MRI Scan: What Should It Cost?
MRI costs vary wildly — the same scan can cost $400 at an outpatient imaging center or $4,000 at a hospital. If you had an MRI at a hospital, the charges are often negotiable.
Medicare Rates for Common MRI Scan Codes
These are the 2025 national Medicare reimbursement rates. Hospital charges for uninsured patients are typically 3–10x higher.
| CPT Code | Description | Medicare (Non-Facility) | Medicare (Facility) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 70553 | MRI Brain with Contrast | $331.71 | $331.71 |
| 70551 | MRI Brain without Contrast | $204.27 | $204.27 |
| 72148 | MRI Lumbar Spine without Contrast | $198.97 | $198.97 |
| 72141 | MRI Cervical Spine without Contrast | $198.28 | $198.28 |
| 73721 | MRI Knee without Contrast | $211.42 | $211.42 |
| 70450 | CT Head without Contrast | $110.51 | $110.51 |
| 74177 | CT Abdomen & Pelvis with Contrast | $315.20 | $315.20 |
Common Billing Errors for MRI Scan
- !Radiologist read billed separately without clear disclosure
- !Contrast agent billed as a separate line item at inflated rates
- !Hospital facility fee added on top of imaging fee
- !Wrong body part coded (e.g., billing for a more expensive region)
How to Negotiate Your MRI Scan Bill
- 1Compare the price to independent imaging centers in your area — often 50–80% cheaper
- 2If you need a future MRI, ask your doctor for a referral to an outpatient center
- 3For a past bill, request itemization and challenge the facility fee separately
- 4Ask if the radiologist and facility are the same billing entity or different
Related Guides
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Analyze My BillMedicare rates shown are 2025 national averages from the CMS Physician Fee Schedule. Rates vary by geographic locality. This page is for informational purposes only.