OneMRI: 10 Key Things You Must Know

Overview

OneMRI is an Australian health technology startup specializing in providing whole-body MRI scans aimed at preventive healthcare. Launched in 2024 by the co-founders of the education tech company Go1 along with entrepreneur Gopi Sara, OneMRI has positioned itself as Australia’s first national provider of comprehensive whole-body MRI scanning services. With a strong focus on early detection of over 500 potential health conditions including cancers, metabolic disorders, autoimmune diseases, spinal degeneration, and brain aneurysms, OneMRI offers a novel approach to empower individuals in proactively managing their health. Supported by a $2.5 million seed funding round and partnerships with radiology clinics across major Australian cities, OneMRI endeavors to make advanced preventive imaging more accessible and integrated into routine healthcare. This article explores the key facets of OneMRI, its pricing, technological approach, its relationship and comparison with competitors like Prenuvo in Australia, and the broader context of full-body MRI costs and private healthcare services in the region.

1. Founding and Business Model

OneMRI was founded in October 2024 by Dr. Vu Tran and Andrew Barnes, veterans from Go1’s founding team, alongside electrical engineer and entrepreneur Gopi Sara. Building on their success in ed-tech, the founders ventured into healthcare technology to revolutionise preventive care in Australia through whole-body MRI scanning. Leveraging underutilized MRI machines in existing radiology clinics running at about 30% capacity nationally, OneMRI acts as a network coordinator, partnering with providers like Scan Medical and Pinnacle Medical Imaging while maintaining strict clinical oversight. Their patient-centric model includes pre- and post-scan consultations carried out by qualified clinicians, with radiologist-reviewed reports explained in plain language, aiming to enhance patient understanding and engagement. This approach both optimizes resource use in the Australian healthcare landscape and aims to shift healthcare from reactive to proactive paradigms.

2. Clinical and Technological Features

OneMRI offers radiation-free, contrast-free whole-body MRI scans that provide a multi-organ snapshot in approximately 45 to 60 minutes. Their technology identifies more than 500 potential conditions ranging from early-stage cancers to degenerative musculoskeletal and neurological disorders, leveraging advanced MRI sequences, including anatomical and diffusion-weighted imaging, for improved sensitivity. Clinical rigor is maintained by ensuring all scans are read by accredited radiologists belonging to the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR), and patients receive detailed consultations to contextualize findings and discuss further steps. OneMRI emphasizes that its offerings complement rather than replace diagnostic tests tailored for specific clinical needs, acknowledging the limitations inherent in a broad preventive screening tool.

3. Pricing and Access in Australia

OneMRI offers a straightforward pricing model with a standard comprehensive whole-body MRI priced at AUD 2,990. This includes the scan, radiologist review, and a doctor consultation to explain results. The company is working towards an annual health plan that would support yearly scans with longitudinal tracking, priority bookings, and member benefits. While private health insurance coverage for preventive MRI scans remains largely unavailable in Australia, OneMRI’s in-network partnerships enable broad geographic access, currently operating in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Perth, Sydney, Newcastle, and Melbourne, with ambitions for further expansion within the Asia Pacific region.

4. Preventive Healthcare Philosophy

OneMRI targets the "health curious," individuals who wish to take an autonomous, proactive approach to their health outside of symptomatic care. This preventive philosophy stems from co-founder Dr Vu Tran’s experience as a general practitioner witnessing a gap in accessible, comprehensive imaging for early detection. OneMRI strives to empower patients with actionable insights through effective communication and rigorous eligibility screening, prioritizing patient safety and minimizing harm from indeterminate findings. This model aligns with global trends emphasizing wellness and longevity but challenges incur rigour in balancing benefit versus potential overdiagnosis and patient anxiety.

5. OneMRI Versus Prenuvo in the Australian Market

Prenuvo, a major North American preventive full-body MRI provider, has established a presence in Australia, with clinics in Melbourne and other major cities, offering similar comprehensive scanning services. Prenuvo’s pricing ranges from AUD 2,499 for a full-body scan to about AUD 3,500 for enhanced package options including blood tests and neurological assessments. Like OneMRI, Prenuvo targets early detection of hundreds of conditions but requires referrals in some jurisdictions and integrates AI-enabled imaging analysis heavily. The competitive landscape highlights differences in business models—Prenuvo operates its own clinics, focusing on end-to-end patient experience, while OneMRI operates a B2B partnership model to reduce costs and leverage existing imaging capacity. Both emphasize clinical excellence but vary in pricing, service delivery, and patient engagement frameworks.

6. Full Body MRI Scan Costs and Context in Australia

General costs for full-body MRI scans in Australia typically range between AUD 2,000 and AUD 3,500 depending on provider, scan extent, and associated services such as consultations and reports. Medicare rebates generally do not cover preventive whole-body MRIs except under specific rare genetic risk conditions, leaving patients with significant out-of-pocket expenses. Private insurers usually exclude these scans from coverage, though some individuals have successfully claimed partial reimbursements. Private radiology providers often offer packages with variable scan times (from 45 minutes to over 90 minutes) and differing levels of patient amenities, such as audiovisual entertainment during scanning. Access to MRI can be constrained by geographic location and wait times, particularly outside major metropolitan areas.

7. Integration with Private MRI Services in Perth and Across Australia

OneMRI’s operational model includes partnerships with private radiology providers across Australia, including clinics in Perth that offer MRI scanning services. These providers use advanced MRI equipment, including 1.5T to 3T scanners, with associated specialist radiologists interpreting the scans. Private providers like Envision Medical Imaging, Perth Radiological Clinic, and Western Radiology maintain reputations for quality and patient care but vary in availability, pricing, and services such as sedation for claustrophobic patients. These networks enable OneMRI to scale service delivery nationally without directly investing in dedicated imaging facilities.

8. Patient Experience and Consultation Process

OneMRI distinguishes its service by embedding both pre-scan eligibility consultation and post-scan doctor reviews, which help demystify MRI results for patients and aid in clinical decision-making. This comprehensive communication aims to mitigate patient anxiety from incidental or unexpected findings and ensures informed consent. The scan experience is designed to be patient-friendly, reducing typical MRI discomforts. The company provides access to friendly support teams and care coordinators at all stages, generating positive patient testimonials focused on ease of booking, clarity of results, and personalized care.

9. Challenges and Controversies

While the preventive whole-body MRI market is expanding, several medical professionals caution about unintended consequences including overdiagnosis, false positives, psychological stress, and costly unnecessary follow-ups. The American College of Radiology currently does not endorse whole-body MRI screening for asymptomatic individuals outside high-risk populations. Economic challenges also exist due to high scan costs and limited insurance support, leading to concerns over healthcare equity and accessibility. OneMRI focuses on mitigating these challenges by rigorous patient screening and clinical oversight, but ongoing evaluation and evidence generation remain critical.

10. Future Prospects and Expansion Plans

With initial seed funding and active clinical partnerships, OneMRI is poised for growth in Australia’s preventive health market, leveraging technological advancement and evolving consumer health awareness. Plans include expansion into regional and underserved areas within Australia and broader rollout in the Asia Pacific region. Innovations such as annual health plans and integration of AI tools for scan interpretation and health tracking are in development. OneMRI’s growth corresponds with a global shift towards personalized, proactive health management, aiming to establish whole-body MRI screening as part of routine preventive care.

Conclusion

OneMRI represents a pioneering stride in Australia’s preventive health landscape by democratizing access to comprehensive whole-body MRI scans. Founded by experienced health technology entrepreneurs, the company leverages underutilized imaging resources and emphasizes clinical expertise, patient-centered communication, and ethical screening protocols. With a competitive price point and national reach, OneMRI aims to empower individuals seeking early detection and long-term wellness management. Alongside emerging competitors such as Prenuvo, OneMRI reflects the rising demand for preventive care tools, though ongoing dialogue about clinical efficacy, cost-effectiveness, and accessibility remains essential. The future of whole-body MRI scanning in Australia looks promising yet demands vigilant research, regulatory clarity, and service evolution to optimize benefits for all patients in the evolving healthcare ecosystem.