Cost of a Brain MRI Visit
in Louisiana
Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC
Louisiana's healthcare system reflects both urban medical centers in New Orleans and Baton Rouge alongside rural parishes with limited specialist access, creating significant cost variation for medical imaging services. Brain MRI patients typically pay between $91.68 and $765.59, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $547.52 across Louisiana's 1,172 active providers. Patients can browse all Brain MRI providers throughout Louisiana to compare costs and find the most affordable option for their specific insurance plan.
Average
$468
Median
$548
Lowest
$92
Highest
$766
Providers
1,172
2% below national average
Compare Similar Procedures
How does mri brain compare to related procedures in Louisiana?
| Procedure | CPT | Low | Median | High | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MRI Knee MRI of the knee without contrast | 73721 | $55 | $327 | $429 | 1,325 |
| MRI Lumbar Spine MRI of the lumbar spine without contrast | 72148 | $60 | $356 | $702 | 1,176 |
| CT Abdomen & Pelvis CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast | 74177 | $66 | $201 | $424 | 1,112 |
| CT Chest CT scan of the chest with contrast | 71260 | $48 | $171 | $288 | 1,374 |
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 Louisiana
Louisiana's Brain MRI costs run approximately 1% above national averages, influenced by the state's mix of urban medical centers and rural healthcare challenges. The absence of Medicaid expansion creates unique cost pressures as providers absorb more uncompensated care costs, while the moderate ASC market provides some competitive pricing alternatives to hospital-based facilities.
Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability
Louisiana's healthcare geography creates stark contrasts between well-served areas like Greater New Orleans and Baton Rouge versus rural parishes with limited imaging access. Many rural Louisiana residents must travel significant distances to reach Brain MRI facilities, often driving to larger cities for specialized imaging services. This geographic disparity affects both access and pricing, as rural facilities may charge premium rates due to limited competition.
Facility Type and Overhead Costs
Hospital-based outpatient imaging centers in Louisiana typically charge higher rates than independent radiology clinics due to higher overhead costs and facility fees. Major health systems like Ochsner Health and Our Lady of the Lake operate extensive imaging networks throughout the state, while independent practices often offer more competitive pricing. Ambulatory surgery centers provide cost-effective alternatives for outpatient imaging, though availability varies by region.
Insurance Market Competition in Louisiana
Louisiana's insurance market is moderately competitive with BCBS Louisiana holding significant market share alongside UHC and Aetna. The concentrated market allows these major insurers to negotiate competitive rates with providers, though patients may face limited network choices in certain parishes. Rural areas often have fewer insurance options, potentially leading to higher out-of-pocket costs for patients with limited network providers.
Physician Supply and Demand in Louisiana
Louisiana's 1,172 active Brain MRI providers suggest adequate supply in metropolitan areas, though distribution heavily favors urban centers over rural parishes. This supply concentration creates pricing advantages for patients in cities like New Orleans and Baton Rouge, where provider competition helps moderate costs. Rural areas often experience longer wait times and higher prices due to limited provider availability and reduced competition.
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 Louisiana
What is the average cost of a Brain MRI visit in Louisiana without insurance?
Does Louisiana Medicaid cover Brain MRI visits?
How do I find an affordable Brain MRI near me in Louisiana?
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 Louisiana?
How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Brain MRI in Louisiana?
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 |