MRI and CT Scan Cost in Taiwan: Single-Region Prices for the Brain, Spine and Knee

A single-region MRI or CT is the scan most people actually need: one knee, one part of the spine, the head, the abdomen. In Taiwan, New Dawn Health books these as standalone scans at hospitals in Taipei and New Taipei. A single-region MRI is $310 without contrast and $550 with contrast, and a single-region CT, done without contrast, is $210. You receive a written English report to take home to your own doctor.

This article covers one-area scans only. If you are weighing a scan of the whole body instead, read why many Americans now fly to Taiwan for a full-body MRI.

How much does an MRI or CT scan cost in Taiwan?

These are our current prices, read from our own catalog. A Single Region CT Scan without contrast is $210, and the visit takes about 10–15 minutes. Book the CT scan here.

Our MRI options:

These scans are performed at Central Clinic & Hospital Healthcare Center in Da’an District, Taipei. The non-contrast MRI is also available at Pan Chiao Chung Hsing Hospital (PCCH) in Tucheng District, New Taipei, for the same price: book the MRI at PCCH. At Central, the English report for the non-contrast MRI, the CT and the breast MRI is ready in 7–10 business days; PCCH states 14 business days, sent by email, with a CD of your images handed over on the day. Your coordinator confirms report timing for the contrast MRI and the whole-spine MRI when you book. To compare these with multi-test screening days, see all health screening packages and single scans.

Which body regions count as a single region?

One region means one area of the body scanned in one session. Common choices are:

• Head (brain).
• One section of the spine: the neck (cervical), mid-back (thoracic) or lower back (lumbar).
• One joint or limb, such as a knee, shoulder, hip or ankle.
• The abdomen or the pelvis.
• The chest, which is usually a CT rather than an MRI.

Two areas need two scans. The exception is the spine: the Whole Spine MRI covers the neck, mid-back and lower back in one booking for $699, with an appointment of about 1 hour. Book the whole-spine MRI. Your coordinator confirms that the region you name fits one scan when you book.

What does the same scan cost in the US?

US prices for one scan vary by facility, payer and state, so no single figure is the price. One public benchmark is Medicare’s own claims data. The table shows the average amount US providers submitted per scan in office and other non-facility settings in 2024.

A submitted charge is the provider’s list price, not what everyone pays. Medicare and private insurers pay their own negotiated amounts, which are usually lower. A whole-spine MRI in the US is billed as three separate codes, one per section, each with an average submitted charge above $1,200.

Breast imaging follows the same pattern. A breast MRI of both breasts (CPT 77049) had an average submitted charge of $1,668 in the same 2024 data. Our Breast MRI (w/ Contrast) is $550, with an appointment of about 1.5 hours. Book the breast MRI.

If you are uninsured or paying yourself, US federal rules let you ask for a good faith estimate before the scan. It is worth asking for one before comparing options.

Should you choose an MRI with or without contrast?

Contrast is a drug injected into a vein so certain tissues show up more clearly. MRI uses gadolinium-based contrast, and CT uses iodine-based contrast. The scan you need depends on the question your doctor is asking.

RadiologyInfo, run by two US radiology societies, says contrast may be withheld from some people with severe kidney disease. For our contrast breast MRI, the clinic draws blood on site for a creatinine test if you have no result from the last 3 months. If a US doctor has already ordered your scan, the order usually says whether contrast is needed. Our explainer on contrast dye in MRI and CT covers the safety data in full.

Is an MRI or a CT the right scan?

The two machines answer different questions.

For a sore knee, a disc problem or nerve symptoms, MRI is the usual choice. For a lung question or a suspected fracture, CT is often the faster answer. If you want to understand what CT radiation means in numbers, read our guide to CT radiation dose. For a head scan specifically, our brain MRI cost guide goes deeper.

How do you book a single-region scan in Taiwan?

1. Pick the scan. Choose MRI (with or without contrast) or CT (non-contrast) from the options above.
2. Book online. Use the booking link for that scan and choose your preferred dates.
3. Email us the details. After booking, tell us which body region you need scanned and the symptom or issue behind it. Attach any earlier reports or images if you have them.
4. Answer the safety questions. Tell us about pacemakers, implants, surgical clips, dental implants or braces before the visit.
5. Prepare on the day. Central asks for a 4-hour fast before a non-contrast MRI and 6 hours before a contrast MRI; PCCH asks for 6 hours. Remove all metal, jewelry and electronics.
6. Have the scan. MRI takes about 1 to 1.5 hours in total; a CT visit takes about 10–15 minutes.
7. Receive the English report. For most single scans it arrives in 7–10 business days, ready to share with your own doctor.

Your coordinator confirms the protocol, preparation and visit time when you book.

Who is a single-region scan right for?

A single-region scan answers a specific question about one area. It suits people with a known symptom, such as knee pain after an injury, sciatica, or recurring headaches. It also suits people who need a follow-up image of something already found.

It is not a general check-up. A normal knee MRI says nothing about your heart, lungs or abdomen. The scan is most useful when a doctor will read the report alongside your history. Bring the English report to your own physician, specialist or physical therapist.

Sources

• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services — Medicare Physician & Other Practitioners, by Geography and Service (2024 data year; national average submitted charge, non-facility place of service, CPT 70551, 70553, 72141, 72146, 72148, 73721, 77049, 70450, 71250, 74176) (accessed 2026-10-16)
• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services — No Surprises: Understand your rights against surprise medical bills (accessed 2026-10-16)
• RadiologyInfo.org (RSNA and ACR) — Patient Safety: Contrast Material (accessed 2026-10-16)
• RadiologyInfo.org (RSNA and ACR) — Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the Body (accessed 2026-10-16)