Cost of a Brain MRI Visit
in Texas
Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC
Texas ranks among the top five states for neurological research facilities, with major medical centers in Houston and Dallas leading innovative brain imaging protocols. Brain MRI patients typically pay between $90 and $721, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $253 based on negotiated insurance rates. Over 10,894 active Brain MRI providers operate across Texas's 254 counties, offering patients extensive options from rural community hospitals to world-renowned academic medical centers.
Average
$355
Median
$253
Lowest
$90
Highest
$721
Providers
10,894
26% below national average
Compare Similar Procedures
How does mri brain compare to related procedures in Texas?
| Procedure | CPT | Low | Median | High | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MRI Knee MRI of the knee without contrast | 73721 | $59 | $167 | $464 | 9,215 |
| MRI Lumbar Spine MRI of the lumbar spine without contrast | 72148 | $65 | $148 | $447 | 9,998 |
| CT Abdomen & Pelvis CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast | 74177 | $80 | $220 | $534 | 11,522 |
| CT Chest CT scan of the chest with contrast | 71260 | $54 | $135 | $345 | 11,171 |
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 Texas
Texas brain MRI costs run approximately 4% below national averages, reflecting the state's competitive healthcare market and lower overall cost of living compared to coastal states. The Lone Star State's sprawling geography creates significant cost variations, with major metropolitan areas like Houston, Dallas, and Austin supporting premium pricing while rural counties often offer more affordable options.
Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability
Texas's major medical corridors in Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, San Antonio, and Austin concentrate most high-end brain imaging technology, while rural counties may rely on mobile MRI units or require patient travel for specialized scans. The state's vast rural areas often face longer wait times and higher transportation costs, though imaging fees themselves may be lower. West Texas and the Panhandle region particularly struggle with imaging access, creating cost premiums for urgent cases.
Facility Type and Overhead Costs
Hospital-based outpatient imaging in Texas carries higher overhead costs due to facility fees, particularly at major academic centers like UT Southwestern and Houston Methodist. Independent imaging centers proliferate across Texas cities, offering competitive pricing without hospital markup fees. Many Texas health systems operate both hospital-based and freestanding imaging centers, allowing patients to choose based on cost preferences and clinical needs.
Insurance Market Competition in Texas
Strong competition among UHC, BCBS Texas, Aetna, and Cigna helps keep brain MRI costs competitive in major Texas markets, with each insurer negotiating different rates with local providers. The state's large population supports multiple insurance options in most areas, though rural counties may have fewer participating providers. Regional insurers like Scott & White Health Plan also compete in specific Texas markets, adding downward pressure on imaging costs.
Physician Supply and Demand in Texas
With over 10,894 active Brain MRI providers across Texas, the state maintains robust imaging capacity that helps control costs through competition. Texas's major medical schools and residency programs produce steady supplies of radiologists, particularly concentrated around Houston's Texas Medical Center and Dallas's medical district. Rural areas still face radiologist shortages, often relying on teleradiology services for after-hours and weekend brain MRI interpretation.
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 Texas
What is the average cost of a Brain MRI visit in Texas without insurance?
Does Texas Medicaid cover Brain MRI visits?
How do I find an affordable Brain MRI near me in Texas?
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 Texas?
How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Brain MRI in Texas?
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 |