Maine

Cost of a Brain MRI Visit
in Maine

Name: MRI Brain Cost in Maine (2026)
Creator: Jayant Panwar
Published: 2026-03-18

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

Maine's rural geography and limited specialist concentration contribute to Brain MRI costs that run approximately 26% above the national average. Patients typically pay between $178 and $1,023 for Brain MRI services, with a median negotiated rate of $445 across the state's 1,697 active providers. You can browse all Brain MRI providers in Maine to compare costs and find in-network options that fit your budget.

Average

$548

Median

$445

Lowest

$178

Highest

$1,023

Providers

1,697

National avg: $478Maine: $548

15% above national average

Compare Similar Procedures

How does mri brain compare to related procedures in Maine?

Procedure	CPT	Low	Median	High	Providers
MRI Knee MRI of the knee without contrast	73721	$105	$292	$701	1,696
MRI Lumbar Spine MRI of the lumbar spine without contrast	72148	$116	$256	$659	1,700
CT Abdomen & Pelvis CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast	74177	$140	$457	$656	1,566
CT Chest CT scan of the chest with contrast	71260	$93	$255	$439	1,705

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.

Full data methodology and glossary

Why Brain MRI Visit Costs Vary Across Maine

Brain MRI costs in Maine run approximately 26% above the national average, reflecting the state's rural geography and concentrated healthcare resources in southern coastal regions. Limited insurer competition and the high overhead costs of maintaining imaging equipment in sparsely populated areas contribute to higher pricing statewide.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

Most of Maine's advanced imaging facilities are concentrated in the Portland metro area and other southern cities, requiring patients in northern and eastern Maine to travel significant distances for Brain MRI services. This geographic disparity often means rural patients face higher total costs when factoring in travel expenses and time away from work.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Hospital-based outpatient imaging centers, particularly those affiliated with Maine Medical Center and Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems, typically charge higher facility fees than independent radiology practices. However, rural hospitals often struggle to maintain expensive MRI equipment, leading to limited options and higher costs in many communities.

Insurance Market Competition in Maine

The relatively small number of major insurers operating in Maine -- primarily Anthem, Harvard Pilgrim, and UHC -- creates less competitive pressure on negotiated rates compared to states with more robust insurer competition. This concentrated market can result in higher costs for specialized services like Brain MRI across all payer types.

Physician Supply and Demand in Maine

With 1,697 active Brain MRI providers serving the state's population, Maine maintains adequate specialist coverage in urban areas but faces shortages in rural regions. This uneven distribution creates longer wait times and potentially higher costs in underserved areas, while competitive pricing may be available in Portland and surrounding communities.

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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 Maine

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

Without insurance, Brain MRI costs in Maine range from $178 to $1,023, with a median price of $445 based on negotiated rates. Self-pay patients may qualify for cash discounts of 20-40% at many imaging centers, potentially reducing costs below these amounts. Always ask about self-pay pricing and payment plans when scheduling your appointment.

Does Maine Medicaid cover Brain MRI visits?

Yes, Maine Medicaid covers Brain MRI services when medically necessary and ordered by a healthcare provider. Since Maine expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, more residents have access to covered neuroimaging services. Prior authorization may be required, and you'll need to use in-network imaging facilities to avoid out-of-pocket costs.

How do I find an affordable Brain MRI near me in Maine?

Compare prices between hospital-based imaging centers and independent radiology clinics, as standalone facilities often charge less than hospital outpatient departments. Ask about self-pay discounts if you're uninsured, and consider traveling to Portland or other southern Maine cities where provider competition may offer better pricing. Community health centers can also help coordinate affordable imaging services.

What is the difference in cost between an initial consultation and a follow-up visit?

Brain MRI typically involves the imaging study itself rather than consultation visits, with costs ranging from $178 to $1,023 in Maine. If your doctor orders additional consultation to review results, follow-up visits generally cost less than initial consultations. The imaging study represents the major cost component, while radiologist interpretation fees are usually included in the total price.

Can I use an HSA or FSA to pay for a Brain MRI visit in Maine?

Yes, Brain MRI services qualify as eligible medical expenses for both Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA). This includes the imaging study, radiologist interpretation, and any related consultation fees. Keep all receipts and documentation for reimbursement, as these accounts can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket costs for necessary neuroimaging.

How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Brain MRI in Maine?

While the actual Brain MRI must be performed in person at an imaging facility, telemedicine can reduce costs for initial consultations and follow-up visits to review results. Many Maine providers offer telehealth consultations at lower rates than in-person visits, which is particularly valuable for rural patients who would otherwise travel long distances. Remote consultations typically cost $50-150 less than office visits.

Click a state to compare costs

Average Visit Cost

$265

$1,291

Office visit (CPT 70553)

Compare With Other States

Rank	State	Average↓	Min⇅	Max⇅	Providers⇅
1	North Dakota(ND) Range: $221 – $3,100	$1,291	$221	$3,100	649
2	Minnesota(MN) Range: $88 – $3,100	$1,247	$88	$3,100	3,070
3	Wisconsin(WI) Range: $80 – $2,464	$975	$80	$2,464	4,163
4	Nevada(NV) Range: $135 – $1,458	$698	$135	$1,458	2,580
5	Georgia(GA) Range: $101 – $1,468	$653	$101	$1,468	3,018
6	Hawaii(HI) Range: $88 – $1,014	$577	$88	$1,014	99
7	Massachusetts(MA) Range: $90 – $1,060	$567	$90	$1,060	1,770
8	Maine(ME) Range: $178 – $1,023	$548	$178	$1,023	1,697
9	Wyoming(WY) Range: $100 – $1,112	$537	$100	$1,112	183
10	Utah(UT) Range: $94 – $1,045	$510	$94	$1,045	349
11	Nebraska(NE) Range: $208 – $793	$504	$208	$793	2,641
12	New Mexico(NM) Range: $98 – $1,063	$492	$98	$1,063	1,235
13	New Hampshire(NH) Range: $129 – $993	$489	$129	$993	3,685
14	Washington(WA) Range: $100 – $863	$489	$100	$863	3,337
15	North Carolina(NC) Range: $99 – $988	$485	$99	$988	2,437
16	Iowa(IA) Range: $95 – $842	$483	$95	$842	409
17	Colorado(CO) Range: $95 – $1,015	$475	$95	$1,015	1,451
18	Indiana(IN) Range: $85 – $1,014	$471	$85	$1,014	360
19	Louisiana(LA) Range: $92 – $766	$468	$92	$766	1,172
20	Alaska(AK) Range: $97 – $948	$454	$97	$948	43
21	South Dakota(SD) Range: $247 – $552	$450	$247	$552	321
22	West Virginia(WV) Range: $98 – $687	$446	$98	$687	268
23	Vermont(VT) Range: $82 – $983	$443	$82	$983	345
24	Virginia(VA) Range: $76 – $970	$437	$76	$970	3,183
25	Michigan(MI) Range: $80 – $917	$430	$80	$917	2,202
26	Rhode Island(RI) Range: $88 – $879	$429	$88	$879	84
27	Idaho(ID) Range: $88 – $793	$428	$88	$793	136
28	District of Columbia(DC) Range: $90 – $879	$426	$90	$879	333
29	Oregon(OR) Range: $103 – $623	$426	$103	$623	662
30	Illinois(IL) Range: $93 – $842	$417	$93	$842	5,703
31	New York(NY) Range: $82 – $926	$417	$82	$926	32,184
32	Tennessee(TN) Range: $109 – $823	$417	$109	$823	2,409
33	Montana(MT) Range: $100 – $590	$414	$100	$590	91
34	Kansas(KS) Range: $107 – $818	$401	$107	$818	1,840
35	Kentucky(KY) Range: $83 – $842	$398	$83	$842	225
36	South Carolina(SC) Range: $82 – $829	$390	$82	$829	1,282
37	Alabama(AL) Range: $88 – $811	$384	$88	$811	2,663
38	Pennsylvania(PA) Range: $57 – $879	$384	$57	$879	1,970
39	Oklahoma(OK) Range: $85 – $817	$377	$85	$817	2,094
40	Mississippi(MS) Range: $89 – $811	$376	$89	$811	1,312
41	New Jersey(NJ) Range: $63 – $830	$374	$63	$830	7,290
42	Ohio(OH) Range: $78 – $813	$373	$78	$813	4,538
43	Texas(TX) Range: $90 – $721	$355	$90	$721	10,894
44	Maryland(MD) Range: $46 – $737	$351	$46	$737	4,016
45	Delaware(DE) Range: $98 – $596	$345	$98	$596	199
46	Missouri(MO) Range: $115 – $628	$342	$115	$628	5,338
47	Arkansas(AR) Range: $104 – $630	$340	$104	$630	131
48	Connecticut(CT) Range: $55 – $777	$337	$55	$777	896
49	Florida(FL) Range: $35 – $811	$302	$35	$811	4,998
50	Arizona(AZ) Range: $100 – $550	$288	$100	$550	4,828
51	California(CA) Range: $55 – $654	$265	$55	$654	9,774