| Centre type | From-price | Referral rule | Report time | Source | Date checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dedicated scanning centre group (Vista Health) | £249 off-peak; £360 standard; £380 fast track (within 7 days) | Self-referral accepted (18+) | Written report within 3 working days | vista-health.co.uk | 5 October 2026 |
| Hospital group (50+ hospitals) (Circle Health Group) | From £347; varies by hospital, quote may be higher | Priced on the scans requested by the professional who referred you | Same day in some cases; otherwise within one week | circlehealthgroup.co.uk | 5 October 2026 |
| Hospital group diagnostic suite (Nuffield Health Manchester Diagnostic Suite) | £400 one part; £538 two parts; £658 three parts (guide prices) | Referral from a registered healthcare professional needed | Results within a few days | nuffieldhealth.com | 5 October 2026 |
| Hospital group hospital (Nuffield Health Cambridge Hospital) | £620 one part (guide price) | Referral from a healthcare professional needed | Results to your referrer within a week | nuffieldhealth.com | 5 October 2026 |
| Specialist orthopaedic clinic (Fortius Clinic Wimbledon) | £735 one part (guide price, excludes consultant fees) | Referral letter may be needed; physio referral may be accepted | Not stated on the price page | fortiusclinic.com | 5 October 2026 |
| Online booking service (150+ partner centres) (Scan.com) | From £305, including a referral written by its medical team | No GP letter needed; its clinicians compile the referral | Estimated 7 to 10 working days | uk.scan.com | 5 October 2026 |
- Price is per single body area. Contrast, if needed, is £125 extra.
Prices are the centres' own published figures, checked by Pete on 5 October 2026. A centre may change a price at any time; the centre's quote is what counts. We delete a row we cannot re-check. Listing a centre here does not mean it is a partner of ours. Full list on Sources.
What we can and cannot do
We are not a clinic and not the NHS. We do not scan, diagnose, refer or book a confirmed slot. We cannot tell you whether you need an MRI. If you have new weakness, numbness in the saddle area, loss of bladder or bowel control, sudden severe headache, chest pain or any symptom that frightens you, call 999 or NHS 111, or see your GP, today.
What we can do: explain the price, the referral rule and the centre types in plain English, and, if you ask, pass your request to one independent scanning centre that covers your area so it can contact you. That is free for you. The centre may pay us a fee.
Four steps to a private MRI
- Body area. Name the one area to be scanned: elbow. Two areas usually cost more than one.
- Referral rule. Check whether the centre takes self-referral or wants a letter from a GP, physio or consultant. See self-referral and GP letter.
- Centre type. Dedicated scanning centre, hospital group, or open MRI. Compare the from-price, the referral rule and the report time.
- Ask one centre to contact you. Use the form. One partner centre may call or email you. Nothing is booked until you agree a time and price with them.
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What does an elbow MRI show?
An elbow MRI shows the tendons that attach at the inner and outer elbow (the areas involved in tennis and golfer's elbow), the ligaments that keep the joint stable, the biceps and triceps tendons, the cartilage, and the bone. It is used after an injury that leaves the elbow unstable or weak, for a suspected biceps tendon tear, for loose bodies that make the joint lock, and for pain that has not settled with treatment.
Tennis elbow and golfer's elbow are usually diagnosed by examination. A scan is more often used when symptoms are unusual, when an injection or surgery is being considered, or after a fall or a heavy lift.
Can I refer myself for a private elbow MRI?
Some dedicated centres accept self-referral. Vista Health's elbow page says scans start from £249 and offers self-referral for adults after a questionnaire. Hospital groups usually ask for a referral from a GP, consultant or registered physiotherapist. A suspected biceps tendon rupture is time-sensitive for some treatments, so speak to a GP or minor injuries unit promptly rather than waiting to self-book. See self-referral.
How much does a private elbow MRI cost?
On 5 October 2026, Vista Health listed £249 off-peak, £360 standard and £380 fast track for a single area. Hospital guide prices for one part were £400 to £620 at the Nuffield Health sites we checked. Fortius Clinic Wimbledon listed £735 before consultant fees.
What happens during an elbow MRI?
Elbow scans can be awkward. Depending on the scanner, you either lie on your back with the arm by your side, or lie face down with the arm stretched above your head. Ask the centre which position it uses if your shoulder is also stiff. Expect 20 to 40 minutes. The arm must stay still, so tell the radiographer if you are uncomfortable before the scan starts.
What should I ask before booking?
- Which position will I be scanned in?
- Self-referral or a letter?
- Report time, and who receives the report?
- Can I download the images for a physio or surgeon?
Is an elbow MRI the right next step?
For most gradual elbow pain, a physiotherapist's examination and a period of rehabilitation come first. Ultrasound is also widely used for elbow tendons and can be done at the same visit as an injection. MRI helps most when a ligament or deep joint problem is suspected, or when a surgeon wants detail before an operation.
Can I get a private elbow MRI without a GP?
Yes, at some dedicated centres that accept self-referral. Hospital groups usually want a referral from a GP, consultant or physiotherapist.
How much is a private elbow MRI?
On 5 October 2026, from £249 off-peak at a dedicated centre, and £400 to £620 for one part at the hospital sites we checked.
How long does an elbow MRI take?
Usually 20 to 40 minutes. You may lie face down with your arm above your head, depending on the scanner.
Want one centre to call you? Request a private MRI. Free for you; the centre may pay us.