Questions & answers · Health insurance
Does Medicare pay for an MRI, CT scan or X-ray?
Health insuranceWho paysChecked Nov 6, 2026
From K.Actuary, founded by Sangmin Kwon, ASA · sources checked 2026-11-06 · Source: Medicare.gov View original ↗
In short
- Medicare Part B pays for MRI, CT, and X-ray tests your doctor orders.
- After the deductible, you pay 20% of the approved amount.
- Ask before the test what it costs and if the place is accredited.
What this means
Medicare.gov says Part B covers tests like CT scans, MRIs, EKGs, X-rays and PET scans. Your provider must order them to find or treat a medical problem [1].
After the Part B deductible, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount. This is for a test in a doctor's office or an independent diagnostic testing facility [1]. At a hospital as an outpatient, you also pay the hospital a copayment. It may be more than 20%. In most cases it can't be more than the Part A hospital stay deductible [1].
For advanced imaging (CT, MRI, nuclear medicine or PET) outside a hospital, check that the provider is accredited. Medicare only pays if it is. If Medicare doesn't pay for that reason, the provider can't bill you for the test [1].
Your next step
Before a CT or MRI outside a hospital, ask the provider whether it is accredited [1]. The sources give no deadline.
Check it yourself
Open Medicare.gov, Diagnostic non-laboratory tests, at https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/diagnostic-non-laboratory-tests and read the part quoted above. Your own plan or policy papers hold details these sources do not give: "Don't know yet" for your case.
Where this comes from (1)
[1] Medicare.gov · checked 2026-11-06
Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers diagnostic non-laboratory tests. Covered by Part B After the Part B deductible , you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount (other costs may apply) Description Coverage details Costs Description Diagnostic non-laboratory tests (like CT scans, MRIs, EKGs or ECGs, X-rays , and PET scans) help your doctor or other health care provider find or rule out an illness or condition. …
How we found this
We matched your question to 1 official source, quoted the exact lines, and re-checked each quote against its source on 2026-11-06.
What we don’t know yet
Your own plan or notice may say something different. If your letter cites another rule, send it and we will look again.
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Information only — not legal advice. Your plan, insurer or agency decides.
This answer quotes the official sources listed above, with the date we checked them. Your own policy, notice and state rules control. We are not your lawyer or your insurer. We don’t file, argue or negotiate claims for you — you send any letter or form yourself.
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