MRI Wait Times Too Long? Explore Your Options

Summary

Access to private MRI scans varies significantly across Canada, with some provinces allowing direct payment and others restricting services to the public system. This guide breaks down the rules, costs, and referral requirements province by province, helping Canadians understand where private imaging is available and what alternatives exist—whether travelling out of province, using third-party coverage, or considering U.S. clinics. Knowing your options can help you get faster diagnostic answers when wait times are long.

For Canadians, the average wait time for an MRI is approximately 16.2 weeks which is more than three weeks longer than they waited in 2023. In fact, wait times vary significantly by province, with some patients waiting as little as a few weeks and others facing waits of over a year, especially for non-urgent cases. 

Factors contributing to long wait times include a shortage of machines per capita compared to other countries and a lack of skilled personnel. As a result, more people are exploring private-pay options to get faster access to imaging.

But the rules around private MRIs vary dramatically across Canada. In some provinces, paying out-of-pocket is fully permitted. In others, it is prohibited. Some provinces allow private scans only under special conditions. And in a handful of locations, Canadians are travelling across provincial or international borders to get the imaging they need.

At The Health Insider we do the legwork for you to break down where private MRIs are available, what they cost, whether you’ll need a referral, and the key regulations you should know—province by province.

Why Private MRIs Exist in Canada

Although MRIs are considered medically necessary tests under the Canada Health Act, provinces have taken different approaches to how private clinics fit into their systems.

Private clinics typically offer:

• Faster appointments (often within days)
• Direct payment options
• Advanced scans such as whole-body screening or specialized imaging
• Shorter wait times for results

However:

• Most provinces still require a referral from a doctor or nurse practitioner
• Provincial insurance does not reimburse private fees
• Costs can range from $450 to over $2,000 depending on location and scan type
• Some provinces face federal penalties for allowing private-pay medically necessary scans

Province-by-Province Breakdown: Can You Pay for an MRI?

Below is a detailed summary of the rules, options, and limitations across Canada.

Ontario

Ontario does not allow residents to pay out-of-pocket for medically necessary MRIs. All medically necessary scans must go through OHIP.

When private payment is permitted:

• Third-party payers (WSIB, employer insurance, auto insurance)
• Non-insured services such as whole-body screening, prostate screening MRIs, or other “wellness” imaging
• Non-OHIP patients (non-residents or those without coverage)

Popular workaround:

Many Ontarians travel to:

• Buffalo, NY – private MRI clinics catering to Canadians (from ~$700 USD)
• Other provinces with private-pay MRI options (from ~$500CDN). OHIP covers medically necessary MRI scans performed in another Canadian province at the same rate as in Ontario’s public system but generally will not reimburse the full cost of an MRI at a private facility. 

Prince Edward Island (PEI)

PEI allows private MRIs at the Summerside clinic with a referral.

• Cost: ~$1,000–$2,000
• Referral required
• No reimbursement available
• Public system includes one MRI scanner in Charlottetown
• Health PEI sends some publicly referred patients to Moncton at no cost to patients

New Brunswick

Private MRIs are permitted and widely used.

• Cost: Typically ~$900–$1,500
• Referral required
• Not covered by NB Medicare
• Eligible for the Medical Expense Tax Credit
• NB has been penalized by the federal government for allowing private fees on medically necessary services

Nova Scotia

Private MRIs are available in Halifax (Healthview Imaging, Why Wait Imaging).

• Direct payment allowed
• Referral required
• Fast access (often within days)
• The province has received federal transfer deductions for private-pay medically necessary MRIs

Newfoundland & Labrador

No private MRI facilities exist.

• All MRIs are public only
• Wait times can exceed 400 days in some zones
• Residents often travel to other provinces or the U.S. for private imaging

Quebec

Quebec has the largest private imaging sector in Canada.

• Direct payment is allowed; however a referral is required
• Costs: $450–$1,500+
• Private insurance often reimburses
• Dozens of private MRI clinics operate province-wide (Medvue, Imagix, VM Med, Radiologie Varad, etc.)

Manitoba

No private-pay MRI clinics operate in the province.

Manitobans seeking faster scans may:

• Use the public system (often long waits)
• Travel to Saskatchewan, Alberta, BC, Ontario, Quebec
• Travel to the U.S. (North Dakota is common)

Typical out-of-province cost: $900+

Saskatchewan

Private MRIs are permitted under the MRI Facilities Licensing Act.

Key feature: Two-for-one rule. For every private scan, clinics must provide a second, publicly funded MRI to a patient on the public waitlist.

• Referral required
• Costs vary by clinic
• Licensed facilities include:
  • Mayfair Diagnostics (Regina, Saskatoon)
  • Open Skies Diagnostics (Regina)

Alberta

Private-pay MRIs are widely available.

• Cost: ~$600–$850+ for initial scan
• Referral required
• Fast access
• Insurance or Health Spending Accounts may reimburse
• Major providers include Insight Medical Imaging, EFW Radiology, Mayfair Diagnostics, CAMIS

Alberta is considering broadening private-pay diagnostic options in future legislation.

British Columbia

BC has many private MRI clinics.

Examples:

• Access MRI (Surrey)
• Priority Diagnostics (Richmond; from ~$750)
• Nanaimo MRI
• Canada Diagnostic (Vancouver)
• Image One MRI (Kelowna)
• InForm Imaging (Vancouver; no referral needed for extremity MRIs)

Key notes:

• Most clinics still require referrals
• Fully private clinics that do not bill MSP can legally charge patients
• Clinics that bill MSP for other services cannot charge for medically necessary MRIs

Private MRI Access in Canada: Comparison Table

Province	Private MRI Allowed?	Referral Required?	Typical Cost	Notes
Ontario	❌ Not for medically necessary scans (except 3rd-party payers); ✔ for screening	Usually yes	Screening MRIs vary; U.S. options from $700 USD	Many travel to Buffalo or other provinces
PEI	✔ Yes	✔ Yes	$1,000–$2,000	Private clinic in Summerside; no reimbursement
New Brunswick	✔ Yes	✔ Yes	~$900–$1,500	Eligible for Medical Expense Tax Credit; federal penalties issued
Nova Scotia	✔ Yes	✔ Yes	~$900–$1,500	Halifax clinics available; federal transfer deductions
Newfoundland & Labrador	❌ No	n/a	n/a	Residents travel to NS, NB, U.S.
Quebec	✔ Yes	✔ Yes	$450–$1,500+	Largest private imaging sector; insurance often covers
Manitoba	❌ No	n/a	n/a	Residents travel out-of-province or to U.S.
Saskatchewan	✔ Yes	✔ Yes	~$900+	“Two-for-one” public MRI rule
Alberta	✔ Yes	✔ Yes	$600–$850+	Providers widely available
British Columbia	✔ Yes	Mostly yes (InForm Imaging exempt)	~$750–$1,500+	Many fully private clinics

Options in the US

For residents of Ontario, Manitoba and Newfoundland & Labrador, sometimes the best option is to head to the United States for faster imaging.

Notable Clinics Operating in the Buffalo Area:

• Canmax Medical Imaging: This is a Canadian-owned company with multiple locations in Western New York, some as close as 10 minutes from the Niagara border. They offer quick appointments, often within 48 hours, and transparent pricing for Canadians.
• Proscan Imaging Buffalo: This clinic features a Canadian doctor on staff and is described as the “only MRI Clinic in WNY trusted by Canadian Doctors”. They offer advanced 3T MRI systems and direct consultation with a physician.
• Windsong Radiology: Windsong welcomes Canadian patients and has multiple locations in the Buffalo and Niagara Falls area. They offer self-pay options and aim to provide expedited care with quick scheduling.
• Great Lakes Medical Imaging: Another US-based option, this company offers same-day or next-day appointments and ensures reports are delivered to your physician quickly, sometimes within 4 hours for STAT reports. 

Notable clinics in North Dakota, for Manitobans seeking to go south of the border for imaging include:

• Grand Forks Clinic: Located less than three hours from Winnipeg, this clinic offers a wide range of imaging services, including MRI, CT, ultrasound, and mammograms. They offer competitive cash-pay pricing and appointments often within 48 hours. Radiology reports are typically emailed within 24 hours, and patients can receive a digital copy of their scans to take back to their Canadian healthcare provider.
• Unity Medical Center Situated in Grafton, ND (about two hours from Winnipeg), Unity Medical Center actively targets Canadian patients with billboards and specific web pages. They offer MRI, CT scans, and 2D/3D ultrasound services. Appointment wait times are often within one or two weeks. Prices for an MRI start at slightly over $2,000 USD.
• Mobile Life Imaging Based in Fargo, ND, this company provides access to MRI and CT scans with wait times generally two weeks or less. A doctor’s referral is not required for a scan, and reports are available within 24-72 hours. They aim to provide affordable rates for Canadians who want to avoid long provincial wait times. Call for more information.

These clinics are located near the border to make them easily accessible for a same-day trip, and many provide information on the process for Canadian patients, including information on pricing and travel logistics.

Note that services at these private US clinics are not covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). 

Navigating MRI wait times in Canada can feel frustrating, but knowing your options—public, private, or out-of-province—gives you more control. The more informed you are, the easier it becomes to advocate for yourself and get the answers you need sooner.

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