Cost of a Brain MRI Visit
in New Mexico
Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC
New Mexico's healthcare system spans from rural frontier communities to urban medical centers like Presbyterian and UNM Hospital, creating unique cost dynamics for Brain MRI services. Patients typically pay between $97.8 and $1,063.34, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $315.04 across the state's 1,235 active Brain MRI providers. Browse all providers in New Mexico to compare costs and find the right specialist for your neurological care needs.
Average
$492
Median
$315
Lowest
$98
Highest
$1,063
Providers
1,235
3% above national average
Compare Similar Procedures
How does mri brain compare to related procedures in New Mexico?
| Procedure | CPT | Low | Median | High | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MRI Knee MRI of the knee without contrast | 73721 | $57 | $198 | $588 | 1,220 |
| MRI Lumbar Spine MRI of the lumbar spine without contrast | 72148 | $62 | $188 | $720 | 1,236 |
| CT Abdomen & Pelvis CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast | 74177 | $75 | $230 | $801 | 1,315 |
| CT Chest CT scan of the chest with contrast | 71260 | $52 | $169 | $505 | 1,300 |
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 New Mexico
New Mexico's Brain MRI costs run approximately 3% below the national average, reflecting the state's lower cost of living and reduced overhead expenses compared to coastal markets. The state's expansive rural geography and concentrated urban populations create distinct pricing patterns across different regions.
Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability
Albuquerque and Santa Fe concentrate most specialist providers, while rural areas like the Four Corners region and eastern plains have limited access. This geographic disparity often forces rural patients to travel long distances, but can result in lower consultation fees outside major metropolitan areas.
Facility Type and Overhead Costs
Hospital-based outpatient clinics affiliated with Presbyterian Healthcare Services or UNM Health System typically charge more than independent practices due to higher facility fees. Smaller community hospitals and standalone imaging centers often offer more competitive pricing for Brain MRI services.
Insurance Market Competition in New Mexico
With primarily three major insurers (BCBS NM, UHC, and Molina) serving most of the state, competition remains limited compared to larger markets. This concentrated market can lead to more standardized negotiated rates but fewer options for patients seeking the lowest-cost providers.
Physician Supply and Demand in New Mexico
New Mexico's 1,235 active Brain MRI providers create adequate supply in urban areas but significant shortages in rural regions. This supply-demand imbalance keeps urban pricing competitive while rural access challenges may require longer wait times or travel to larger cities.
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 New Mexico
What is the average cost of a Brain MRI visit in New Mexico without insurance?
Does New Mexico Medicaid cover Brain MRI visits?
How do I find an affordable Brain MRI near me in New Mexico?
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 New Mexico?
How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Brain MRI in New Mexico?
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 |