Maryland

Cost of a Brain MRI Visit
in Maryland

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

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

Maryland's rate-setting system for hospitals creates unique price transparency that benefits patients seeking Brain MRI services across the state's diverse healthcare landscape. Patients typically pay between $45.87 and $736.74, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $271.07 for Brain MRI visits. With over 4,000 active providers offering Brain MRI services throughout Maryland, patients can browse all providers in the state to find the most affordable option for their specific insurance plan.

Average

$351

Median

$271

Lowest

$46

Highest

$737

Providers

4,016

National avg: $478Maryland: $351

27% below national average

Compare Similar Procedures

How does mri brain compare to related procedures in Maryland?

Procedure	CPT	Low	Median	High	Providers
MRI Knee MRI of the knee without contrast	73721	$26	$172	$457	4,019
MRI Lumbar Spine MRI of the lumbar spine without contrast	72148	$29	$177	$447	4,003
CT Abdomen & Pelvis CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast	74177	$36	$204	$594	4,071
CT Chest CT scan of the chest with contrast	71260	$24	$124	$335	4,048

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 Maryland

Maryland's healthcare costs run approximately 13% above national averages, driven by the state's proximity to Washington DC and Baltimore's concentration of prestigious medical institutions. The state's unique hospital rate-setting system creates price transparency but may contribute to higher baseline costs compared to market-driven pricing in neighboring states.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

Maryland's Brain MRI providers cluster heavily in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan corridor, with over 70% of specialists practicing within 50 miles of these urban centers. Rural areas like the Eastern Shore and Western Maryland face significant access challenges, often requiring patients to travel 60+ miles for specialized neuroimaging services. This geographic disparity creates cost variations as rural patients may need to use higher-priced urban academic centers due to limited local options.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Hospital-based Brain MRI services in Maryland typically cost 40-60% more than independent imaging centers due to higher overhead and facility fees at institutions like Johns Hopkins and University of Maryland Medical Center. Freestanding imaging centers, particularly those in suburban markets like Montgomery and Howard Counties, often provide identical services at significantly lower rates. The state's academic medical centers command premium pricing due to their research missions and subspecialty expertise, but may not always be necessary for routine brain imaging.

Insurance Market Competition in Maryland

CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield dominates Maryland's individual and small group markets with roughly 60% market share, followed by United Healthcare and Aetna competing for the remaining commercial business. This concentrated market gives CareFirst significant negotiating power with providers, often resulting in favorable rates for their members but potentially limiting provider choice. The state's insurance exchange and Medicaid expansion have increased competition somewhat, but rural areas still face limited insurer options.

Physician Supply and Demand in Maryland

With over 4,000 active Brain MRI providers, Maryland maintains one of the highest specialist-to-population ratios in the nation, concentrated primarily around Baltimore and Washington DC metro areas. This abundance in urban centers helps keep wait times short and creates competitive pricing, while rural regions experience shortages that can drive up costs and extend scheduling delays. The state's proximity to major medical schools ensures steady specialist supply, but geographic maldistribution remains a persistent challenge.

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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 Maryland

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

Without insurance, Brain MRI visits in Maryland typically range from $45.87 to $736.74, with a median cost of $271.07 based on actual negotiated rates between insurers and providers. Self-pay patients often receive discounts of 20-40% off standard rates, especially at independent imaging centers. Many facilities offer payment plans or sliding scale fees, making these services more accessible than the sticker price suggests.

Does Maryland Medicaid cover Brain MRI visits?

Yes, Maryland's expanded Medicaid program covers medically necessary Brain MRI visits for eligible adults up to 138% of the federal poverty level through the HealthChoice managed care system. Coverage typically requires prior authorization and a referral from your primary care provider, except in emergency situations. Most Brain MRI services have no copay under Medicaid, though some managed care plans may charge small fees for specialist visits.

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

Compare prices between hospital-based imaging centers and independent facilities, as freestanding centers often charge 40-60% less for identical services. Ask about self-pay discounts if you're uninsured or have a high deductible, and consider community health centers in Baltimore and other urban areas that offer sliding scale fees. Use your insurance company's provider directory to find in-network options, as this can reduce your costs by 60-80% compared to out-of-network providers.

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

Initial Brain MRI consultations typically cost more than follow-up visits due to the comprehensive evaluation required for new patients and the time needed to review previous imaging studies. Follow-up appointments for established patients are generally shorter and focus on monitoring known conditions or reviewing new test results. The cost difference can range from $50-150 depending on the facility and complexity of your case, with academic medical centers showing larger price gaps between visit types.

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

Yes, Brain MRI visits qualify as eligible medical expenses for both Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) when medically necessary. This includes consultation fees, imaging costs, and any related diagnostic procedures ordered by your specialist. Keep all receipts and documentation from your provider, as you may need to submit claims paperwork to your HSA/FSA administrator for reimbursement.

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

Telemedicine consultations for Brain MRI typically cost 30-50% less than in-person visits and are particularly useful for follow-up appointments, second opinions, or initial consultations when imaging studies are already available. Maryland has expanded telehealth coverage since 2020, with most insurers now covering virtual visits at the same rate as office visits. However, initial evaluations often still require in-person examination, and actual MRI scans must always be performed at imaging facilities.

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