Will Medicare pay for more than one MRI in a year in the same area?

There is no special Medicare rule limiting the number of MRI exams it will cover for a patient in one year. Whether Medicare Part B medical insurance will pay for any MRI ? or for any other medical service -- depends on Medicare's determination that it is "medically necessary." In your case, that depends on how well your doctor explains to Medicare why your second MRI on the same area is necessary. There are certainly plenty of legitimate reasons to have more than one MRI, so your doctor might not have any problem getting Medicare authorization. Discuss with your doctor the question of Medicare authorization for the MRI. If your doctor expresses any doubt that Medicare will cover your second MRI, make sure to have the doctor go through the official Medicare paperwork and receive actual approval before you have the MRI exam.