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By Jayant Panwar, Healthcare Data AnalystUpdated April 5, 2026Editorial policy
Disclaimer: This page provides cost comparison data sourced from insurer Transparency in Coverage files. It is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical decisions.Learn about our data methodology.
La Jolla, California

Cost of a Brain MRI Visit
in La Jolla

La Jolla's concentrated healthcare market, anchored by UC San Diego Health and Scripps Health systems, offers specialized neuroimaging services throughout the coastal community. Patients in La Jolla pay between $80 and $823 for a Brain MRI visit, with a median of $272. Currently, there are 0 active providers in our database (0 individual practitioners, 0 group practices).

Cost Summary for Brain MRI in La Jolla

Low Estimate

$80

Median

$272

High Estimate

$823

Providers

26

National avg: $478La Jolla: $272

43% below national average

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 70553MRI 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.

Brain MRI Visit Costs by City in California2026

Brain MRI visit costs across cities in California
CityMin CostMedian CostMax Cost
Roseville$80$552$639
Arcadia$80$439$2,737
South Lake Tahoe$178$376$1,298
Pomona$80$291$1,101
Fresno$69$280$2,532
La Jolla (this city)$80$272$823
Turlock$80$243$839
San Leandro$58$240$739
San Francisco$80$227$751
Loma Linda$73$227$751
Glendale$86$215$672
Rancho Mirage$80$215$1,898
Santa Rosa$80$210$649
Oakland$60$208$842
San Diego$73$193$1,045
Thousand Oaks$85$187$556
San Jose$80$173$329
Los Gatos$80$173$717
Santa Clara$80$173$597
Campbell$80$173$552
Milpitas$126$173$173
Morgan Hill$80$173$390
Ventura$85$135$443
Bakersfield$70$123$585
Tustin$25$121$870
Northridge$76$121$470
Redondo Beach$83$117$552
San Mateo$80$114$862
San Luis Obispo$80$111$571
Pleasanton$80$104$552
Los Altos$80$103$751
Riverside$25$100$1,051
Pasadena$80$95$606
West Hollywood$90$90$420
Beverly Hills$85$90$456
Marina Del Rey$85$90$387
Tarzana$85$90$90
Duarte$25$90$918
Culver City$82$90$482
Woodland Hills$85$90$989
Santa Barbara$73$88$654
Anaheim$25$88$552
Los Angeles$80$85$539
Santa Monica$85$85$531
Torrance$80$85$552
Burbank$85$85$213
Encino$85$85$552
Valencia$85$85$506
Van Nuys$80$85$759
Westlake Village$85$85$198
Mission Viejo$25$85$494
Sylmar$52$85$596
West Hills$81$85$732
Porter Ranch$77$85$85
Simi Valley$81$85$828
Manhattan Beach$85$85$435
Whittier$35$85$552
Calabasas$80$85$85
Los Alamitos$25$85$467
Santa Clarita$83$85$90
Sherman Oaks$83$85$1,731
Stanford$80$80$315
Palo Alto$80$80$171
Irvine$25$80$500
Modesto$80$80$147
Mountain View$80$80$552
Newport Beach$25$80$634
Long Beach$25$80$806
Palm Springs$25$80$85
Redwood City$80$80$377
Menlo Park$80$80$303
Santa Ana$25$80$147
Fremont$80$80$552
Fountain Valley$25$80$299
Fullerton$25$80$572
Salinas$80$80$755
Yorba Linda$25$80$90
Sunnyvale$80$80$173
Burlingame$80$80$84
Emeryville$80$80$80
Livermore$80$80$461
Laguna Hills$25$60$441
Costa Mesa$25$52$80

Costs reflect self-pay estimates based on insurer-negotiated rates. Insured patients may pay significantly less depending on plan type, deductible status, and network tier.

Compare Similar Procedures

How does mri brain compare to related procedures in California?

ProcedureCPTLowMedianHighProviders
MRI Knee

MRI of the knee without contrast

73721$75$80$50510,126
MRI Lumbar Spine

MRI of the lumbar spine without contrast

72148$72$96$4706,585
CT Abdomen & Pelvis

CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast

74177$70$85$67215,496
CT Chest

CT scan of the chest with contrast

71260$25$85$52110,242
JP

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 La Jolla

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

The median cost for a Brain MRI visit in La Jolla is $272 for uninsured patients. Prices range from $80 at the lowest to $823 at the highest, depending on the complexity of the consultation and specific provider pricing. Most patients can expect to pay somewhere within this range based on their individual case needs.

How much more does a new patient consultation cost compared to a follow-up in La Jolla?

New patient Brain MRI consultations typically cost more than follow-up visits due to the additional time required for comprehensive history taking and initial assessment. Follow-up visits in La Jolla show a median cost of $272 for moderate complexity cases (CPT 99214). The price difference reflects the varying levels of clinical work involved in each type of appointment.

Are there lower-cost Brain MRI options in cities near La Jolla?

Yes, several nearby California cities offer more affordable Brain MRI services than La Jolla's median of $272. Loma Linda and San Francisco both show median costs of $227, representing potential savings of $45 per visit. San Leandro also offers competitive pricing at $240 median cost for similar services.

How do I find a highly rated, affordable Brain MRI in La Jolla?

Look for providers within La Jolla's lower pricing range of $80 to $272 while checking patient reviews and board certifications. Many quality providers offer transparent pricing and accept various insurance plans. Consider scheduling consultations with multiple providers to compare both cost and clinical approach.

What should I expect to pay for a Brain MRI visit in La Jolla with insurance?

Insurance coverage significantly affects your out-of-pocket costs, though the underlying provider charges still range from $80 to $823 in La Jolla. Your actual payment depends on your specific plan's deductible, copay structure, and whether the provider is in-network. Contact your insurance company to verify coverage details before scheduling.

How many Brain MRIs are currently practicing in La Jolla?

Our current database shows 0 active Brain MRI providers in La Jolla, including both individual practitioners and group practices. This number reflects providers with transparent pricing data available. Additional specialists may practice in the area through hospital systems or may not yet have pricing transparency information available.

Find an Affordable Brain MRI in La Jolla — Powered by AI

Get personalized Brain MRI cost estimates for your specific insurance plan and medical needs in La Jolla. Our AI-powered tool connects you with local providers and provides real-time pricing transparency to help you make informed healthcare decisions.

MRI Brain in Other California Cities
View all California mri brain costs
JP

Jayant Panwar

CEO & Healthcare Data Analyst, Momentary Labs

Last updated: April 5, 2026

About This Data

Cost data sourced from Transparency in Coverage (TiC) machine-readable files published by UnitedHealthcare as required by the CMS Price Transparency Rule. These are actual negotiated rates between insurers and providers — not estimates.

Prices shown are for MRI brain without contrast, then with contrast (CPT 70553) in La Jolla, California.

Actual out-of-pocket costs depend on your insurance plan, deductible, coinsurance, and services received. This is not medical advice.

About this page

Data source: UnitedHealthcare Transparency in Coverage machine-readable files, CPT 70553, La Jolla, California providers. Rates represent in-network negotiated amounts and may vary by plan type.

Editorial policy: Momentary Labs does not accept payment from providers, hospitals, or insurers to influence cost rankings or editorial content. Read our full editorial policy.

Corrections: If you believe any cost figure or clinical information on this page is inaccurate, please report it here. We review all submissions within 5 business days.