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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.
Santa Monica, California

Cost of a Brain MRI Visit
in Santa Monica

Santa Monica's premium coastal healthcare market includes major medical centers like UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center and Saint John's Health Center. Patients in Santa Monica pay between $85 and $531 for a Brain MRI visit, with a median of $85. The city has 0 active providers according to insurance data (0 individual practitioners, 0 group practices).

Cost Summary for Brain MRI in Santa Monica

Low Estimate

$85

Median

$85

High Estimate

$531

Providers

385

National avg: $478Santa Monica: $85

82% 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$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 (this city)$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 Santa Monica

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

Without insurance, Brain MRI visits in Santa Monica range from $85 to $531, with a median cost of $85. The final amount depends on visit complexity and the specific provider you choose. This represents excellent value compared to other California cities where medians often exceed $200.

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

New patient consultations typically cost more than follow-up visits due to the additional time required for initial evaluation. In Santa Monica, established patient visits (CPT 99214) have a median cost of $85. Pricing for new patient consultations varies based on complexity level and provider.

Are there lower-cost Brain MRI options in cities near Santa Monica?

Santa Monica already offers some of California's most competitive Brain MRI pricing with a median of $85. Most nearby cities have significantly higher costs, including San Francisco at $227 and La Jolla at $272. Santa Monica patients are already accessing below-average pricing for the region.

How do I find a highly rated, affordable Brain MRI in Santa Monica?

Start by comparing the cost ranges shown above, which reflect actual insurance negotiated rates from $85 to $531. Look for providers at the lower end of this range while checking patient reviews and credentials. Insurance transparency data helps identify the most cost-effective options in your area.

What should I expect to pay for a Brain MRI visit in Santa Monica with insurance?

With insurance, your out-of-pocket cost depends on your specific plan's copay, deductible, and coinsurance structure. Insurance companies have negotiated rates ranging from $85 to $531 with Santa Monica providers. Contact your insurance company to understand your exact responsibility based on your benefits.

How many Brain MRIs are currently practicing in Santa Monica?

According to insurance transparency data, there are currently 0 active Brain MRI providers listed specifically in Santa Monica. This may reflect providers practicing under different specialty classifications or locations just outside city limits. Patients may need to consider nearby areas for Brain MRI services.

Find an Affordable Brain MRI in Santa Monica — Powered by AI

Understanding Brain MRI costs in Santa Monica helps you make informed healthcare decisions based on real insurance data. Get personalized cost estimates and provider recommendations for your specific insurance plan and medical needs.

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 Santa Monica, 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, Santa Monica, 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.