Cost of a Brain MRI Visit
in Arizona
Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC
Arizona's healthcare market operates approximately 5% above national cost averages, with robust competition among major insurers like UHC, BCBS Arizona, and Aetna helping moderate Brain MRI pricing across the state. Patients typically pay between $99.70 and $550.21 for Brain MRI services, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $215.34 based on negotiated insurance rates. Arizona maintains a strong network of 4,828 active Brain MRI providers across urban centers like Phoenix and Tucson, as well as rural communities throughout the state.
Average
$288
Median
$215
Lowest
$100
Highest
$550
Providers
4,828
40% below national average
Compare Similar Procedures
How does mri brain compare to related procedures in Arizona?
| Procedure | CPT | Low | Median | High | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MRI Knee MRI of the knee without contrast | 73721 | $59 | $139 | $350 | 5,301 |
| MRI Lumbar Spine MRI of the lumbar spine without contrast | 72148 | $65 | $123 | $356 | 4,375 |
| CT Abdomen & Pelvis CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast | 74177 | $79 | $203 | $482 | 7,431 |
| CT Chest CT scan of the chest with contrast | 71260 | $54 | $115 | $267 | 6,691 |
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.
Why Brain MRI Visit Costs Vary Across Arizona
Arizona's healthcare costs run approximately 5% above national averages, driven by rapid population growth and concentrated urban markets in Phoenix and Tucson. The state's vast rural geography creates significant cost disparities, with remote areas facing limited provider competition and higher overhead costs.
Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability
Phoenix and Tucson metropolitan areas concentrate most of Arizona's Brain MRI providers, creating competitive pricing in these urban centers. Rural counties like Cochise, Graham, and Greenlee often have limited or no local imaging options, forcing patients to travel long distances and pay premium rates. The Navajo Nation and other tribal areas face particular access challenges, with many residents traveling to Flagstaff or Phoenix for specialized imaging services.
Facility Type and Overhead Costs
Hospital-based imaging at major Arizona health systems like Banner Health, HonorHealth, and Valleywise Health typically carries higher facility fees due to overhead costs and emergency department capabilities. Independent imaging centers throughout the Valley and Tucson offer competitive rates with lower overhead structures. Many outpatient imaging centers have opened in retail locations and medical office buildings, providing convenient access at reduced costs compared to hospital facilities.
Insurance Market Competition in Arizona
Arizona's insurance marketplace features strong competition among UHC, BCBS Arizona, and Aetna, helping moderate negotiated rates for Brain MRI services. The state's ACA marketplace offers multiple carrier options in most counties, creating competitive pressure on pricing. Rural counties may have limited insurer choices, potentially leading to higher negotiated rates where competition is reduced.
Physician Supply and Demand in Arizona
With 4,828 active Brain MRI providers, Arizona maintains adequate radiologist supply in urban areas but faces shortages in rural regions. The state's growing retiree population increases demand for diagnostic imaging services, particularly in areas like Scottsdale, Sedona, and Sun City. Telemedicine and remote interpretation services help bridge gaps in rural areas, though local imaging facilities remain limited outside major metropolitan regions.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions — Brain MRI Costs in Arizona
What is the average cost of a Brain MRI visit in Arizona without insurance?
Does Arizona Medicaid cover Brain MRI visits?
How do I find an affordable Brain MRI near me in Arizona?
What is the difference in cost between an initial consultation and a follow-up visit?
Can I use an HSA or FSA to pay for a Brain MRI visit in Arizona?
How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Brain MRI in Arizona?
Click a state to compare costs
Average Visit Cost
Office visit (CPT 70553)
Compare With Other States
| Rank | State | Average↓ |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Dakota Range: $221 – $3,100 | $1,291 |
| 2 | Minnesota Range: $88 – $3,100 | $1,247 |
| 3 | Wisconsin Range: $80 – $2,464 | $975 |
| 4 | Nevada Range: $135 – $1,458 | $698 |
| 5 | Georgia Range: $101 – $1,468 | $653 |
| 6 | Hawaii Range: $88 – $1,014 | $577 |
| 7 | Massachusetts Range: $90 – $1,060 | $567 |
| 8 | Maine Range: $178 – $1,023 | $548 |
| 9 | Wyoming Range: $100 – $1,112 | $537 |
| 10 | Utah Range: $94 – $1,045 | $510 |
| 11 | Nebraska Range: $208 – $793 | $504 |
| 12 | New Mexico Range: $98 – $1,063 | $492 |
| 13 | New Hampshire Range: $129 – $993 | $489 |
| 14 | Washington Range: $100 – $863 | $489 |
| 15 | North Carolina Range: $99 – $988 | $485 |
| 16 | Iowa Range: $95 – $842 | $483 |
| 17 | Colorado Range: $95 – $1,015 | $475 |
| 18 | Indiana Range: $85 – $1,014 | $471 |
| 19 | Louisiana Range: $92 – $766 | $468 |
| 20 | Alaska Range: $97 – $948 | $454 |
| 21 | South Dakota Range: $247 – $552 | $450 |
| 22 | West Virginia Range: $98 – $687 | $446 |
| 23 | Vermont Range: $82 – $983 | $443 |
| 24 | Virginia Range: $76 – $970 | $437 |
| 25 | Michigan Range: $80 – $917 | $430 |
| 26 | Rhode Island Range: $88 – $879 | $429 |
| 27 | Idaho Range: $88 – $793 | $428 |
| 28 | District of Columbia Range: $90 – $879 | $426 |
| 29 | Oregon Range: $103 – $623 | $426 |
| 30 | Illinois Range: $93 – $842 | $417 |
| 31 | New York Range: $82 – $926 | $417 |
| 32 | Tennessee Range: $109 – $823 | $417 |
| 33 | Montana Range: $100 – $590 | $414 |
| 34 | Kansas Range: $107 – $818 | $401 |
| 35 | Kentucky Range: $83 – $842 | $398 |
| 36 | South Carolina Range: $82 – $829 | $390 |
| 37 | Alabama Range: $88 – $811 | $384 |
| 38 | Pennsylvania Range: $57 – $879 | $384 |
| 39 | Oklahoma Range: $85 – $817 | $377 |
| 40 | Mississippi Range: $89 – $811 | $376 |
| 41 | New Jersey Range: $63 – $830 | $374 |
| 42 | Ohio Range: $78 – $813 | $373 |
| 43 | Texas Range: $90 – $721 | $355 |
| 44 | Maryland Range: $46 – $737 | $351 |
| 45 | Delaware Range: $98 – $596 | $345 |
| 46 | Missouri Range: $115 – $628 | $342 |
| 47 | Arkansas Range: $104 – $630 | $340 |
| 48 | Connecticut Range: $55 – $777 | $337 |
| 49 | Florida Range: $35 – $811 | $302 |
| 50 | Arizona Range: $100 – $550 | $288 |
| 51 | California Range: $55 – $654 | $265 |