How much does an MRI cost without insurance?

Cash prices published by 128 hospitals and imaging centers in 4 metro areas, next to what insurers negotiated.

Hospital files dated January 1, 2026 – September 25, 2026 · Data checked October 2, 2026 · How we read these files · Report an error

Published cash price

$223–$37,348

what 128 hospitals and imaging centers list for a self-pay MRI

Typical insured rate

$1,592

median of every commercial plan rate in the files

Lowest insured rate

$142

BCBS (ALL PRODUCTS), Valleywise Health Medical Center

By procedure

MRI
Procedure	Published cash price	Typical insured rate	Lowest insured rate	Hospitals
Brain MRICPT 70551	$232–$32,113	$1,503	$150	129
Brain MRI with contrastCPT 70553	$343–$37,348	$1,711	$248	129
Neck MRICPT 72141	$229–$22,010	$1,480	$142	129
Lower back MRICPT 72148	$227–$26,406	$1,476	$143	129
Knee MRICPT 73721	$227–$21,496	$1,535	$164	127
Shoulder MRICPT 73221	$232–$26,174	$1,476	$164	127
Abdominal MRICPT 74183	$343–$33,074	$1,718	$258	129
Pelvic MRICPT 72195	$223–$23,584	$1,519	$174	129
Breast MRICPT 77049	$351–$14,794	$1,679	$238	105

Bars use a log scale. The coral bar runs from the lowest to the highest published cash price; the blue dot marks the typical insured rate.