Cost of a Brain MRI Visit
in Hawaii
Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC
Hawaii's isolated island geography creates unique healthcare cost pressures, with medical services typically running 16% above national averages due to limited provider competition and high operational costs. Brain MRI patients across the state face significant cost variation, with negotiated insurance rates ranging from $88 to $1014 and a median cost of $628 based on data from 99 active providers. Whether you're on Oahu, Maui, or the Big Island, understanding your out-of-pocket costs before scheduling can help you make informed healthcare decisions and find the most affordable Brain MRI provider in your area.
Average
$577
Median
$628
Lowest
$88
Highest
$1,014
Providers
99
21% above national average
Compare Similar Procedures
How does mri brain compare to related procedures in Hawaii?
| Procedure | CPT | Low | Median | High | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MRI Knee MRI of the knee without contrast | 73721 | $75 | $387 | $505 | 106 |
| MRI Lumbar Spine MRI of the lumbar spine without contrast | 72148 | $85 | $457 | $577 | 99 |
| CT Abdomen & Pelvis CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast | 74177 | $80 | $193 | $766 | 99 |
| CT Chest CT scan of the chest with contrast | 71260 | $67 | $315 | $348 | 114 |
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 Hawaii
Hawaii's healthcare costs run approximately 16% above national averages due to the state's isolated island geography and limited provider competition. The high cost of living, expensive medical equipment shipping, and challenges recruiting specialists to remote island locations all contribute to elevated healthcare pricing across the chain.
Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability
Oahu's Honolulu metro area concentrates most of Hawaii's imaging facilities and specialists, while neighbor islands like Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island have more limited options. Rural areas on outer islands may require patients to travel significant distances or even fly to Oahu for specialized imaging services. This geographic dispersion creates both access challenges and cost variations, with some rural facilities charging premium rates due to limited local competition.
Facility Type and Overhead Costs
Hospital-based imaging centers in Hawaii, including those affiliated with major health systems like Hawaii Pacific Health and Kaiser Permanente, typically carry higher overhead costs due to 24/7 operations and comprehensive service offerings. Independent imaging centers and outpatient facilities often provide more competitive pricing for routine Brain MRI services. The high cost of real estate and utilities in Hawaii affects all facility types but may disproportionately impact hospital-based services.
Insurance Market Competition in Hawaii
Hawaii's insurance market is relatively concentrated, with HMSA (Blue Cross Blue Shield), UnitedHealthcare, and Kaiser Permanente holding dominant market positions. This limited competition among insurers can affect negotiated rates with providers, though Hawaii's regulatory environment provides some consumer protections. The state's unique Prepaid Health Care Act also influences how employer-sponsored insurance operates compared to mainland states.
Physician Supply and Demand in Hawaii
With 99 active Brain MRI providers across the state serving a population of approximately 1.4 million, Hawaii maintains reasonable access to imaging services, though distribution is uneven across islands. The challenge of recruiting and retaining specialists in Hawaii due to high living costs and geographic isolation can create supply constraints in certain subspecialties. This dynamic affects both pricing and appointment availability, with some facilities experiencing longer wait times during peak tourist seasons when temporary residents seek care.
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 Hawaii
What is the average cost of a Brain MRI visit in Hawaii without insurance?
Does Hawaii Medicaid cover Brain MRI visits?
How do I find an affordable Brain MRI near me in Hawaii?
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 Hawaii?
How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Brain MRI in Hawaii?
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 |