Prevention/Vaccination
Prevention/Vaccination
Brain Scans: CT vs MRI Key Differences (Hospital & Clinic Fees)
Author
Bowtie Team
Updated on
2025-08-15
Disclaimer: This article is translated with the assistance of AI.
Wondering about brain scans? Learn the key differences between CT and MRI, what conditions they detect, who they’re best for, plus private hospital and clinic costs – all explained clearly!
What is a Brain Scan?
A brain scan is a medical imaging technique that captures 3D images of the brain by taking pictures inside the head, used to assess and diagnose various brain diseases and conditions 1 . The main brain scanning technologies are CT Scan and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).
Brain CT Scan vs MRI: Key Differences
| Diagnostic Imaging Test | Brain CT Scan | Brain MRI Scan |
| Scan Duration | About 10 minutes | About 45 minutes |
| Detectable Conditions | Brain tumors, strokes, multiple sclerosis, etc. | Brain inflammation, masses, structural issues; also detects brain bleeding, cerebral aneurysms, strokes, traumatic brain injuries, etc. |
| Suitable For | Patients with neurological symptoms or past head injuries | Individuals suspected of having brain diseases or head structural abnormalities |
Brain CT Scan Costs in Hong Kong
Public Hospitals
CT scan costs under private services in public hospitals range from HK$740 to HK$5,480.
Private Hospitals
| Private Hospital | Price |
| St. Teresa’s Hospital (French Hospital) | HK$2,100 – HK$6,000 |
| St. Paul’s Hospital | HK$2,140 – HK$6,280 |
| Evangel Hospital | HK$2,300 – HK$5,800 |
| Precious Blood Hospital | HK$2,205 – HK$3,308 |
| CUHK Medical Centre | HK$2,430 – HK$4,490 |
| Tsuen Wan Adventist Hospital | HK$2,400 – HK$7,050 |
| Union Hospital | HK$2,400 – HK$4,500 |
| Hong Kong Baptist Hospital | HK$2,380 – HK$6,675 |
| Hong Kong Adventist Hospital | HK$2,400 – HK$7,050 |
| Canossa Hospital | HK$2,950 – HK$5,460 |
| Gleneagles Hospital | HK$3,060 – HK$9,760 |
| Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital | HK$3,440 – HK$7,430 |
| Matilda International Hospital | HK$2,800 – HK$8,900 |
Private Clinics / Medical Centres
| Private Clinic | Price |
| Bowtie & JP Health | From HK$1,400 |
| Hong Kong Specialists | HK$1,700 – HK$3,100 |
| Tung Wah Group of Hospitals | HK$1,190 – HK$2,100 |
| A1 Medical Diagnostic Centre | HK$1,400 |
- * The differences in private hospital charges mainly depend on the ward level and whether contrast agents are used. The Bowtie medical information team collected the relevant fees online on January 8, 2025, and everything is subject to the hospital or clinic
Check out more CT Scan fees and appointment details:
- Hong Kong Island: Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital ｜ St. Paul’s Hospital ｜ Gleneagles Hospital Hong Kong ｜ Hong Kong Adventist Hospital – Stubbs Road ｜ Matilda International Hospital ｜ Canossa Hospital
- Kowloon: Hong Kong Baptist Hospital ｜ St. Teresa’s Hospital ｜ Evangel Hospital ｜ Precious Blood Hospital
- New Territories: CUHK Medical Centre ｜ Union Hospital ｜ Tsuen Wan Adventist Hospital
Bowtie & JP Health Offer Brain CT Scan Services!
Bowtie & JP Health Health Centre provides comprehensive medical services for customers, including health check-ups, vaccinations, and diagnostic imaging services. If you’re planning to book diagnostic imaging or other services at the Bowtie & JP Health Health Centre , you can call 3169 2269, or click here to book clinic services !
Brain MRI Scan Costs in Hong Kong
Public Hospitals
The cost of undergoing a CT scan under private medical services in public hospitals ranges from HK$3,000 to HK$20,000.
Private Hospitals
| Private Hospital | Price |
| St. Teresa’s Hospital (French Hospital) | HK$6,260 – HK$15,700 |
| St. Paul’s Hospital | HK$6,430 – HK$15,910 |
| Evangel Hospital | HK$5,800 – HK$15,300 |
| Precious Blood Hospital | HK$5,454 – HK$13,527 |
| CUHK Medical Centre | HK$6,700 – HK$10,640 |
| Tsuen Wan Adventist Hospital | HK$6,200 – HK$15,600 |
| Union Hospital | HK$6,600 – HK$10,000 |
| Hong Kong Baptist Hospital | HK$6,740 – HK$15,300 |
| Hong Kong Adventist Hospital | HK$6,200 – HK$15,600 |
| Gleneagles Hospital | HK$8,460 – HK$24,160 |
| Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital | HK$9,460 – HK$18,160 |
| Matilda International Hospital | HK$6,930 – HK$15,460 |
Private Clinics / Medical Institutions
| Private Clinic / Medical Institution | Price |
| Hong Kong Specialists | HK$5,400 – HK$7,500 |
| Hong Kong Minimally Invasive Brain and Spine Neurosurgery Centre | HK$9,800 |
| Trinity Medical Centre | HK$6,080 |
| Pulse Medical Diagnostic Centre | HK$8,700 |
| Hong Kong Women’s Imaging | HK$6,500 |
- * The differences in private hospital charges mainly depend on the ward level and whether contrast agents are used. The Bowtie medical information team collected relevant charges online on January 8, 2025, all subject to the hospital or clinic
Check out more MRI scan fees and appointment details:
- Hong Kong Island: Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital ｜ St. Paul’s Hospital ｜ Gleneagles Hospital Hong Kong ｜ Hong Kong Adventist Hospital – Stubbs Road ｜ Matilda International Hospital
- Kowloon: Hong Kong Baptist Hospital ｜ Canossa Hospital ｜ Evangel Hospital ｜ Precious Blood Hospital
- New Territories: CUHK Medical Centre ｜ Union Hospital ｜ Hong Kong Adventist Hospital – Tsuen Wan
Which Insurance Covers CT Scans and MRIs?
Bowtie VHIS provides coverage for “diagnostic tests”, meaning if the insured receives a written recommendation from the attending/registered doctor to undergo this test*, and it is deemed medically necessary, MRI scans are covered under the “prescribed diagnostic imaging tests” in the VHIS plan, Bowtie Pink will fully reimburse 1 the related medical expenses.
Note that different plans have varying coverage limits. The table below lists the annual coverage amounts for Bowtie’s various VHIS plans for reference:
| Bowtie VHIS Standard | Bowtie VHIS Flexi (Regular/Plus) | Bowtie Pink | |
Prescribed diagnostic imaging tests, including:
|
$20,000 / year
(with 30% co-insurance ) |
Regular:
Plus: (with 30% co-insurance ) |
Full reimbursement 1 |
If further treatment is needed after the scan, Bowtie Pink also covers the following expenses:
- Hospital room and board
- Attending doctor’s visit fees
- Surgeon’s fees
- Anesthetist’s fees
- Operating theatre fees
- Pre-admission or post-discharge / pre- and post-day surgery outpatient care* (one prior and three after#)
- Miscellaneous expenses
- 1 Full reimbursement means no sub-limits on claims and applies only to specified benefit items. Payable benefits are subject to the remaining deductible (if applicable), annual benefit limit, lifetime benefit limit, and other conditions including reasonable and customary charges, pre-existing conditions, designated hospital list in Mainland China, and treatments in the US. For detailed product terms and conditions, product risks, and exclusions, please refer to the relevant product webpage and policy.
- * The Company reserves the right to request proof of such written advice, such as a referral letter or a statement provided by the attending doctor or registered doctor in the claim application form.
- # Up to 1 outpatient or emergency consultation before hospitalisation / day case surgery; up to 3 follow-up outpatient consultations within 90 days after discharge / day case surgery.
Brain Scan FAQs: CT & MRI
Do I always need contrast agent for CT or MRI scans?
Not all imaging diagnostic tests require contrast agents—over 85% of MRI scans don’t need them at all.
That said, for MRI scans, using a contrast agent can help detect smaller tumors, better assess their size, and determine how much they’ve spread to surrounding tissues.
How long does it take to get brain CT scan results?
Patients usually receive the results and report within a few days.
How long for brain MRI scan results?
Patients typically get the results and report in one to two weeks.
References
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