Discussion: I have prolonged abdominal pain. I went to my attending physician for an MRI, and he politely refused me, claiming there was no need.

MRI imaging is a costly test relative to alternatives (CT, ultrasound, and the like). Doctors keep the MRI test for several more urgent conditions, including cancer patients, fear of cancerous tumors, complex surgeries, and life-threatening situations, including heart problems. This inevitably means that many patients are refused an MRI even with comprehensive health insurance. Some countries produce a deliberate shortage of MRI equipment to avoid the high financial outlay.