Cost of a Brain MRI Visit
in District of Columbia
Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC
The District of Columbia boasts the highest physician-to-population ratio in the nation, with concentrated medical expertise across its compact urban geography. Brain MRI consultations in DC typically reflect negotiated insurance rates between $90 and $879, with a median cost of $310 based on current transparency data from 333 active providers. Patients can browse all Brain MRI specialists throughout the District to compare credentials and costs before scheduling their appointment.
Average
$426
Median
$310
Lowest
$90
Highest
$879
Providers
333
11% below national average
Compare Similar Procedures
How does mri brain compare to related procedures in District of Columbia?
| Procedure | CPT | Low | Median | High | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MRI Knee MRI of the knee without contrast | 73721 | $53 | $201 | $560 | 333 |
| MRI Lumbar Spine MRI of the lumbar spine without contrast | 72148 | $59 | $191 | $527 | 331 |
| CT Abdomen & Pelvis CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast | 74177 | $72 | $266 | $827 | 350 |
| CT Chest CT scan of the chest with contrast | 71260 | $49 | $165 | $454 | 338 |
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 District of Columbia
District of Columbia's medical costs run approximately 20% above national averages, driven by high real estate costs and the concentration of federal employees with premium insurance coverage. The compact urban geography creates unique market dynamics with all providers serving essentially the same metropolitan population.
Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability
Unlike most states, DC has no rural areas, creating uniform access to Brain MRI services across all neighborhoods. This urban concentration means patients typically have multiple imaging options within a short commute, fostering price competition.
Facility Type and Overhead Costs
Hospital-based outpatient imaging at major systems like MedStar and George Washington University Hospital typically charge premium rates due to higher overhead costs. Independent imaging centers and outpatient facilities often provide the same quality Brain MRI studies at significantly lower negotiated rates.
Insurance Market Competition in District of Columbia
CareFirst BCBS, UHC, and Aetna compete aggressively for the large federal employee market in DC, leading to well-negotiated rates for imaging services. The Federal Employee Health Benefits Program creates additional pricing pressure, as these plans cover many area residents.
Physician Supply and Demand in District of Columbia
With 333 active Brain MRI providers serving a population of just over 700,000, District of Columbia has exceptional specialist density that should theoretically moderate pricing. However, high demand from the affluent, well-insured population and medical tourism from surrounding states maintains upward pressure on costs.
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 District of Columbia
What is the average cost of a Brain MRI visit in District of Columbia without insurance?
Does District of Columbia Medicaid cover Brain MRI visits?
How do I find an affordable Brain MRI near me in District of Columbia?
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 District of Columbia?
How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Brain MRI in District of Columbia?
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 |