro’s premium policy. Up to $500,000 per year for major diagnostic procedures.

AIA

AIA offers one health insurance policy that provides cover for major diagnostic imaging and tests, which includes MRI scanning:

• Private Health: up to $200,000 per year for diagnostic imaging, including MRI scans. The policy comes with an optional upgrade, Private Health Plus, which delivers an extra $100,000 p.a. for MRI and other diagnostic tests not related to major surgery or prescribed treatments.

ASB

ASB offers two health insurance policies that provide cover for major diagnostic imaging which includes MRIs:

• Private health: covers the significant costs of hospitalisation and surgery. Up to $200,000 per year for major diagnostic imaging.
• Private health plus: ASB’s most comprehensive private health insurance policy. Up to $200,000 per year for major diagnostic imaging, plus an additional $100,000 for imaging and tests not related to treatment or surgery.

nib

nib offers two health insurance plans that cover diagnostic imaging, including MRIs:

• Standard hospital plan: cover for diagnostic investigations before and after a related hospital admission. Cover up to the hospital surgical limit of $300,000.
• Premium hospital plan: nib’s most comprehensive plan, also includes cover up to $5000 for MRI scans not related to a hospital admission.

Partners Life

Partners Life offers one health insurance plan that covers diagnostic imaging, which includes MRIs:

• Private Medical Cover: up to $200,000 per year for diagnostic imaging.

Southern Cross

Southern Cross offers five health insurance plans that provide cover for diagnostic imaging, which includes MRI scanning, related to eligible surgical treatment:

• Kiwicare: up to $8000 p.a.
• RegularCare: up to $8000 p.a.
• Wellbeing One: up to $60,000 p.a.
• Wellbeing: up to $60,000 p.a.
• UltraCare: up to $100,000 p.a.

UniMed

UniMed offers three health insurance plans that provide cover for diagnostic imaging, including MRIs:

• Health Positive: UniMed’s cheapest policy offers partial cover for scans, up to $5000 per year.
• UniCare Advantage: offers 80% cover for scans, to a maximum of $10,000.
• Hospital Select: UniMed’s comprehensive policy offers diagnostics cover to a maximum of $300,000.

Compare Health Insurance with Canstar

About the author of this page

Bruce Pitchers is Canstar NZ’s Content Manager. An experienced finance reporter, he has three decades’ experience as a journalist and has worked for major media companies in Australia, the UK and NZ, including ACP, Are Media, Bauer Media Group, Fairfax, Pacific Magazines, News Corp and TVNZ. As a freelancer, he has worked for The Australian Financial Review, the NZ Financial Markets Authority and major banks and investment companies on both sides of the Tasman.
In his role at Canstar, he has been a regular commentator in the NZ media, including on the Driven, Stuff and One Roof websites, the NZ Herald, Radio NZ, and Newstalk ZB.
Away from Canstar, Bruce creates puzzles for magazines and newspapers, including Woman’s Day and New Idea. He is also the co-author of the murder-mystery book 5 Minute Murder.