Kochi: government and private prices for a plain (non-contrast) MRI of one region, such as the brain, with the source and last-checked date for every figure.
Rs 2,500 to Rs 8,000
Rs 1,800 to Rs 4,600 at General Hospital Ernakulam / Govt Medical College Ernakulam (estimate)
3 October 2026
MRI Scan price in Kochi: government vs private
Prices are for a plain (non-contrast) MRI of one region, such as the brain. Government hospitals charge less but usually have waiting lists. Where a hospital does not publish its rate we say so, and any estimate is labelled.
| Where | Price | What it includes | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Hospital Ernakulam / Govt Medical College Ernakulam Subsidised, longer wait Neither publishes an MRI rate online. The estimate spans MRI rates published by other government hospitals. Basis: General Hospital Ernakulam / Govt Medical College Ernakulam publishes no rate online. Range = lowest to highest published charge for this test at 13 government rate lists we checked: AIIMS Nagpur; AIIMS New Delhi; Aatmajyoti MRI Centre, New Civil Hospital Campus; Diphu Medical College & Hospital; Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences; Gauhati Medical College & Hospital; Government Medical College & Hospital; KEM Hospital & BYL Nair Hospital; King George's Medical University; Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences; TNMSC 1.5T MRI centres. |
Rs 1,800 to Rs 4,600 | Range of published government charges elsewhere; consumables and implants may be extra | Estimate WhatsTheCost estimate |
| Private hospitals and diagnostic centres in Kochi (typical) Our estimate; not a quote from any hospital. Basis: Previous modelled range kept: internally consistent; no published private price found for this test in Kochi to check it against. |
Rs 2,500 to Rs 8,000 | Base procedure; items listed under "what a quote leaves out" are extra | Estimate WhatsTheCost estimate |
| CGHS rate: Tier II city, NABH hospital Reference rate MRI head/brain without contrast. Rate CGHS pays empanelled private hospitals, not a cash price. |
Rs 2,475 | Investigation rate; uniform irrespective of ward entitlement. Plain study (no contrast). | Published tariff CGHS rate list (OM dated 03.10.2025), cghs.mohfw.gov.in |
MRI Scan cost in Kochi by type
Our estimates by type of MRI scan in Kochi. These are modelled ranges, not quotes.
| Type | Private price in Kochi | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Brain MRI (without contrast) | Rs 2,500 to Rs 8,000 | Estimate |
| Brain MRI (with contrast) | Rs 4,000 to Rs 12,000 | Estimate |
| Spine MRI (per region: cervical/thoracic/lumbar) | Rs 3,000 to Rs 10,000 | Estimate |
| Knee MRI | Rs 2,500 to Rs 8,000 | Estimate |
| Abdomen/Pelvis MRI | Rs 4,000 to Rs 12,000 | Estimate |
| Cardiac MRI | Rs 8,000 to Rs 20,000 | Estimate |
| Full Body MRI | Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000 | Estimate |
| MRI with Spectroscopy | Rs 6,000 to Rs 15,000 | Estimate |
What an MRI scan quote often leaves out
- Contrast (gadolinium) if the doctor asks for a contrast study
- Each additional body region, which is usually billed as a separate scan
- Sedation or anaesthesia support for claustrophobic patients or children
- Films or a CD of the images (the digital report is often free)
- A separate radiologist reporting fee at some hospitals
Ask for an itemised, all-inclusive quote in writing before the procedure.
Where MRI scan is done in Kochi
Private hospitals and centres in Kochi include Aster Medcity, Lakeshore Hospital, Amrita Hospital (AIMS), Medical Trust Hospital and Ernakulam Medical Centre. We list them so you know where to ask. We have not found published prices from them unless they appear in the table above, and we do not rank or recommend any of them.
Prices & sources
Last checked: 3 October 2026. We re-check published tariffs at least every six months and correct errors when they are reported. See how we research prices and our data sources.
- WhatsTheCost estimate · Estimate · checked 3 October 2026
- CGHS rate list (OM dated 03.10.2025), cghs.mohfw.gov.in · Published tariff, document dated 2025-10-03 · checked 3 October 2026
Frequently asked questions: MRI Scan cost in Kochi
How much does an MRI scan cost in Kochi in 2026?
For a plain (non-contrast) MRI of one region, such as the brain, private hospitals and centres in Kochi charge about Rs 2,500 to Rs 8,000 (our estimate). Government option: General Hospital Ernakulam / Govt Medical College Ernakulam, Rs 1,800 to Rs 4,600 (estimate). The type of study and add-ons such as contrast, sedation, implants or biopsy change the final bill.
Where is an MRI scan cheapest in Kochi?
None of the facilities in the table publishes its price for this online, so we cannot name the cheapest. Government hospitals elsewhere publish rates of Rs 1,800 to Rs 4,600 for this, well below our private estimate of Rs 2,500 to Rs 8,000. Ask the government hospital for its rate and waiting time, and get written quotes from two or three private centres.
What does an MRI scan cost at General Hospital Ernakulam / Govt Medical College Ernakulam?
General Hospital Ernakulam / Govt Medical College Ernakulam does not publish this rate online. Neither publishes an MRI rate online. The estimate spans MRI rates published by other government hospitals. Call the hospital’s billing or radiology desk to confirm the current charge and waiting time.
Is a 3 Tesla MRI better than 1.5 Tesla?
A 3T machine gives higher-resolution images and is usually priced higher. Whether it matters depends on the body part and the clinical question, so ask the doctor who ordered the scan whether 1.5T is acceptable.
Why do MRI prices differ so much between centres?
Most of the gap comes from the type of scan (region, contrast, number of regions), the machine (1.5T or 3T) and whether the centre is a hospital department or a standalone diagnostic centre. Compare quotes for exactly the same study.
Does insurance or Ayushman Bharat cover it?
Health insurance usually pays when the procedure is part of a hospital admission or an approved day-care claim; purely outpatient tests depend on your policy’s OPD cover. Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY covers listed packages at empanelled hospitals for eligible families, and diagnostic scans are generally paid as part of an admitted package rather than as standalone outpatient tests. Ask the hospital’s insurance or scheme desk before the procedure, not at billing.
Disclaimer: This page explains prices for general information and education. It is not medical advice and does not recommend any hospital, centre or doctor. Figures marked Estimate are our modelled ranges, not quotes. Published tariffs can change without notice, and the final bill depends on your case. Confirm the current price with the facility and ask a qualified doctor which test or treatment you need.