I Tried a $1,850 Full-Body MRI. Here’s What I Learned About My Health.

Would you pay nearly $2,000 for a full-body MRI? The internet is buzzing about this latest health trend, which claims to help detect early signs of disease including cancer, heart issues and neurological disorders, long before symptoms appear. Given that I have a family history of cancer, dementia and other chronic illnesses, I was both curious and apprehensive about undergoing one of these scans. Would it offer peace of mind, or stir up anxiety? My results were mostly reassuring, but did spotlight a few health areas I'll be monitoring more closely going forward. Ahead, I'll walk you through my full-body MRI experience, including how it works, what to expect, how it compares with other services offering similar scans and whether I ultimately think it's worth the high price tag.

Marketed as a preventative health tool, a full-body MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is a non-invasive medical scan that takes about 60 to 90 minutes. Unlike CT scans or X-rays, there is no radiation exposure. Instead, it uses powerful magnets and radio waves to generate detailed images of the inside of your body. Traditional MRIs focus on specific areas, like the brain or back, but a full-body MRI captures images of nearly all your major organs and systems from your head to your pelvis.

In just one session, a full-body MRI will create thousands of images of your brain, heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas, spine, reproductive organs, bones, muscles and more. Some services offer AI-assisted image analysis to help interpret the results, and most don't require contrast dye. The scan is not recommended for individuals with metal implants or pacemakers and not suitable for those who are pregnant. There is also some concern around false positives, which can lead to unnecessary worry and costly follow-ups.

Full-body MRIs are typically not covered by insurance when used for preventative purposes. They range on average between $1,000 to $2,500, but cost can vary on the provider and depth of the scan, as well as any add-ons like genetic testing. The locations are typically in major cities and operate outside of traditional hospital systems, but rather in specialized medical imaging centers. It may be HSA/FSA eligible, but you'll have to check with your provider first.

My scan was provided courtesy of SimonMed, but typically their basic scan called simonONE Body costs $650 ($950 at its Van Ness, South San Francisco, Los Gatos and Carnegie Hill locations) and $1,250 for its simonONE Body Plus scan ($1,850 at its Van Ness, San Francisco, Los Gatos and Carnegie Hill locations).

Scheduling & First Impressions

Booking my appointment was simple and efficient. You can call the number listed on their website, and I was able to schedule a scan for the following week, no doctor referral required. Prior to the appointment, I received digital intake forms that covered my medical history and some general health background. At the same time, a follow-up consultation was scheduled for about a week after the scan, giving me the opportunity to review my results with one of their radiologists.

SimonMed has locations across nine states, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Nevada, New York and Texas. I visited their office in Manhattan's Upper East Side and took the subway to get there. The facility was modern, clean and had a calming ambiance. The front desk staff was friendly and efficient, and the waiting area was moderately sized. There were about four other patients present, and my wait time was approximately 10 to 15 minutes before I was called in for my scan.

An employee escorted me to the private changing room, where I changed into a medical gown. I then waited in a nearby chair until the MRI technician was ready. The medical space felt a bit chilly, which is fairly typical in these settings, but a small blanket, refreshments or added amenities could have made the experience more comfortable, especially since you are paying top dollar.

The Scan

My MRI technician was kind and walked me through the entire process before I entered the machine. Although I've had a short back MRI before, knowing this whole-body scan would take an hour started to make me feel uneasy. As I laid down on the table, I felt a wave of anxiety, something that caught me off guard since I'm not typically claustrophobic. I found it difficult to calm myself down and was seriously thinking about cancelling the scan. The tech offered several solutions to help ease my nerves, like changing the music station, but what ultimately worked was a pair of special reflective glasses he provided. These created the illusion that I was looking out of the machine, as if my head were propped up even though I was lying flat. That simple visual shift actually calmed me down, and I was proud of myself for completing the full scan.

If you've ever had an MRI, you know they can be noisy and a bit uncomfortable. While you're lying perfectly still, the machine emits loud banging sounds as it captures the images. In this full-body scan, there were also several points where I had to hold my breath so they could capture images of my lungs and chest, which adds another layer of difficulty if you're already feeling anxious. It's something to keep in mind if you're considering a scan like this.

Throughout the session, the tech checked in on me via intercom, which was reassuring and helped me stay calm. I've heard that some imaging services like Prenuvo offer added amenities such as Netflix or in-scan entertainment, something that would have made a big difference during such a long MRI session.

Once the scan was complete, I changed back into my clothes and was told that my results would be ready in time for my follow-up consultation, which was scheduled for exactly a week later with a board-certified SimonMed radiologist.

Waiting for my results felt like the longest week ever. I was admittedly anxious since I wasn't sure what might turn up. SimonMed doesn't release your results ahead of time. Instead, they review them with you during your follow-up appointment. In retrospect, that was probably a smart decision since I would have driven myself crazy trying to interpret the clinical details on my own.

When the day of my follow-up appointment finally arrived, I met virtually with Dr. Barry Sadegi, SimonMed's lead radiologist, who spent a full half hour with me going through every section of the scan in detail, which I appreciated. Two radiologists review your results for the report, and you'll either meet with one of their radiologists or an advanced medical provider in their practice.

Dr. Sadegi led with the fact that there were no major findings or causes for concern. My brain scan came back normal, with good circulation and no signs of structural issues, aneurysms or any early signs of neurodegenerative disease, which was one of my biggest worries. Everything else from my heart and lungs to my abdominal organs appeared healthy and unremarkable.

There were, however, a few minor but interesting findings. One was some significant sinus inflammation, likely due to seasonal allergies. I've experienced allergy symptoms in the past but never saw an allergist, so this was the nudge I needed to finally book an appointment. Another finding had to do with postpartum changes. I have two children, one of whom is just a year old. While my abdominal muscles looked strong and there was no signs of diastasis recti, Dr. Sadegi noted a very small umbilical hernia which he said is likely a lingering result from pregnancy. He recommended continuing core-strengthening exercises, which I already incorporate into my routine. It also showed me just how long it can take the body to recover post birth.

Although my results were mostly unremarkable, Dr. Sadegi emphasized that this type of whole body MRI is primarily designed to establish a baseline as a detailed snapshot of your current health that can be compared against future scans. He also flagged a couple findings that weren't urgent or diagnostic but could be worth discussing with a specialist, including a possible indication of a common uterine condition. It wasn't alarming, just something to keep in mind.

One interesting point he mentioned was that while my lungs appeared healthy, MRIs aren't the most effective imaging tool for areas like the lungs, chest and even the intestines. Since you are breathing during your scan, there is constant motion which makes it harder to capture these images. Still, he was able to confirm there were no signs of anything concerning.

Ultimately, the scan gave me peace of mind. It was reassuring to know that at this point in time my body is functioning well and shows no signs of any serious condition. I had assumed it might be appropriate for another scan in five to ten years, but Dr. Sadegi recommended annual scans, explaining that some issues can develop quickly and are easier to treat when caught early.

That said, the price point is the real consideration. At over $1,000 per scan and with typically no insurance coverage for something like this, it's a significant investment. While I see the value, especially for those with a family history or health concerns, it's not something I could justify doing every year without coverage.

Pros

• Early detection potential
• Does not use radiation
• Comprehensive, non-invasive scan
• Professional grade imaging
• Personalized radiologist review
• No doctor referral needed
• Comfortable and clean facility

Cons

• High cost with limited insurance coverage
• Limited accuracy in some areas including the lungs and chest
• Potential for false positives
• Can be physically and mentally uncomfortable
• Not diagnostic in isolation

I only experienced a full-body MRI scan with SimonMed, so I can't speak to the patient experience at other providers. But based on my research, other popular services include:

• Prenuvo: One of the most well-known full-body MRI services. It is advertised to offer entertainment options like Netflix during your scan, as well as a sleek, spa-like clinic and upscale ambiance. You can access your report on their app, and a nurse practitioner walks you through your results. Whole body scans with this service cost around $2,499, but they offer a head and torso scan for $1,799 and a torso only scan for $999. An enhanced screening option with blood work and more ranges from $3,999 to $4,499.

• Ezra: This service partners with existing imaging centers instead of having its own facility. Their basic MRI scan is $499 and screens for over 500 conditions. They offer an MRI with spine option for $1,499 and a more lengthy MRI with skeletal and neurological assessment for $3,999. You'll get a report that Ezra says translates your findings into straightforward language. You can email questions about your report to their medical providers, but won't have a follow-up consultation unless you opt for the most expensive package that includes skeletal and neurological assesment.

A full-body MRI can be a powerful tool for proactive health screening, and my experience delivered peace of mind and a valuable snapshot of my current health. It gave me the reassurance I hoped for, while still encouraging me to be more intentional about certain aspects of my health. But while the medical-grade imaging and thorough radiologist review of my results were impressive, the steep cost and limited insurance coverage simply make this a luxury not everyone can afford. If you have a family history of serious chronic illness or are looking to establish a detailed health baseline, it may be worth the investment. That said, it's important to consider the financial and also emotional implications before booking. I may consider doing it every few years rather than annually, unless my doctor recommends otherwise. While it can offer valuable insights, it's still important to stay on top of your regular medical care, screenings and healthy habits.