Nebraska

Cost of a Brain MRI Visit
in Nebraska

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

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

Nebraska's healthcare system benefits from Medicaid expansion and a relatively stable provider network, though rural access remains challenging for specialized imaging services. Brain MRI costs in Nebraska typically range from $208 to $793, with a median price of $511 based on negotiated insurance rates across 2,641 active providers statewide. Patients can browse all Brain MRI providers in Nebraska to compare costs and find the most affordable option for their specific insurance plan.

Average

$504

Median

$511

Lowest

$208

Highest

$793

Providers

2,641

National avg: $478Nebraska: $504

5% above national average

Compare Similar Procedures

How does mri brain compare to related procedures in Nebraska?

Procedure	CPT	Low	Median	High	Providers
MRI Knee MRI of the knee without contrast	73721	$123	$339	$504	2,645
MRI Lumbar Spine MRI of the lumbar spine without contrast	72148	$129	$324	$477	2,648
CT Abdomen & Pelvis CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast	74177	$116	$416	$753	2,223
CT Chest CT scan of the chest with contrast	71260	$108	$214	$415	2,647

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 Nebraska

Nebraska's healthcare costs run approximately 1% below the national average, benefiting from lower overhead costs and moderate market competition among major insurers. The state's mix of urban centers like Omaha and Lincoln with vast rural areas creates distinct cost and access patterns for specialized imaging services.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

Omaha and Lincoln have multiple competing imaging facilities, which helps keep prices competitive, while rural Nebraska counties often have limited options requiring patients to travel to regional centers. This geographic disparity can create both access challenges and cost variations, with rural patients sometimes paying more due to limited provider choice.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Hospital-based outpatient imaging at facilities like Nebraska Medicine or CHI Health typically carries higher overhead costs than independent radiology centers. These academic and health system facilities often charge premium rates but may offer more specialized expertise and newer equipment technology.

Insurance Market Competition in Nebraska

BCBS Nebraska, UHC, and Aetna maintain relatively balanced market share, creating moderate competition that prevents extreme rate variations seen in more monopolized state markets. This competitive balance helps keep negotiated rates reasonable, though rural areas may still see higher costs due to limited provider networks.

Physician Supply and Demand in Nebraska

With 2,641 active Brain MRI providers across Nebraska, the state maintains adequate imaging capacity in urban areas but faces shortages in rural regions. This supply distribution means wait times and costs can vary significantly depending on your location, with rural patients often needing to travel to metropolitan areas for timely access.

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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 Nebraska

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

Without insurance, Brain MRI costs in Nebraska range from $208 to $793, with a median cost of $511 based on negotiated rates from major insurers. Many facilities offer self-pay discounts that can reduce these amounts by 20-40%, so always ask about cash-pay pricing when scheduling. The final cost depends on the specific facility, whether contrast is needed, and your location within the state.

Does Nebraska Medicaid cover Brain MRI visits?

Yes, Nebraska Medicaid covers medically necessary Brain MRI scans since the state expanded Medicaid in 2020. Coverage includes adults up to 138% of the federal poverty level, though you'll typically need a referral from your primary care provider and prior authorization from Medicaid. The scan must be deemed medically necessary by your doctor to qualify for coverage.

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

Compare prices between hospital-based imaging centers and independent radiology facilities, as independents often charge 30-50% less for the same procedure. Look for facilities that offer self-pay discounts if you're uninsured, and consider traveling to nearby cities where competition may drive down prices. Community health centers and federally qualified health centers may also offer sliding-scale pricing based on income.

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

Brain MRI pricing is typically the same whether it's your first scan or a follow-up, with costs ranging from $208 to $793 in Nebraska regardless of visit type. However, if you need a consultation with a radiologist or neurologist to discuss results, that would be a separate charge. Follow-up scans for monitoring known conditions are usually covered the same way as initial diagnostic imaging.

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

Yes, Brain MRI scans are qualified medical expenses that can be paid for using HSA or FSA funds when ordered by a physician. You can use these pre-tax dollars for the imaging procedure, any required contrast materials, and related radiologist interpretation fees. Keep all receipts and documentation showing the medical necessity of the scan for tax purposes.

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

While you can't perform a Brain MRI remotely, telemedicine can reduce overall costs by allowing virtual consultations to discuss results or determine if imaging is necessary. Nebraska has expanded telehealth access since 2020, and many radiologists now offer virtual follow-up appointments to review scan results, potentially saving you an in-person visit fee. Some neurologists also use telehealth for initial consultations before ordering imaging studies.

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