North Dakota

Cost of a Brain MRI Visit
in North Dakota

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

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

North Dakota's rural healthcare infrastructure means patients often travel significant distances for specialized imaging, with the state ranking among the lowest in provider density per capita. Patients seeking a Brain MRI typically pay between $220.87 and $3,100.37, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $551.50. North Dakota has 649 active Brain MRI providers across the state, allowing patients to browse all providers in North Dakota to find the most cost-effective option.

Average

$1,291

Median

$552

Lowest

$221

Highest

$3,100

Providers

649

National avg: $478North Dakota: $1,291

170% above national average

Compare Similar Procedures

How does mri brain compare to related procedures in North Dakota?

Procedure	CPT	Low	Median	High	Providers
MRI Knee MRI of the knee without contrast	73721	$83	$327	$327	646
MRI Lumbar Spine MRI of the lumbar spine without contrast	72148	$145	$368	$2,450	649
CT Abdomen & Pelvis CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast	74177	$82	$10,549	$10,549	486
CT Chest CT scan of the chest with contrast	71260	$118	$171	$7,881	653

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 North Dakota

Brain MRI costs in North Dakota average about 57% above the national median, reflecting the state's sparse population density and limited imaging infrastructure. The concentration of advanced imaging equipment in Fargo and Bismarck creates cost disparities for rural patients who must travel for specialized neuroimaging services.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

Most of North Dakota's 649 Brain MRI providers concentrate in the Fargo-Moorhead and Bismarck metropolitan areas, leaving vast rural regions underserved. Rural patients often face higher costs due to limited local options and the need to travel to urban imaging centers, sometimes adding hundreds of dollars in travel expenses to the total cost of care.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Hospital-owned imaging centers like those operated by Sanford Health and CHI St. Alexius typically charge 40-60% more than independent radiology practices in North Dakota. The state's major health systems control most high-end MRI equipment, reducing competitive pricing pressure compared to markets with more independent imaging centers.

Insurance Market Competition in North Dakota

With BCBS ND, Sanford Health Plan, and UnitedHealthcare controlling most of the market, North Dakota has limited insurance competition compared to larger states. This concentrated market allows insurers to negotiate less aggressively on imaging rates, contributing to the state's above-average Brain MRI costs for patients.

Physician Supply and Demand in North Dakota

North Dakota's 649 active Brain MRI providers serve a state population of just over 780,000, indicating relatively good provider density in urban areas but significant gaps in rural regions. The shortage of neurologists and radiologists in western North Dakota's oil regions has created pricing pressures and longer wait times for specialized imaging services.

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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 North Dakota

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

Without insurance, Brain MRI visits in North Dakota range from $220.87 to $3,100.37, with a median cost of $551.50. These prices reflect negotiated rates between insurers and providers, and uninsured patients may qualify for cash-pay discounts that reduce costs by 20-40%. Hospital-based imaging centers typically charge more than independent facilities, so comparing prices across different providers can result in significant savings.

Does North Dakota Medicaid cover Brain MRI visits?

Yes, North Dakota expanded Medicaid coverage, which includes Brain MRI when medically necessary and ordered by a physician. Covered patients typically pay no out-of-pocket costs for imaging services, though prior authorization may be required for certain types of Brain MRI. The expansion has significantly improved access to neuroimaging for low-income residents across the state.

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

Compare prices between hospital-owned imaging centers and independent radiology practices, as independents often charge 40-60% less for the same service. Ask about cash-pay discounts if you're uninsured, and consider traveling to urban areas like Fargo or Bismarck where competition may drive down prices. Community health centers and federally qualified health centers may also offer discounted imaging services.

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

Brain MRI imaging costs remain consistent at $220.87 to $3,100.37 whether it's your first or follow-up scan, as pricing depends on the facility and imaging protocol rather than visit type. However, the associated physician consultation may vary, with initial neurologist visits typically costing more than follow-up appointments. The radiologist interpretation fee is usually included in the total imaging cost regardless of whether it's a new or repeat study.

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

Yes, Brain MRI visits qualify as eligible medical expenses for both Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA). These tax-advantaged accounts can cover the full cost of medically necessary imaging, including deductibles, copays, and coinsurance. Keep your receipts and any documentation from your healthcare provider showing the medical necessity of the Brain MRI for reimbursement purposes.

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

While the Brain MRI itself requires in-person imaging, telemedicine consultations for results review or follow-up appointments typically cost $50-150 less than office visits in North Dakota. Many radiologists and neurologists now offer virtual consultations to discuss MRI findings, which is particularly beneficial for rural patients who would otherwise need to travel long distances. However, initial consultations before ordering a Brain MRI usually require in-person evaluation.

Click a state to compare costs

Average Visit Cost

$265