How to Beat Diagnostic Imaging Wait Times in AB
Originally published in early 2025, this article has been updated in February 2026 to reflect Alberta's recent policy changes.
Have you been waiting far too long for an MRI, CT scan or PET scan in Alberta?
MRI, CT scans, PET scans and other imaging procedure wait times can feel excessively long, especially for those of us in major centres like Calgary and Edmonton. According to GoodCaring.ca, the average wait time for an MRI in Alberta, Canada is approximately 18 weeks, and ranging from 11 - 49 weeks, and wait times for a CT scan in AB range from 6 - 46 weeks, depending on the facility.
This graph provided by a CBC report indicates wait times for CT and MRI scans in Alberta from 2015 to 2019. The red line indicates target wait times, with Priority 1-3 indicating priority assigned, based on the seriousness of a condition. Not only have actual wait times far surpassed targets, they have worsened year over year.
Have independent clinics changed in 2026?
In 2025, the Alberta government changed the rules for how people can receive diagnostic imaging like MRIs and CT scans, especially at independent clinics in the community. Under the new system, publicly funded MRI and CT scans for Alberta Health Services (AHS) patients are now handled through more centralized, province‑wide processes. Many of these scans are now being booked into AHS‑run hospitals and facilities with centrally-managed waitlists, instead of being scheduled with an independent clinic because a doctor sent the request there.
This means that for most people who have a standard AHS requisition, “shopping around” between independent clinics will not help get you a faster AHS‑funded MRI or CT in 2025 the way it sometimes did a few years ago. If AHS has not authorized your scan to be done at a particular independent site, that clinic typically cannot bill AHS to do it for you. Some independent clinics still offer privately paid MRIs and CTs, but those are out‑of‑pocket services and are separate from the AHS‑funded wait‑list.
Is MIC our only option?
Medical Imaging Consultants (MIC) is one of the largest chain of radiology clinics in the province, offering a wide range of diagnostic medical imaging services, including X-rays, MRIs, CT scans and ultrasounds. MIC also has partnerships with hospitals, giving it additional influence in the diagnostic imaging market.
Because many physicians still use MIC‑branded requisition forms, it can look like MIC is the only place you can go.
However, this is not the case!
There are still multiple radiology providers and clinic brands in Alberta—such as Insight Medical Imaging, Mayfair Diagnostics, Canada Diagnostic Centres and others—that perform various imaging tests. However, the key difference in 2025 is that AHS‑funded CT and MRI scans in these independent clinics usually must be explicitly arranged or approved through AHS rather than simply booked directly by patients on a standard requisition.
So, MIC is not your only possible imaging provider, but the path to using other clinics for AHS‑funded CT and MRI scans is more controlled and centralized than it used to be.
What if I need an MRI or CT scan sooner?
If your scan is urgent or your symptoms are getting worse, the most powerful advocate for you is still your doctor or nurse practitioner. To improve your chances of a sooner MRI or CT scan in Alberta:
Ask whether your current priority level (urgent, semi‑urgent, or routine) still matches what’s happening with your health. If your symptoms have changed or worsened, your provider can update the requisition or submit a new one.
Highlight any “red‑flag” symptoms that suggest a time‑sensitive or serious condition, such as new or escalating neurological changes, rapid weight loss, significant mobility loss, or signs of infection or cancer progression. These factors can justify triaging your scan sooner.
Ask your provider to contact AHS radiology or central booking to push your case for an earlier slot, especially if new clinical details or your functional status have clearly changed.
If your symptoms suddenly escalate—such as acute weakness, trouble with balance, severe shortness of breath, or potential stroke signs—go to urgent care or the emergency department. In‑hospital urgent and emergent imaging is still prioritized and usually done within hours when medically necessary.
If you need imaging ASAP, keep being a squeaky wheel with your doctor: update them whenever your condition changes, ask clear questions about urgency, and ask them to re‑assess and re‑triage your case with AHS when appropriate.
Alternatively, some people who can afford it choose privately paid MRI or CT scans at independent clinics. These scans can often be done sooner, but they are out‑of‑pocket and follow the newer provincial rules for private imaging access, not the public AHS wait‑list.
On a positive note, under the 2025‑announced changes, if a privately paid MRI or CT scan reveals a significant or critical illness, the Alberta government says it will reimburse patients for the cost of that test, so that “no Albertan pays for a medically necessary scan”.
Choosing a medical imaging clinic in 2026
For tests (other than MRI and CT scans) that are still routinely offered in community clinics—such as X‑rays, many ultrasounds, bone density scans and some specialized procedures—the factors you consider when choosing a clinic are similar to prior years:
Availability of equipment: Confirm the clinic offers the specific test you need (e.g., ultrasound, X‑ray, bone density, mammogram, or pain management injections).
Wait times: Ask for the next available appointment date for your test at each clinic you are considering.
Patient‑centred care: Read reviews, talk to your doctor’s office, or ask friends about staff communication, accessibility and how sensitive they are to pain, mobility or anxiety concerns.
Flexible hours: Evening or weekend appointments can make it easier to coordinate with work, caregiving and transportation.
Payment and coverage: Clarify whether the test is billed to AHS or is private pay, and confirm any costs in advance so there are no surprises.
Even with the 2025 policy changes, exploring different locations and asking detailed questions may still help you access certain types of diagnostic imaging more quickly and in a setting that feels safe and supportive.
In conclusion
Due to 2025 policy changes, independent clinics in Alberta are no longer a simple “shortcut” to AHS‑funded CT and MRI scans, unless AHS specifically requests and approves your scan to be done there. If your symptoms are worsening and you need imaging urgently, the most powerful thing you can do is to stay in close contact with your doctor, clearly describe how your condition is changing, and keep advocating—together—for your scan to be triaged and booked as soon as medically appropriate.
And if advocating for yourself feels impossible or overwhelming to you or a loved one, please reach out. As an independent Patient Advocate serving all of Alberta, I will work to get you the answers, treatment and support you need, sooner.
Links & Resources
What is a Patient Advocate (and what do they do?)
Google Maps - search nearby diagnostic imaging clinics + read reviews
PatientOptions.ca - a comprehensive list of Alberta diagnostic medical imaging locations
