MRI Wait Times in Austria: Private vs. Public Insurance Compared

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MRI Wait Times: A Growing Problem

The wait time for an MRI appointment with public insurance in Austria can be frustratingly long. While private patients often get appointments within days, public insurance patients sometimes wait months. An overview of the situation.

Current Wait Times Comparison

MRI Wait Times: ÖGK vs. Private

MRI Region	Public Institute	Private Institute	Time Saved
Knee/Ankle	8-14 weeks	1-5 days	95%+
Spine/Back	6-12 weeks	1-3 days	95%+
Head/Brain	4-8 weeks	1-3 days	90%+
Shoulder	10-16 weeks	2-5 days	95%+
Abdomen	3-6 weeks	1-3 days	90%+

Note: Wait times vary by region, institute, and medical urgency. In Vienna, wait times tend to be longer than in other provinces.

Why Are Wait Times So Different?

Causes of Long Public Insurance Wait Times

1. Limited Public Contracts

• Only certain institutes have ÖGK contracts
• Quotas for public insurance examinations are limited

2. Increasing Demand

• Aging population needs more diagnostics
• MRI is prescribed more often than before

3. Resource Scarcity

• Expensive equipment, high operating costs
• Specialist staff shortage

Why Is It Faster Privately?

Private institutes have:

• More capacity (no quotas)
• Economic interest in quick appointment scheduling
• Often newer and more equipment
• Longer opening hours

Costs for Private MRI

What Does an MRI Cost Without Insurance?

MRI Examination	Private Price	ÖGK Reimburses approx.	Out-of-Pocket
MRI Knee	€200-350	€100-150	€100-200
MRI Spine	€300-450	€140-180	€160-270
MRI Head	€250-400	€120-160	€130-240
MRI Full Body	€600-1,000	€200-300	€400-700
MRI with Contrast (surcharge)	+€80-150	Partial	+€40-100

Solution: Private Doctor Insurance

How Supplementary Insurance Helps

Private doctor insurance covers the costs for diagnostic examinations at private institutes:

Item	Without Supplement	With Supplementary Insurance
Private MRI Knee	€300	€300
ÖGK Reimbursement	-€130	-€130
Supplementary Insurance	-	-€170 (80-100%)
Your Out-of-Pocket	€170	€0-34
Wait Time for Appointment	10-14 weeks (public)	2-5 days (private)

Tips: Getting an MRI Appointment Faster

1. Communicate Urgency

For acute symptoms or suspected serious illness, you can get an urgent referral from your doctor, which can lead to faster appointment scheduling.

2. Contact Multiple Institutes

Call different public insurance institutes – wait times sometimes vary considerably.

3. Use Cancellations

Ask if you can be put on a cancellation list. This way, you can get short-notice appointments that become available.

4. Choose Off-Peak Times

Early morning or late afternoon appointments are often less in demand and available faster.

5. Private Option as Emergency Solution

If the wait time is medically problematic, a private MRI can be the better choice despite out-of-pocket costs.

Regional Differences

MRI Wait Times by Province

The situation varies greatly by region:

Vienna:

• Highest demand
• Longest wait times at public institutes
• Many private institutes as alternative

Other Provinces:

• Sometimes shorter wait times
• Fewer alternative options
• Travel to other institutes often necessary

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I Need a Referral for a Private MRI?

For the examination itself: usually yes. For cost reimbursement through ÖGK: definitely. The referral must document the medical necessity.

Can I Take the Result to My Public Doctor?

Yes, of course. The MRI result from a private institute is equally valid and can be used by any doctor for further treatment.

What If I Can't Afford It?

• Wait for the public appointment if medically justifiable
• Ask private institutes about payment plans
• Consider whether supplementary insurance makes sense for the future

Does Supplementary Insurance Also Cover CT and X-Ray?

Yes, most private doctor insurances cover all imaging procedures, including CT, X-ray, and ultrasound at private doctors.

Conclusion: MRI Wait Times in Austria

Wait times for an MRI with public insurance can be frustratingly long. Private doctor supplementary insurance not only offers faster appointments but also covers most of the costs.

Summary:

• Public insurance wait time: often 2-4 months
• Private institute: usually 1-5 days
• Private costs: €200-500 depending on examination
• Supplementary insurance: covers the difference after ÖGK reimbursement

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Disclaimer: The wait times and prices mentioned are approximate values and may vary by institute, region, and current workload. For binding information, contact the institutes directly. CheckEverything.at assumes no liability for the accuracy of the information.