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Nevada

Cost of a Brain MRI Visit
in Nevada

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

Nevada's healthcare costs run approximately 8% above the national average, driven by rapid population growth in Las Vegas and Reno that outpaces provider expansion. Brain MRI procedures in the Silver State typically cost between $135 and $1,458, with a median negotiated rate of $500 among the state's 2,580 active imaging providers. Patients can browse all qualified Brain MRI facilities across Nevada to find the most cost-effective option for their specific insurance plan.

Average

$698

Median

$500

Lowest

$135

Highest

$1,458

Providers

2,580

National avg: $478Nevada: $698

46% above national average

Compare Similar Procedures

How does mri brain compare to related procedures in Nevada?

ProcedureCPTLowMedianHighProviders
MRI Knee

MRI of the knee without contrast

73721$80$350$6422,603
MRI Lumbar Spine

MRI of the lumbar spine without contrast

72148$102$350$7502,567
CT Abdomen & Pelvis

CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast

74177$85$282$5042,604
CT Chest

CT scan of the chest with contrast

71260$80$283$4532,690

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 70553MRI 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 Nevada

Nevada's healthcare costs run 8% above the national average, influenced by rapid population growth that strains existing medical infrastructure. The state's concentration of residents in Las Vegas and Reno creates distinct urban healthcare markets while leaving rural areas underserved.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

Las Vegas and Reno account for over 80% of Nevada's population and imaging facilities, creating significant access challenges for residents in rural counties. Patients in areas like Elko, Ely, or Winnemucca often travel 200+ miles to reach advanced imaging centers, driving up total treatment costs. This geographic disparity allows urban providers to command premium pricing due to limited competition in outlying areas.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Hospital-based outpatient imaging departments in Nevada typically charge higher rates due to facility fees and administrative overhead costs. Independent imaging centers like those operated by RadNet or local radiology groups offer more competitive pricing without sacrificing quality. Major health systems including Dignity Health and HCA Healthcare Nevada dominate the hospital market, influencing regional pricing structures.

Insurance Market Competition in Nevada

UnitedHealthCare, Anthem, and Aetna control the majority of Nevada's commercial insurance market, creating concentrated negotiating power with imaging providers. Limited insurer competition in some rural markets reduces pressure for competitive rates, potentially increasing patient costs. The state's relatively small population compared to neighboring California limits insurers' ability to negotiate deeply discounted rates with provider networks.

Physician Supply and Demand in Nevada

Nevada's 2,580 active Brain MRI providers represent adequate coverage in urban areas but significant shortages in rural regions of the state. The physician shortage in northern and rural Nevada drives longer wait times and higher costs as patients compete for limited appointment availability. Recent growth in imaging capacity, particularly in Las Vegas, has improved access but hasn't fully offset the state's rapid population increase.

JP

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 Nevada

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

Uninsured patients in Nevada can expect to pay between $135 and $1,458 for a Brain MRI procedure, with a median cost of $500 across the state's imaging providers. Many facilities offer cash discounts of 20-40% for patients who pay upfront, potentially reducing these amounts significantly. Community health centers and independent imaging clinics typically charge less than hospital-based facilities for the same procedure.

Does Nevada Medicaid cover Brain MRI visits?

Yes, Nevada Medicaid covers medically necessary Brain MRI procedures when ordered by a physician and prior authorized by the program. Nevada expanded Medicaid under the ACA, providing coverage to qualifying low-income residents including diagnostic imaging services. Patients should verify their specific eligibility and ensure their chosen imaging center accepts Nevada Medicaid before scheduling.

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

Compare prices between hospital outpatient departments and independent imaging centers, as freestanding facilities often charge 50-70% less for identical procedures. Ask about self-pay discounts if you're uninsured, and consider community health centers that may offer sliding scale pricing based on income. Some imaging centers in Nevada also provide payment plan options to help spread costs over several months.

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

Brain MRI procedures typically involve the same technical fee regardless of whether it's your first scan or a follow-up study, ranging from $135 to $1,458 in Nevada. However, the radiologist interpretation fee and any associated consultation costs may vary slightly based on complexity and comparison with previous studies. Follow-up MRIs for monitoring known conditions are generally covered the same as initial diagnostic scans by most insurance plans.

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

Yes, Brain MRI procedures qualify as eligible medical expenses for both Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) when ordered by a physician for diagnostic purposes. You can use these pre-tax dollars to pay for the procedure, related consultation fees, and any associated medical costs. Keep detailed records and receipts for tax purposes when using HSA or FSA funds for medical imaging.

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

While the Brain MRI procedure itself must be performed in-person at an imaging facility, telemedicine consultations can reduce overall costs by eliminating travel for follow-up appointments to review results. Many Nevada radiologists and neurologists offer virtual visits to discuss MRI findings, saving patients time and money on additional office visits. Remote consultations are particularly valuable for rural Nevada residents who might otherwise drive hours to meet with specialists in Las Vegas or Reno.

Click a state to compare costs

Average Visit Cost

$265
$1,291

Office visit (CPT 70553)

Compare With Other States

RankStateAverage
1North Dakota
Range: $221$3,100
$1,291
2Minnesota
Range: $88$3,100
$1,247
3Wisconsin
Range: $80$2,464
$975
4Nevada
Range: $135$1,458
$698
5Georgia
Range: $101$1,468
$653
6Hawaii
Range: $88$1,014
$577
7Massachusetts
Range: $90$1,060
$567
8Maine
Range: $178$1,023
$548
9Wyoming
Range: $100$1,112
$537
10Utah
Range: $94$1,045
$510
11Nebraska
Range: $208$793
$504
12New Mexico
Range: $98$1,063
$492
13New Hampshire
Range: $129$993
$489
14Washington
Range: $100$863
$489
15North Carolina
Range: $99$988
$485
16Iowa
Range: $95$842
$483
17Colorado
Range: $95$1,015
$475
18Indiana
Range: $85$1,014
$471
19Louisiana
Range: $92$766
$468
20Alaska
Range: $97$948
$454
21South Dakota
Range: $247$552
$450
22West Virginia
Range: $98$687
$446
23Vermont
Range: $82$983
$443
24Virginia
Range: $76$970
$437
25Michigan
Range: $80$917
$430
26Rhode Island
Range: $88$879
$429
27Idaho
Range: $88$793
$428
28District of Columbia
Range: $90$879
$426
29Oregon
Range: $103$623
$426
30Illinois
Range: $93$842
$417
31New York
Range: $82$926
$417
32Tennessee
Range: $109$823
$417
33Montana
Range: $100$590
$414
34Kansas
Range: $107$818
$401
35Kentucky
Range: $83$842
$398
36South Carolina
Range: $82$829
$390
37Alabama
Range: $88$811
$384
38Pennsylvania
Range: $57$879
$384
39Oklahoma
Range: $85$817
$377
40Mississippi
Range: $89$811
$376
41New Jersey
Range: $63$830
$374
42Ohio
Range: $78$813
$373
43Texas
Range: $90$721
$355
44Maryland
Range: $46$737
$351
45Delaware
Range: $98$596
$345
46Missouri
Range: $115$628
$342
47Arkansas
Range: $104$630
$340
48Connecticut
Range: $55$777
$337
49Florida
Range: $35$811
$302
50Arizona
Range: $100$550
$288
51California
Range: $55$654
$265
MRI Brain in Other States