Costs of MRI. A calculation for the Netherlands

A calculation of the costs of magnetic resonance (MR) using a machine with a field strength of 0.5 and 1.5 T is presented for the Netherlands. The costs per patient are 1,000 Dfl. and approximately 1,200 Dfl., respectively. Because the total number of MRI facilities in the Netherlands is strictly limited, also the costs of scientific research in the field of MRI have to be taken into account. It is possible to calculate the hourly costs of research on a time-sharing basis for a 1.5-Tesla machine. Combining patient care and scientific research on one machine has a reciprocal influence on the costs.