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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.
San Luis Obispo, California

Cost of a Brain MRI Visit
in San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo's healthcare market shows limited Brain MRI provider availability, reflecting the region's smaller medical infrastructure compared to major California metro areas. Patients in San Luis Obispo pay between $80 and $571 for a Brain MRI visit, with a median of $111. The local market includes 0 active providers (0 individual practitioners, 0 group practices) based on current transparency data.

Cost Summary for Brain MRI in San Luis Obispo

Low Estimate

$80

Median

$111

High Estimate

$571

Providers

34

National avg: $478San Luis Obispo: $111

77% 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$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 (this city)$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 San Luis Obispo

What is the average cost of a Brain MRI visit in San Luis Obispo without insurance?

Uninsured patients in San Luis Obispo can expect to pay between $80 and $571 for a Brain MRI visit, with a median cost of $111. These rates represent negotiated prices between insurance companies and providers, which often serve as a baseline for self-pay pricing. The wide range reflects differences in visit complexity and provider pricing structures.

How much more does a new patient consultation cost compared to a follow-up in San Luis Obispo?

New patient Brain MRI consultations typically cost more than follow-up visits due to additional evaluation time and treatment planning requirements. Follow-up visits using CPT code 99214 show a median cost of $111 in San Luis Obispo. Specific new patient pricing data is not currently available in our transparency files for this market.

Are there lower-cost Brain MRI options in cities near San Luis Obispo?

San Luis Obispo's median Brain MRI cost of $111 is actually competitive compared to many nearby California cities. San Francisco shows higher median rates at $227, while Roseville reaches $552 median costs. Patients should consider travel expenses when evaluating options in neighboring markets, as San Luis Obispo appears to offer relatively affordable care.

How do I find a highly rated, affordable Brain MRI in San Luis Obispo?

Finding quality, affordable Brain MRI care requires comparing both patient ratings and negotiated insurance rates across providers. In San Luis Obispo, costs range from $80 to $571, with a $111 median. Current transparency data shows limited provider availability, so patients may need to expand their search to nearby markets or contact providers directly for availability.

What should I expect to pay for a Brain MRI visit in San Luis Obispo with insurance?

Insurance coverage for Brain MRI visits in San Luis Obispo varies significantly based on your specific plan, deductible, and copayment structure. With negotiated rates ranging from $80 to $571 and a median of $111, your out-of-pocket cost will depend on whether you've met your annual deductible and your plan's specialist copay requirements. Contact your insurance provider to understand your specific benefits and cost-sharing responsibilities.

How many Brain MRIs are currently practicing in San Luis Obispo?

Current transparency data shows 0 active Brain MRI providers in San Luis Obispo (0 individual practitioners and 0 group practices). This limited availability may require patients to seek care in nearby markets or work with referring physicians to identify available specialists. Provider networks can change frequently, so checking directly with insurance plans or healthcare systems may reveal additional options.

Find an Affordable Brain MRI in San Luis Obispo — Powered by AI

Understanding Brain MRI costs in San Luis Obispo starts with transparent pricing data, but your specific situation may require personalized guidance. Our AI-powered cost analysis can help you find in-network providers, estimate your out-of-pocket expenses, and identify the most affordable high-quality care options in your area.

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 San Luis Obispo, 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, San Luis Obispo, 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.