Why are MRI wait times so long?

MRIs and CT scans are used to diagnose serious health problems, including cancer, stroke and multiple sclerosis. According to Schuster, the wait times started increasing after surge funding — brought in by the former NDP government and designed to address the problem — disappeared.

How many MRI machines does Canada have?

366 machines
MRI is the second most common modality, with 366 machines in Canada — up from 222 machines in 2007. There are 330 SPECT machines, 261 SPECT-CT machines, 51 PET-CT machines, and 3 PET-MRI machines. The number of most imaging modalities is growing.

What is the fastest way to get an MRI in Ontario?

Fast Track MRI and Diagnostics | Serving Ontario | 1-800-265-1359. Fast Track MRI can arrange an MRI at a renowned hospital in Toronto or Hamilton or other city in Ontario within 3 days if one of the following criteria are met: An auto insurer will fund the cost of the test. A disability insurer will fund the test.

Is it hard to get an MRI in Canada?

As difficult as it is to get an MRI appointment, the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) estimates most Canadians will have at least one MRI or other medical imaging scan at some point in their life. And with MRI wait-lists that are 12-18 months long, it’s hard to suggest otherwise.

What is the cost of a MRI in Canada?

1.5 Tesla MRI

Are MRI free in Canada?

In Canada, our health care is paid for through taxes and funded by the government, yet not all services are covered and imaging in some provinces – like MRI scans – can be public or private.

What does an MRI cost in Canada?

Can I get a private MRI in Ontario Canada?

Ontario flat out bans it. While it is not banned in Manitoba, PEI and Newfoundland, there are currently no private clinics available in any of those provinces. As of now, the only provinces that offer a private clinic are B.C., Saskatchewan, Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

Can I pay for my own MRI in Ontario?

In Ontario, private MRIs aren’t allowed except as a third-party service — such as an employer paying through private insurance. The report’s data shows only 40\% of Ontario patients are scanned within target times recommended by health care specialists.

How much does an MRI scan cost in Canada?

How much does an open MRI machine cost?

Used low-field MRI machines can be as cheap as $150,000 or as expensive as $1.2 million. For a state-of-the-art 3 Tesla MRI machine, the price tag to buy one new can reach $3 million. The room that houses the machine, called an MRI suite, can cost hundreds of thousands more.