| 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 |
| NHS trust private patient tariff (Dorset County Hospital NHS FT, private patients) | £577.50 one part, excludes consultant fee; contrast £52.50 (tariff 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027) | Not stated in the tariff | Not stated in the tariff | dchft.nhs.uk | 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: the body area. 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.
How does an insured MRI usually work?
This page explains the general steps. It does not compare insurers or policies; your policy wording is what counts.
- You see a GP, often your NHS GP or a GP service your insurer provides, who decides a specialist opinion or scan is needed and refers you.
- You call your insurer with the referral. If the condition is covered, the insurer gives you an authorisation or pre-authorisation number.
- The insurer may direct you to a specific hospital or scanning centre on its list, or give you a choice.
- You have the scan. The centre bills the insurer directly, less any excess you have to pay.
Many policies cover diagnostic scans only as part of an outpatient limit, which may also have to cover consultant appointments. Some policies exclude conditions you had before taking out the policy.
When might self-pay make more sense than insurance?
- Your excess is close to, or more than, the self-pay price. Self-pay single-area scans started from £249 on 5 October 2026.
- Your outpatient limit is small and you want to keep it for consultant appointments.
- The condition is excluded, or you are not sure it is covered and do not want to wait to find out.
- You want a centre that is not on your insurer's list.
Ask your insurer whether self-paying for a scan affects a later claim for treatment. Some insurers want to be involved from the start.
When is insurance the better route?
- The scan is likely to lead to consultant care or surgery, and your policy covers that.
- You need a specialised or contrast scan, which costs more.
- Your excess is low and the condition is covered.
Can I switch from self-pay to insured, or the other way?
Sometimes. If you self-pay for a scan and then claim for treatment, the insurer may accept the scan, or may ask for its own. If you start with your insurer and find the condition is not covered, you can self-pay instead. Keep a copy of the report and the images, whichever route you take.
What should I tell a centre when I ask for a scan?
Say whether you are self-paying, insured or not sure. If insured, give the insurer's name and your authorisation number when you have it. Our form asks the same question so that a centre that contacts you knows which route you want. A centre cannot authorise a claim for you; only your insurer can.
Do I need a GP referral to use health insurance for an MRI?
Most insurers want a GP referral and an authorisation number before the scan. Check your policy and call your insurer.
Is self-pay cheaper than using my insurance excess?
Sometimes. Self-pay single-area scans started from £249 on 5 October 2026. Compare that with your excess and outpatient limit.
Do you compare health insurers?
No. This page explains how the routes work in general. Your insurer and policy wording decide what is covered.
Want one centre to call you? Request a private MRI. Free for you; the centre may pay us.