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Oregon

Cost of a Brain MRI Visit
in Oregon

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

Oregon's healthcare costs run approximately 9% above the national average, reflecting the state's mix of urban centers and rural communities served by major insurers like Regence BCBS and PacificSource. Brain MRI patients in Oregon typically pay between $103 and $623, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $552, depending on their insurance plan and chosen provider. Oregon has 662 active Brain MRI providers across the state, giving patients multiple options to compare costs and find quality care.

Average

$426

Median

$552

Lowest

$103

Highest

$623

Providers

662

National avg: $478Oregon: $426

11% below national average

Compare Similar Procedures

How does mri brain compare to related procedures in Oregon?

ProcedureCPTLowMedianHighProviders
MRI Knee

MRI of the knee without contrast

73721$75$327$393711
MRI Lumbar Spine

MRI of the lumbar spine without contrast

72148$88$368$447740
CT Abdomen & Pelvis

CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast

74177$79$227$1,834457
CT Chest

CT scan of the chest with contrast

71260$70$171$291758

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 Oregon

Oregon's healthcare costs run approximately 9% above the national average, driven by the state's geographic challenges in serving both the Portland metro area and vast rural regions. The concentration of specialized care in urban centers like Portland and Eugene creates cost disparities that affect Brain MRI pricing across different regions of the state.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

Portland's Willamette Valley concentrates most of Oregon's Brain MRI specialists, while eastern Oregon's rural counties often require patients to travel significant distances for specialized neurological care. This urban-rural divide creates higher costs in metropolitan areas due to facility overhead, but rural patients face additional expenses from travel and time off work. Telemedicine has helped bridge some gaps, though hands-on neurological examinations still require in-person visits.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) and other academic medical centers typically charge higher facility fees than independent practices, reflecting teaching hospital overhead and specialized equipment costs. Large health systems like Legacy Health and Providence dominate urban markets, while smaller practices serve rural communities with potentially lower overhead expenses. Hospital-owned clinics generally cost more than freestanding medical offices due to institutional billing structures.

Insurance Market Competition in Oregon

Oregon's insurance landscape includes strong regional players like Regence BCBS and PacificSource competing with national carriers like UnitedHealthcare, creating moderate competition that helps control negotiated rates. The state's insurance marketplace offers multiple options in most counties, though rural areas may have fewer choices affecting local provider negotiations. This competitive environment generally benefits patients through varied network options and pricing structures.

Physician Supply and Demand in Oregon

Oregon has 662 active Brain MRI providers serving approximately 4.2 million residents, indicating adequate specialist availability in urban areas but potential shortages in rural regions. This supply-demand balance affects wait times and pricing, with high-demand specialists in Portland commanding premium rates while providers in smaller cities may offer more competitive pricing. The concentration of medical training programs in Portland helps maintain specialist supply but creates geographic imbalances across the state.

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 Oregon

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

Uninsured patients in Oregon typically pay between $103 and $623 for Brain MRI visits, with a median cost of $552. These rates represent negotiated prices between insurers and providers, though self-pay patients may qualify for discounts. Many Oregon providers offer sliding scale fees or payment plans to help manage these costs.

Does Oregon Medicaid cover Brain MRI visits?

Yes, Oregon's expanded Medicaid program covers medically necessary Brain MRI visits through coordinated care organizations. Coverage includes both initial consultations and follow-up visits, though some services may require prior authorization. Oregon's Medicaid expansion has significantly improved access to neurological care for lower-income residents across the state.

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

Compare costs across different facility types, as independent practices often charge less than hospital-based clinics in Oregon. Ask about self-pay discounts if you're uninsured, and consider community health centers in cities like Portland and Eugene that offer sliding scale fees. Rural Oregon patients may find lower base rates but should factor in travel costs when comparing options.

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

Based on Oregon's negotiated rates, initial Brain MRI consultations typically cost between $103-$623, while the specific costs vary depending on the complexity of your condition and time required. Follow-up visits generally cost less than initial evaluations since they involve reviewing test results or monitoring known conditions rather than comprehensive new patient assessments. Your insurance copay structure may also differ between new and established patient visits.

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

Yes, both Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts can cover Brain MRI visits in Oregon as qualified medical expenses. This includes consultations, diagnostic procedures, and prescribed treatments related to neurological conditions. Keep all receipts and documentation, as these accounts require proper substantiation for medical expense reimbursements.

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

Telemedicine consultations with Brain MRI specialists in Oregon typically cost 20-30% less than in-person visits, making them attractive for follow-ups or initial consultations. However, many neurological conditions require hands-on examination, limiting telehealth's applicability for comprehensive Brain MRI evaluations. Oregon's strong telehealth infrastructure, developed during the pandemic, has made remote consultations more accessible across the state's rural areas.

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