Cost of a Brain MRI Visit
in Georgia
Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC
Georgia's healthcare market operates at approximately 1% below national averages, creating more affordable options for patients seeking specialized care. Brain MRI visits in the state show significant cost variation, with negotiated insurance rates typically ranging from $100 to $1,467 based on facility type and location. With over 3,000 active providers across Georgia's diverse metropolitan and rural regions, patients have substantial options when selecting an in-network Brain MRI specialist.
Average
$653
Median
$390
Lowest
$101
Highest
$1,468
Providers
3,018
37% above national average
Compare Similar Procedures
How does mri brain compare to related procedures in Georgia?
| Procedure | CPT | Low | Median | High | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MRI Knee MRI of the knee without contrast | 73721 | $64 | $240 | $1,036 | 3,069 |
| MRI Lumbar Spine MRI of the lumbar spine without contrast | 72148 | $69 | $231 | $949 | 2,964 |
| CT Abdomen & Pelvis CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast | 74177 | $85 | $301 | $809 | 3,330 |
| CT Chest CT scan of the chest with contrast | 71260 | $61 | $196 | $699 | 3,315 |
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 Georgia
Georgia's healthcare costs run approximately 1% below national averages, reflecting the state's lower cost of living compared to coastal markets. The state's mix of major metropolitan areas and extensive rural regions creates distinct pricing tiers for specialized imaging services.
Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability
Metro Atlanta contains the majority of Georgia's subspecialty radiologists, while rural counties often rely on traveling radiologists or telemedicine interpretations. This geographic concentration drives higher costs in urban areas but also provides faster access to specialized neuroradiology expertise. Rural patients may need to travel to regional centers for advanced Brain MRI protocols, adding transportation costs to their overall healthcare expenses.
Facility Type and Overhead Costs
Hospital-owned outpatient imaging centers dominate Georgia's major markets, particularly around Emory, Piedmont, and Wellstar health systems. These facilities typically charge facility fees in addition to professional fees, increasing total costs compared to independent imaging centers. Academic medical centers like those affiliated with Medical College of Georgia often have higher overhead but may offer cutting-edge imaging technology and research protocols.
Insurance Market Competition in Georgia
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield holds significant market share in Georgia, followed by UnitedHealthcare and Cigna, creating moderate insurer competition. This competitive landscape helps keep negotiated rates reasonable compared to states with dominant single insurers. The relatively balanced market power between insurers and large health systems results in negotiated rates that closely track national medians.
Physician Supply and Demand in Georgia
With over 3,000 active Brain MRI providers across Georgia, the state maintains adequate radiologist supply in metropolitan areas while facing shortages in rural regions. This supply-demand imbalance keeps urban wait times reasonable but may extend scheduling in smaller communities. The robust provider network in Atlanta and other major cities creates competitive pressure that helps moderate pricing for routine imaging services.
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 Georgia
What is the average cost of a Brain MRI visit in Georgia without insurance?
Does Georgia Medicaid cover Brain MRI visits?
How do I find an affordable Brain MRI near me in Georgia?
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 Georgia?
How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Brain MRI in Georgia?
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 |