Manipal Hospitals does not publish a public MRI price list with specific rupee figures. The price ranges below are benchmarked from market data for NABH-accredited private tertiary hospitals in Bangalore and corroborated against HexaHealth's patient cost experience at Manipal units. Use these as planning estimates — confirm actual pricing with the unit directly or through HexaHealth before booking.

* Price ranges are benchmarked estimates for NABH-accredited tertiary private hospitals in Bangalore and are not published tariffs from Manipal Hospitals. Actual prices at individual Manipal units may differ. Always confirm pricing before booking. Contrast costs are additive to the base scan price.

Not sure what your scan will cost at a specific Manipal unit? Call HexaHealth on 8035240555 — we get you a confirmed price estimate from the relevant Manipal Radiology desk and help you book without navigating hospital phone trees.

The MRI scan cost at Manipal Hospital Bangalore varies not just by the type of scan, but by which of Manipal's eight-plus Bangalore units you choose. Each has a different radiology infrastructure, machine technology, and specialist team. Here is what matters for your MRI decision at each key unit:

HexaHealth tip: If your MRI is being ordered for a neurological condition (headaches, seizures, suspected tumour) or for cancer staging, request the Old Airport Road or Whitefield unit. Their 3 Tesla machine and on-site neuroradiology expertise make a clinically meaningful difference in diagnostic accuracy compared to a standard 1.5T outpatient scan.

An MRI scan is often the turning point — the moment when back pain becomes a confirmed disc herniation needing surgery, or a routine scan reveals a finding that needs a specialist's immediate attention. HexaHealth works across all major Manipal Hospital units to help patients move from a radiology report to the right surgical or procedural care — with full cost transparency, insurance support, and a dedicated Care Buddy who stays with you from consultation to recovery.

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Understanding the breadth of Manipal's radiology capability matters because not every MRI referral is a simple scan. Manipal's Radiology department offers both diagnostic and interventional services, which means the same radiologists who read your MRI may also be the specialists who perform minimally invasive procedures guided by imaging.

Diagnostic Imaging Services

The full diagnostic imaging range at major Manipal units includes MRI (all body parts and protocols), CT (including 128-slice CT at several units), X-ray (digital), ultrasound and colour Doppler, mammography (digitised), ECHO, nuclear medicine scans, and PET-CT at flagship units. Same-day reporting is available for routine studies, with board-certified on-site radiologists covering the full week.

Interventional Radiology (Beyond the Scan)

Manipal's interventional radiology teams work alongside surgical and oncology departments to perform image-guided procedures — including tumour ablation (cryotherapy, microwave), uterine fibroid embolisation (UFE), MRI-guided biopsy, AV fistula management for renal patients, angioplasty and stenting, deep vein thrombosis treatment, and wire localisation for breast biopsies. If your MRI reveals a finding that requires one of these procedures, you are already in the right facility.

Oncology-Integrated Radiology

At Manipal Whitefield, Old Airport Road, EM Bypass Kolkata, and other major units, radiologists work in direct collaboration with oncology teams. Interventional radiology in cancer care includes IRE (irreversible electroporation), pre-operative tumour embolisation, percutaneous interventions, TACE (transarterial chemoembolisation), and TARE (transarterial radioembolisation). This means a cancer-related MRI at these units can transition seamlessly into treatment planning and intervention within the same clinical ecosystem.

1. Get a referral prescription. Manipal Hospital requires a doctor's referral (from your treating physician or specialist) before booking an MRI as an outpatient. This ensures the correct protocol is ordered. If you don't have a referral, you can book a prior OPD consultation at Manipal or via HexaHealth to get one.

2. Choose your unit. Pick the Manipal unit based on proximity, the complexity of your scan, and the surgical team you may need post-report. For complex neurological or cardiac MRI, Old Airport Road or Whitefield are the strongest choices in Bangalore. For Kolkata, EM Bypass is the primary unit for complex studies.

3. Confirm pricing before booking. Call the unit's radiology reception directly or use HexaHealth to get a confirmed cost estimate — specifying the exact body part, whether contrast will be used, and whether you are an inpatient or outpatient. This step prevents bill surprises.

4. Book your appointment slot. Manipal Hospitals offer flexible appointment timings and same-day service for certain studies. You can book through the hospital's central helpline (1800 102 5555) or through the HexaHealth platform.

5. Follow pre-scan preparation instructions. See the preparation section below — especially important if your MRI requires fasting, contrast dye, or if you have metal implants.

6. Collect your reports. Manipal provides a CD of images alongside the radiologist's written report. Most routine MRI reports are available the same day or within 24 hours. Complex studies with specialist interpretation may take longer.

Why Choose Manipal Hospital for an MRI Scan?

An MRI scan is not just about the machine — it is about where the scan is performed, who interprets it, and what happens if the scan finds something important. Manipal Hospitals stands out because its MRI services are integrated into a full tertiary-care hospital system rather than a standalone diagnostic centre.

If your MRI reveals a slipped disc, torn ligament, tumour, stroke, aneurysm, kidney lesion, or any other condition requiring treatment, you do not need to search for another hospital. The relevant specialist, surgeon, and treatment pathway are already available within the same Manipal unit.

What Makes Manipal Different for MRI?

• Advanced MRI Technology: Major Manipal units such as Old Airport Road Bangalore, Whitefield, Dwarka, and EM Bypass Kolkata offer high-end imaging infrastructure including 1.5 Tesla and 3 Tesla MRI machines. The Old Airport Road flagship in Bangalore has a confirmed 3 Tesla MRI, which provides sharper and more detailed images than standard MRI systems.
• Specialist Interpretation, Not Generic Reporting: MRI reports at Manipal are interpreted by radiologists who work directly with specialist departments such as neurology, spine surgery, orthopaedics, oncology, gastroenterology, and cardiology. A brain MRI for seizures or stroke is therefore reviewed in the context of your neurological symptoms — not as a generic radiology report.
• Best for Complex and Contrast MRI Studies: If you need a contrast MRI, MR angiography, cardiac MRI, whole spine MRI, functional MRI (fMRI), MR spectroscopy, or cancer staging MRI, Manipal's flagship units are among the strongest private hospital options in India.
• Same-Day Reporting and Fast Appointments: Routine MRI studies are often reported the same day or within 24 hours. Many Manipal units also provide flexible appointment slots and same-day scans, especially for urgent cases.
• Immediate Access to Treatment if the MRI Finds Something: One of the biggest advantages of getting your MRI done at Manipal is that if the scan identifies a problem, you can immediately move into treatment. This may include:
  • Neurosurgery for a brain tumour or slipped disc
  • Knee arthroscopy or ACL reconstruction after a sports injury MRI
  • Spine surgery for disc prolapse or spinal cord compression
  • Oncology consultation for a suspicious lesion
  • Interventional radiology for biopsy, tumour ablation, or angiography
• Trusted Across Multiple Cities: Manipal Hospitals offers MRI scans across Bangalore, Whitefield, Hebbal, Yeshwanthpur, Kolkata, Delhi NCR, Jaipur, Pune, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and other cities. This means you can often continue your care at another Manipal unit if you relocate or need follow-up elsewhere.

HexaHealth Perspective: Many diagnostic centres can perform an MRI. Very few can immediately connect that MRI result to the right specialist and treatment team. The real advantage of Manipal is not just the MRI machine — it is the entire hospital ecosystem behind it.

Is the MRI Scan at Manipal Hospital Covered by Insurance?

In most cases, yes. MRI scans at Manipal Hospital are commonly covered by health insurance if they are medically necessary and supported by a doctor's prescription.

Because Manipal Hospitals is empanelled with most major insurance companies and TPAs, many patients can get their MRI scan done cashless — especially if the scan is part of a hospital admission or pre-authorised outpatient investigation.

When is an MRI Covered by Insurance?

Health insurance usually covers an MRI if:

• A doctor has prescribed the scan

• The MRI is medically necessary to diagnose or manage a condition

• The policy includes outpatient diagnostics or the MRI is linked to a hospitalisation

• The specific Manipal unit is part of your insurer's network

MRI scans ordered for conditions such as back pain, suspected stroke, seizures, sports injuries, tumour evaluation, abdominal pain, spinal disc disease, or pre-surgical planning are commonly covered.

Cashless vs Reimbursement for MRI at Manipal

Cashless MRI

You may be able to get the MRI done without paying upfront if:

• Your insurance company has Manipal Hospital in its network

• Your policy covers the scan

• You obtain pre-authorisation from the insurer or TPA

In a cashless case, the hospital bills the insurer directly. This is more common when the MRI is part of an inpatient admission.

Reimbursement MRI

For standalone outpatient MRI scans, many insurers ask patients to pay first and later submit:

• MRI bill and payment receipt

• Doctor's prescription

• MRI report

• Claim form and policy documents

The insurer then reimburses the approved amount.

Major Insurance Companies Commonly Accepted at Manipal Hospitals

Manipal Hospitals generally accepts cashless or reimbursement claims from insurers such as:

• HDFC ERGO

• ICICI Lombard

• Star Health

• Niva Bupa

• Care Health

• Tata AIG

• Bajaj Allianz

• Aditya Birla Health Insurance

• Reliance General Insurance

• SBI General Insurance

• New India Assurance

• United India Insurance

• National Insurance

• Medi Assist and other TPA-based corporate policies

• Disclose all metal implants before booking. Pacemakers, cochlear implants, certain surgical clips, and some orthopaedic hardware are MRI-incompatible. Inform the radiology team at registration — not on the day of the scan. This determines whether you can have an MRI at all, and at which machine strength.

• Remove all metal objects before entering the scan room. Jewellery, hairpins, hearing aids, eyeglasses, and piercings must be removed. Lockers are available at the unit.

• Fasting requirements depend on the body part. Abdominal and pelvic MRI typically require 4–6 hours of fasting before the scan. Brain, spine, and joint MRI do not generally require fasting. Confirm with the radiology team when you book.

• If contrast dye is being used, expect an IV line. Gadolinium contrast is injected intravenously during the scan. Inform the team if you have kidney disease (eGFR should be checked before contrast), if you are pregnant, or if you have had a prior reaction to contrast agents.

• Wear loose, comfortable, metal-free clothing. You will be offered a hospital gown to change into. Avoid clothing with metal zippers, underwire bras, or metallic thread.

• If you are claustrophobic, tell the team in advance. The MRI tunnel is narrow and the scan can last 30–60 minutes. Manipal's radiology team can arrange mild sedation for anxious patients — but this requires prior discussion and sometimes a separate consent process.

• Stay completely still during the scan. Movement blurs MRI images, which can invalidate the study and require a repeat scan. You will be asked to hold your breath for short periods during certain sequences.

• Bring your referral letter and any previous imaging reports. The radiologist reviewing your scan needs clinical context — especially for follow-up scans of known tumours, post-surgical changes, or chronic conditions.

An MRI scan is frequently the diagnostic step that precedes surgery or a procedure. At Manipal Hospitals, this transition from radiology to operating theatre — happens within the same clinical ecosystem. Here are the most common MRI findings that HexaHealth sees leading to surgical treatment at Manipal units:

Disclaimer: MRI scan prices mentioned in this article are market benchmarks for NABH-accredited private tertiary hospitals in Bangalore and are not published tariffs from Manipal Hospitals. Actual prices at individual Manipal Hospital units may differ significantly based on unit, protocol, contrast requirement, and patient category (inpatient/outpatient). HexaHealth strongly recommends confirming current pricing with the specific unit before booking. This content is published for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.