Headwaters Health Care Centre MRI Wait Times

No. Under the Commitment to the Future of Medicare Act, Ontario public hospitals cannot accept out-of-pocket payments for medically necessary scans to bypass the waitlist. To access a private MRI, you must use a licensed private facility located outside of the Ontario public system, such as those in some other Canadian provinces or the United States.

Yes. It is entirely legal for Ontario residents to travel out-of-province or out-of-country to pay for private medical imaging. While OHIP will not cover the cost of these private scans, the results are legally recognized and can be sent directly to your Ontario physician for your follow-up care.

Yes. Private clinics employ board-certified radiologists who provide a formal diagnostic report. This report, along with the digital images, is sent back to your referring doctor in Ontario to be used for your diagnosis or treatment plan, just as if the scan had been performed at Headwaters Health Care Centre.

In most cases, you can use the same requisition form your doctor already provided for your hospital appointment. However, some U.S. clinics have specific requirements or may offer internal physician reviews for patients without a current form. Our directory includes a Referral Cheat Sheet to help you navigate these specific clinic rules.

Yes. If you have a valid medical requisition, the cost of the MRI and associated travel expenses can often be claimed under the Medical Expense Tax Credit (METC) on your Canadian tax return. Our $29 directory includes a Tax Deduction Guide to help you maximize these savings. The limit can be changed depending on your net income.

You pay us $29 for access to the directory. You pay the clinic directly for the MRI scan itself at the time of service. Most clinics accept major credit cards, personal checks, or cash.

No. OHIP only covers MRI scans performed at publicly funded hospitals or specifically licensed facilities within the Ontario health system. If you choose to pay for a private MRI at a clinic, you are opting out of the public system for that specific scan. OHIP does not provide reimbursement for elective private healthcare costs, nor does it cover travel or accommodation expenses.