Whole-Body MRI Screening in China: 1.5T or 3.0T, Cost by Region
Shenzhen · 1.5T clinic or 3.0T hospital · English report + DICOM
Short answer: In Shenzhen you can book an MRI screening package that scans 4 to 10 body regions, one region at a time. A 1.5T package at a licensed outpatient imaging clinic starts at US$399 for 4 regions; a 3.0T package at a hospital starts at US$599 for 4 regions. Both include a bilingual companion on the day, an English-translated radiology report and your DICOM images. It is not one continuous head-to-toe scan, and it is not a diagnosis.
SinoCareLink is a medical coordination service. We sell the packages and services linked on this page; we are not a hospital or clinic, and this page is not a ranking.
Two ways to scan: 1.5T clinic or 3.0T hospital
| 1.5T — outpatient imaging clinic | 3.0T — hospital | |
|---|---|---|
| 4 regions | $399 — brain, intracranial MRA (cerebral vessels), upper abdomen, pelvis | $599 — brain + DWI, intracranial MRA, upper abdomen + DWI, pelvis + DWI |
| 7 regions | $649 — the 4 above plus cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine | $899 — the 4 above plus cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine |
| Top tier | $899 · 9 regions — the 7 above plus any two of: knee (left or right), wrist, elbow, or sinus | $1,299 · 10 regions — the 7 above plus cardiac great-vessel MRI and any two of: knee (left/right), shoulder, hip, ankle, or sinus / nasopharynx / pituitary / hippocampus |
| Scanner and sequences | Philips Multiva 1.5T; non-contrast, standard sequences; no DWI, no cardiac MRI | Hospital 3.0T system; DWI on brain, abdomen and pelvis; no gadolinium contrast for screening |
| Time on the day | About two hours on the table for 7 regions; 9 regions somewhat longer. Plan a half day | Region by region, with 5–10 minutes for each coil change. Plan a full day |
| Companion | Bilingual companion for the whole visit | Bilingual companion for the whole visit |
| Report | English-translated report typically in 2–3 weeks (about 1 week at the fastest); DICOM images on USB or by secure link | English-translated report in 1–3 weeks; DICOM images before you leave |
Prices are in US dollars. On the 3.0T package, any single extra region is $150. Booking one to three regions on their own, without a package, is $200 per region in Shenzhen. If a region on the list is of no interest to you, tell us and we will quote without it.
Which one fits you?
- 1.5T suits a first, broad screen, a tighter budget or a short trip, such as a day across the border from Hong Kong. It is faster and quieter, and metal causes milder image artifacts.
- 3.0T suits you if you want DWI on the brain, abdomen and pelvis, cardiac great-vessel MRI (10-region package), finer detail on small structures, or a scan inside a hospital.
- A common route is to screen broadly on 1.5T, then re-check only the region that raises a question on a 3.0T hospital scanner ($200 per region). The full comparison is in 1.5T vs 3.0T MRI: which one do you actually need?
- 5.0T is not a screening option. A 5.0T scan of one or more body parts can be arranged at a hospital in Shenzhen, but only when a doctor at that hospital orders it for a specific clinical question, so an outpatient specialist visit there may be needed first. Contact us before booking. To see the price per body part, choose Shenzhen and the 5.0T option on the MRI add-on page. What 5.0T is, and what the published evidence shows so far, is in 5.0T MRI explained.
| 1.5T | 3.0T | 5.0T | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Booked as | Screening package, 4–9 regions | Screening package, 4–10 regions | One or more body parts, priced per body part; not a screening package |
| Where | Licensed outpatient imaging clinic, Shenzhen | Hospital, Shenzhen | A hospital, Shenzhen |
| How it is ordered | You book the package; we go through the safety questions first | You book the package; we go through the safety questions first | A doctor at that hospital orders it for a specific clinical question |
| Price | From US$399 | From US$599 | Per body part: choose Shenzhen and the 5.0T option on the MRI add-on page |
On every option, the imaging team makes the final decision on whether the scan is suitable for you.
Choosing by purpose, regions and budget
Start with the clinical question, not the scanner's field strength: why is the scan being considered, which regions need assessment, and which sequences does the referring clinician or imaging team require? Then compare the suitable package and written total. A higher field strength or a longer region list does not automatically make a package more appropriate for you.
If you have symptoms or are following up a finding, ask your doctor about the relevant diagnostic examination rather than selecting broad screening from a price table. If you have no symptoms and no clinician has advised screening, read the professional-body cautions below and speak to your own doctor first.
To calculate the quoted total:
- Start with the package and region list in the existing table.
- On the 3.0T package, an additional region is US$150. For a standalone booking of one to three regions in Shenzhen, the published price is US$200 per region; this is a separate booking route, not a second charge for a region already included.
- DICOM images are included. Contrast, if clinically indicated, is not included; ask for any additional charge before committing. No new contrast price is quoted here.
- Keep the report timetable separate: 1.5T English-translated reports usually take 2–3 weeks, about one week at the fastest; 3.0T reports take 1–3 weeks. Neither is a same-day report promise.
If you want previous scans compared, bring their DICOM files and reports and ask in advance whether and how the radiology team can use them. Do not assume a comparison or an additional interpretation is included. Send your purpose, requested regions, any clinician's advice and existing images with your enquiry; we will confirm the package and total in writing.
What a whole-body MRI can and cannot show
A whole-body (or full-body) MRI package scans only the regions on its list, one region at a time. It uses a magnet and radio waves, not X-rays, so there is no ionising radiation.
- What it looks at: soft tissue and structure in the regions scanned: on our packages, the brain and the vessels inside the skull (MRA), the upper abdomen (such as the liver, kidneys and pancreas), the pelvis, the spine from the 7-region tier, and a choice of joints on the top tier. The radiologist reports what is visible in those regions.
- Lungs: none of our MRI packages includes a scan of the lungs. Small lung nodules are better seen on CT, and low-dose CT of the chest is the test used in lung cancer screening for eligible people, for example by age and smoking history.
- Stomach and bowel lining: small polyps and changes in the lining are looked for with endoscopy (gastroscopy or colonoscopy), not with a screening MRI.
- Heart arteries: the scan does not measure calcium in, or narrowing of, the coronary arteries. That is assessed with a CT calcium score or coronary CT angiography.
- Breasts, skin and blood: breasts are not among the regions scanned, the scan does not look at the skin, and it does not replace blood tests.
A whole-body MRI is not a substitute for the screening tests recommended in your country, such as cervical, breast or bowel screening, or lung screening with low-dose CT if you are eligible.
Whole-body MRI, low-dose CT or PET-CT?
They answer different questions, and one does not replace another.
| Whole-body MRI package | Low-dose chest CT | PET-CT | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it works | Magnet and radio waves; no ionising radiation | X-rays at a low dose | A radioactive tracer plus a CT scan; involves ionising radiation |
| What it is used for | A structural look at the regions you choose: brain, abdomen, pelvis, spine | The lungs; the test used in lung cancer screening for eligible people | A nuclear-medicine scan for people with specific risk factors or a doctor's recommendation; not a routine add-on |
| Where to read more | This page | Lung and respiratory screening | PET-CT in China |
For a side-by-side of prices across MRI, CT and PET-CT, see medical imaging costs in China.
Before anything else: is this appropriate for you?
If you have no symptoms and nobody has advised you to have this scan, ask your own doctor first. Whole-body MRI screening of people without symptoms is not endorsed by the professional radiology bodies in the UK or Australia:
"We only recommend body scanning to investigate symptoms of disease, and only under the direction of a doctor… If you don't have symptoms, we don't recommend an elective MRI."Dr Katharine Halliday, President, The Royal College of Radiologists (UK), 12 June 2025
The College "does not recommend performing whole body MRI screening in asymptomatic patients who do not have a previously diagnosed malignancy or a cancer predisposition syndrome."Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR), Position Statement on Whole Body MRI, 2024
We are a coordination service, not your physician. There is no evidence that screening healthy people with whole-body MRI helps them live longer. What we can do is book the scan and price it clearly if you and your doctor have decided you want one.
What the published numbers show
| Study | People scanned | What was found |
|---|---|---|
| Kwee et al., J Magn Reson Imaging (2019), 12 studies | 5,373 asymptomatic adults | 32.1% had a critical or indeterminate incidental finding; 16.0% false-positive rate |
| Petralia et al., 12 studies | 5,809 asymptomatic adults | 2% suspected malignancy; 1.5% confirmed cancer on tissue diagnosis |
| ONCO-RADS validation cohort (3T) | 2,064 adults, median age 55 | 1.2% confirmed cancers; 96.1% graded Category 2, no significant finding |
Roughly one person in three ends up with a finding that needs explaining. Follow-up for those findings, such as repeat imaging or sometimes a biopsy, is not included in the price and usually happens at home.
Three things this is not
- Not one continuous head-to-toe protocol. Prenuvo and Ezra run a single continuous sequence. In Shenzhen, the team scans region by region, changing the coil and repositioning you between regions. It is a different procedure.
- Not a natively written ONCO-RADS report. You receive the radiologist's report translated into English in standard clinical terms, plus your DICOM images. It is not an ONCO-RADS 1–5 structured report, and we don't claim compliance with that standard.
- Not a same-day report. On the 1.5T package, the complete English-translated report typically arrives in 2–3 weeks (about 1 week at the fastest); on the 3.0T package, allow 1–3 weeks. We do not promise same-day reports. You receive your DICOM images on USB or by secure link.
MRI safety: what we ask before booking
MRI uses a strong magnet. Please tell us before you pay if any of these apply:
- a pacemaker, defibrillator or artificial heart valve;
- a cochlear implant or middle-ear prosthesis;
- vascular coils, filters, stents or aneurysm clips;
- metal fragments in the skin, body or eyes, or any eye implant;
- orthopaedic metal, such as pins, plates, screws or joint replacements;
- dental implants, bridges or magnetic denture attachments;
- any other implant or device, even if you were told it is non-magnetic;
- pregnancy or possible pregnancy, or an IUD (coil);
- claustrophobia.
We go through these questions with you before booking, but the imaging team at the hospital or clinic makes the final decision on whether the scan is suitable for you, sometimes only on the day. Some devices rule out MRI altogether.
Preparation. Most regions need no special preparation, but on both packages the upper-abdomen scan needs at least 6 hours without food (water is fine). At the 3.0T hospital, the pelvis scan also needs a moderately full bladder and an empty bowel. For the 1.5T clinic, your coordinator confirms your preparation before your appointment.
What is included
- The scans for every region in your package.
- A bilingual companion for the whole visit: registration, the scan suite and the radiologist hand-off.
- An English-translated radiology report, in standard clinical terms: typically 2–3 weeks (about 1 week at the fastest) on the 1.5T package, or 1–3 weeks on the 3.0T package.
- Your DICOM images on USB or by secure link, so your own doctor can review them.
Not included: flights, hotel, contrast agent where a specific indication requires it, blood tests, and any follow-up imaging, specialist consultation or treatment arising from the findings. If a finding needs a specialist, we arrange it separately and quote it before you commit.
How it works
- Tell us which regions matter to you, and what prompted the scan. If the honest answer is "an advert", we will suggest you speak to your own doctor first.
- We confirm in writing the package (1.5T or 3.0T), the regions, the total price and a date, before you pay.
- Scan day in Shenzhen. Your companion meets you and stays with you throughout. Plan a half day for 1.5T, a full day for 3.0T.
- Report. Your DICOM images come on USB or by secure link. The English-translated report follows: on the 1.5T package, typically in 2–3 weeks (about 1 week at the fastest); on the 3.0T package, in 1–3 weeks.
What the same regions cost elsewhere
Published self-pay list prices, converted at GBP/USD 1.3482 and AUD/USD 0.7016 (2 August 2026). Compared against the 3.0T package with the closest region coverage.
| Provider | What it covers | Their price | Closest SinoCareLink 3.0T package |
|---|---|---|---|
| MRI Plus Diamond (UK) | 6–8 regions + full spine | £2,999 ≈ $4,043 | 10 regions, $1,299 |
| Prenuvo (UK) | Head to ankle, one protocol | £2,499 ≈ $3,369 | 10 regions, $1,299 |
| Prenuvo (US) | Head to ankle, one protocol | $2,499 | 10 regions, $1,299 |
| Prenuvo (Australia) | Head to ankle, one protocol | A$2,999 ≈ $2,104 | 10 regions, $1,299 |
| OneMRI (Australia) | Head, neck, chest, abdo/pelvis, spine | A$2,990 ≈ $2,098 | 7 regions, $899 |
| Ezra (US) | 5 regions including spine | $1,699 | 7 regions, $899 |
| Ezra (US) | 4 regions: head, neck, abdomen, pelvis | $999 | 4 regions, $599 |
These are different procedures, and the table compares list prices only. If the scan is the only reason for the trip, add your airfare: for the 4- and 7-region tiers, flying is often the more expensive option. It tends to make sense if you are switching from a premium-tier provider, or if you are already coming to China for a health checkup, dental work or treatment.
Getting to Shenzhen
Citizens of some countries can visit China visa-free for up to 30 days for business, tourism, family visits, exchanges or transit. Medical treatment is not among the listed purposes, so check the right entry route for your passport with the Chinese embassy or consulate before you book.
US passport holders are among the nationalities eligible for China's 240-hour visa-free transit, which applies only when you travel on to a third country or region with a confirmed onward ticket and enter through a designated port. Its permitted activities are tourism, business, visits and family visits; medical treatment is not on that list. Check the right entry route for your trip with the Chinese embassy or consulate before you book.
The rules change; see our China visa guide and 240-hour transit guide. We don't arrange visas. Coming from Hong Kong? See MRI screening in Shenzhen from Hong Kong.
FAQ
How much does whole-body MRI screening cost in China?
In Shenzhen, the 1.5T package at a licensed outpatient imaging clinic is $399 for 4 regions, $649 for 7 and $899 for 9. The 3.0T package at a hospital is $599 for 4 regions, $899 for 7 and $1,299 for 10. Prices are in US dollars.
What is the difference between the 1.5T and 3.0T packages?
The 3.0T hospital package includes DWI on the brain, abdomen and pelvis, and its 10-region tier adds cardiac great-vessel MRI. The 1.5T clinic package uses non-contrast standard sequences without DWI or cardiac MRI, and is faster and cheaper.
How long does the scan take?
On the 1.5T package, 7 regions take about two hours on the table; plan a half day. On the 3.0T package, regions are scanned one at a time with 5–10 minutes for each coil change; plan a full day, after which you can usually return to Hong Kong the same day.
Do I need to fast?
Most regions need no special preparation, but on both packages the upper-abdomen scan needs at least 6 hours without food (water is fine). Your coordinator confirms your preparation before your appointment.
Can I have a health checkup and the MRI on the same day?
On the 3.0T package, often yes: the checkup can be scheduled in the morning and the MRI in the afternoon, subject to scheduling at the hospital. The upper-abdomen scan still needs at least 6 hours without food beforehand, so your coordinator confirms the timetable and your preparation for both before you go.
How long does the English report take?
On the 1.5T package, the complete English-translated report typically arrives in 2–3 weeks (about 1 week at the fastest); on the 3.0T package, allow 1–3 weeks. You receive your DICOM images on USB or by secure link. We do not promise same-day reports.
Can anyone have an MRI?
No. Tell us before booking about any implant, device or metal in your body, pregnancy or possible pregnancy, or claustrophobia. The imaging team makes the final decision on whether the scan is suitable for you, sometimes only on the day.
Should a healthy person with no symptoms have a whole-body MRI?
The Royal College of Radiologists in the UK and RANZCR in Australia do not recommend whole-body MRI screening for people without symptoms who have no previous cancer diagnosis and no cancer predisposition syndrome. If nobody has advised you to have one, speak to your own doctor before booking.
What happens if the scan finds something?
Screening is not diagnosis. Around one in three people in published studies had a finding that needed explaining. Follow-up is not included in the price; if a finding needs a specialist, we arrange it separately and quote it before you commit, or you can take your report and images to your own doctor.
Can I book a 5.0T MRI?
For one or more body parts, but only at a hospital in Shenzhen and only when a doctor at that hospital orders it for a specific clinical question, so an outpatient specialist visit there may be needed first. It is not a screening scan and is not part of the whole-body packages. Contact us first: we will ask the hospital whether a 5.0T scan can be arranged for each body part and your question (the decision is the hospital doctor's), and confirm the date and any outpatient registration fee before you pay. We ask the hospital doctor to order the scan before it is booked; if the doctor does not order the scan for a body part, we refund in full what you paid us for that body part. To see the price per body part, choose Shenzhen and the 5.0T option on the MRI add-on page.
Can a whole-body MRI replace a low-dose CT or a PET-CT?
No. Our MRI packages do not include a scan of the lungs; low-dose chest CT is the test used in lung cancer screening for eligible people. PET-CT is a nuclear-medicine scan for people with specific risk factors or a doctor's recommendation, and it involves ionising radiation; MRI does not.
Can I have this in Shanghai or Beijing?
Not yet as a single-visit package. Ask us and we will quote when that changes.
SinoCareLink is a medical care coordination service and is not a healthcare provider. All scans and radiology reports are performed by independent, licensed professionals at a partner hospital or licensed imaging clinic in China. Nothing on this page is medical advice or a recommendation to undergo screening. Professional-body positions are quoted from the Royal College of Radiologists statement of 12 June 2025 and the RANZCR Position Statement on Whole Body MRI (2024). Competitor prices are publicly listed self-pay prices as of 2 August 2026 and may change.