Alaska

Cost of a Brain MRI Visit
in Alaska

Name: MRI Brain Cost in Alaska (2026)
Creator: Jayant Panwar
Published: 2026-03-18

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

Alaska's remote geography and limited specialist network create unique healthcare access challenges, with Brain MRI costs ranging from $96.88 to $947.65 based on negotiated insurance rates. The state's 43 active providers serve scattered communities across vast distances, making cost comparison particularly valuable for patients facing deductibles or out-of-network situations.

Average

$454

Median

$317

Lowest

$97

Highest

$948

Providers

National avg: $478Alaska: $454

5% below national average

Compare Similar Procedures

How does mri brain compare to related procedures in Alaska?

Procedure	CPT	Low	Median	High	Providers
MRI Knee MRI of the knee without contrast	73721	$59	$198	$527	47
MRI Lumbar Spine MRI of the lumbar spine without contrast	72148	$73	$2,851	$2,851	361
CT Abdomen & Pelvis CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast	74177	$85	$1,834	$1,834	375
CT Chest CT scan of the chest with contrast	71260	$54	$169	$449	58

Important: These are cost estimates only — not a quote and not medical advice.

The prices on this page are self-pay rates, drawn from federal Transparency in Coverage machine-readable files (CPT 70553 — MRI brain without contrast, then with contrast). They represent what a patient might pay without insurance.

Your actual cost depends on: your specific insurance plan, your remaining deductible, your coinsurance percentage, whether you have met your out-of-pocket maximum, whether the facility and provider are both in-network, and any separate anesthesia or implant fees billed independently.

This page does not constitute medical advice. Whether you need this procedure, and which approach is right for you, is a decision to make with a licensed healthcare provider.

Where this data comes from & what CPT 70553 covers

Data source: Cost figures are derived from UnitedHealthcare Transparency in Coverage machine-readable files for CPT code 70553 (MRI brain without contrast, then with contrast), as mandated by the CMS Price Transparency Rule.

What CPT 70553 covers: the provider's professional fee for mri brain. It does not include facility/hospital fees, anesthesia, pre-operative imaging, post-operative care, or any add-on codes billed separately.

How to read this data

Negotiated Rate

The discounted price an insurer has agreed to pay a specific provider. Most insured patients' bills are calculated from this number, not the higher list price hospitals publish separately.

P5, Median, P95

P5 is the rate at the 5th percentile (low end), Median is the middle value, and P95 is the 95th percentile (high end). This range shows how much the same visit can vary between providers.

What this does not tell you

These rates do not tell you what you personally will pay out of pocket. That depends on your specific plan, how much of your deductible you have already met, your coinsurance rate, and whether the provider is in your network. Call your insurer's member line to get your exact estimate.

Full data methodology and glossary

Why Brain MRI Visit Costs Vary Across Alaska

Alaska's healthcare costs run approximately 35% above national levels due to the state's extreme geographic isolation and challenging logistics for medical equipment and staffing. The Last Frontier's unique combination of urban centers like Anchorage and remote bush communities creates stark disparities in specialist access and pricing.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

Most of Alaska's 43 Brain MRI providers concentrate in Anchorage and Fairbanks, leaving rural regions dependent on expensive fly-in specialists or costly patient transport. This geographic concentration forces many Alaskans to factor travel and lodging costs into their total healthcare expenses, sometimes doubling the effective cost of specialist care.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Hospital-based neurology clinics in Alaska face extreme overhead from heating costs, equipment transport, and staff retention bonuses required to attract specialists to the state. Providence Alaska Medical Center and Alaska Regional Hospital dominate the market, with their facility fees often adding 50-80% to base consultation costs compared to independent practices.

Insurance Market Competition in Alaska

Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska holds dominant market position with limited competition from other carriers, reducing negotiating pressure on provider rates. This concentrated insurance market, combined with Alaska's small population base, gives providers more leverage in rate negotiations compared to states with robust insurer competition.

Physician Supply and Demand in Alaska

With only 43 active Brain MRI providers serving Alaska's 730,000 residents, the state faces significant specialist shortages that drive up consultation fees and extend wait times. Many neurologists split time between Alaska and Lower 48 practices, creating scheduling constraints that allow premium pricing for available appointment slots.

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Jayant Panwar

CEO, Momentary Labs · San Francisco, CA

Jayant has analyzed healthcare pricing data from CMS Transparency in Coverage files since 2022, covering more than 50 million negotiated rate records across all 50 states. His work focuses on making insurer machine-readable files accessible to patients and researchers.

The cost figures on this page reflect his ongoing work to make this data accessible to patients.

Healthcare Data AnalyticsCMS TiC DataInsurance Price Transparency

Frequently Asked Questions — Brain MRI Costs in Alaska

What is the average cost of a Brain MRI visit in Alaska without insurance?

Uninsured patients in Alaska typically pay between $96.88 and $947.65 for Brain MRI visits, with a median cost around $316.68 based on negotiated insurance rates. Cash-pay patients should expect to negotiate from these baseline rates, as many providers offer 15-30% self-pay discounts. Alaska's limited specialist network and high overhead costs contribute to these elevated rates compared to other states.

Does Alaska Medicaid cover Brain MRI visits?

Yes, Alaska expanded Medicaid in 2015, providing Brain MRI coverage for adults earning up to 138% of federal poverty level with minimal copays typically under $10. Medicaid patients may face longer wait times due to lower reimbursement rates, but coverage includes both consultations and necessary neurological testing. Prior authorization may be required for certain specialized procedures or repeat visits.

How do I find an affordable Brain MRI near me in Alaska?

Compare costs across Alaska's 43 Brain MRI providers, focusing on independent practices which typically charge 30-50% less than hospital-based clinics. Ask about cash-pay discounts, payment plans, and consider telehealth consultations for initial evaluations when appropriate. Community health centers in Anchorage and Fairbanks may offer sliding-scale fees for qualifying patients.

What is the difference in cost between an initial consultation and a follow-up visit?

Initial Brain MRI consultations typically cost significantly more than follow-up visits due to comprehensive evaluation requirements and longer appointment times. New patient visits often involve detailed neurological examinations and treatment planning, while established patient follow-ups focus on monitoring progress and medication adjustments. The cost differential can range from 40-70% between these visit types.

Can I use an HSA or FSA to pay for a Brain MRI visit in Alaska?

Yes, Brain MRI consultations qualify as eligible medical expenses for both Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts. You can use these pre-tax dollars for specialist copays, deductibles, and any out-of-pocket costs associated with neurological care. Keep receipts and documentation for reimbursement, including any related travel expenses if seeing an out-of-town specialist.

How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Brain MRI in Alaska?

Telehealth consultations with Brain MRI specialists typically cost 20-40% less than in-person visits and eliminate travel expenses for rural Alaskans. Many neurologists offer virtual follow-up appointments and medication management through telemedicine platforms. However, initial evaluations often require in-person examination, and Alaska's remote locations sometimes face internet connectivity challenges affecting telehealth quality.

Click a state to compare costs

Average Visit Cost

$265

$1,291

Office visit (CPT 70553)

Compare With Other States

Rank	State	Average↓	Min⇅	Max⇅	Providers⇅
1	North Dakota(ND) Range: $221 – $3,100	$1,291	$221	$3,100	649
2	Minnesota(MN) Range: $88 – $3,100	$1,247	$88	$3,100	3,070
3	Wisconsin(WI) Range: $80 – $2,464	$975	$80	$2,464	4,163
4	Nevada(NV) Range: $135 – $1,458	$698	$135	$1,458	2,580
5	Georgia(GA) Range: $101 – $1,468	$653	$101	$1,468	3,018
6	Hawaii(HI) Range: $88 – $1,014	$577	$88	$1,014	99
7	Massachusetts(MA) Range: $90 – $1,060	$567	$90	$1,060	1,770
8	Maine(ME) Range: $178 – $1,023	$548	$178	$1,023	1,697
9	Wyoming(WY) Range: $100 – $1,112	$537	$100	$1,112	183
10	Utah(UT) Range: $94 – $1,045	$510	$94	$1,045	349
11	Nebraska(NE) Range: $208 – $793	$504	$208	$793	2,641
12	New Mexico(NM) Range: $98 – $1,063	$492	$98	$1,063	1,235
13	New Hampshire(NH) Range: $129 – $993	$489	$129	$993	3,685
14	Washington(WA) Range: $100 – $863	$489	$100	$863	3,337
15	North Carolina(NC) Range: $99 – $988	$485	$99	$988	2,437
16	Iowa(IA) Range: $95 – $842	$483	$95	$842	409
17	Colorado(CO) Range: $95 – $1,015	$475	$95	$1,015	1,451
18	Indiana(IN) Range: $85 – $1,014	$471	$85	$1,014	360
19	Louisiana(LA) Range: $92 – $766	$468	$92	$766	1,172
20	Alaska(AK) Range: $97 – $948	$454	$97	$948	43
21	South Dakota(SD) Range: $247 – $552	$450	$247	$552	321
22	West Virginia(WV) Range: $98 – $687	$446	$98	$687	268
23	Vermont(VT) Range: $82 – $983	$443	$82	$983	345
24	Virginia(VA) Range: $76 – $970	$437	$76	$970	3,183
25	Michigan(MI) Range: $80 – $917	$430	$80	$917	2,202
26	Rhode Island(RI) Range: $88 – $879	$429	$88	$879	84
27	Idaho(ID) Range: $88 – $793	$428	$88	$793	136
28	District of Columbia(DC) Range: $90 – $879	$426	$90	$879	333
29	Oregon(OR) Range: $103 – $623	$426	$103	$623	662
30	Illinois(IL) Range: $93 – $842	$417	$93	$842	5,703
31	New York(NY) Range: $82 – $926	$417	$82	$926	32,184
32	Tennessee(TN) Range: $109 – $823	$417	$109	$823	2,409
33	Montana(MT) Range: $100 – $590	$414	$100	$590	91
34	Kansas(KS) Range: $107 – $818	$401	$107	$818	1,840
35	Kentucky(KY) Range: $83 – $842	$398	$83	$842	225
36	South Carolina(SC) Range: $82 – $829	$390	$82	$829	1,282
37	Alabama(AL) Range: $88 – $811	$384	$88	$811	2,663
38	Pennsylvania(PA) Range: $57 – $879	$384	$57	$879	1,970
39	Oklahoma(OK) Range: $85 – $817	$377	$85	$817	2,094
40	Mississippi(MS) Range: $89 – $811	$376	$89	$811	1,312
41	New Jersey(NJ) Range: $63 – $830	$374	$63	$830	7,290
42	Ohio(OH) Range: $78 – $813	$373	$78	$813	4,538
43	Texas(TX) Range: $90 – $721	$355	$90	$721	10,894
44	Maryland(MD) Range: $46 – $737	$351	$46	$737	4,016
45	Delaware(DE) Range: $98 – $596	$345	$98	$596	199
46	Missouri(MO) Range: $115 – $628	$342	$115	$628	5,338
47	Arkansas(AR) Range: $104 – $630	$340	$104	$630	131
48	Connecticut(CT) Range: $55 – $777	$337	$55	$777	896
49	Florida(FL) Range: $35 – $811	$302	$35	$811	4,998
50	Arizona(AZ) Range: $100 – $550	$288	$100	$550	4,828
51	California(CA) Range: $55 – $654	$265	$55	$654	9,774