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Texas

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

National avg: $478Texas: $355

26% below national average

HSA/FSA eligible

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Just $19.99/mo

Compare Similar Procedures

How does mri brain compare to related procedures in Texas?

ProcedureCPTLowMedianHighProviders
MRI Knee

MRI of the knee without contrast

73721$59$167$4649,215
MRI Lumbar Spine

MRI of the lumbar spine without contrast

72148$65$148$4479,998
CT Abdomen & Pelvis

CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast

74177$80$220$53411,522
CT Chest

CT scan of the chest with contrast

71260$54$135$34511,171

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.

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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 Texas

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

Uninsured patients in Texas typically pay between $90 and $721 for a brain MRI, with a median cost of $253 based on negotiated insurance rates that facilities often extend to cash-pay patients. Many Texas imaging centers offer self-pay discounts of 30-50% off standard rates, making the actual out-of-pocket cost potentially lower. Payment plans are widely available at major health systems throughout Texas, allowing patients to spread costs over several months.

Does Texas Medicaid cover Brain MRI visits?

Texas Medicaid covers medically necessary brain MRI scans for eligible recipients, though the state's decision not to expand Medicaid limits coverage to children, pregnant women, disabled adults, and very low-income parents. Prior authorization is typically required for brain MRI coverage through Texas Medicaid, with the ordering physician needing to document medical necessity. Qualified patients receive full coverage with no copayments, though they must use Medicaid-participating imaging facilities.

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

Compare prices across freestanding imaging centers versus hospital outpatient departments, as independent facilities in Texas often charge significantly less than hospital-based services. Ask about cash-pay discounts at multiple facilities, as many Texas providers offer substantial reductions for self-pay patients. Community health centers in major Texas cities sometimes offer sliding-scale pricing based on income, while some imaging centers provide package deals that include both the scan and radiologist interpretation.

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

Brain MRI costs remain consistent whether ordered during an initial consultation or follow-up visit, with the median price of $253 applying regardless of visit type. However, the physician consultation fees differ, with new patient evaluations typically costing more than established patient follow-ups due to longer appointment times and comprehensive assessments. Many Texas radiologists don't require separate consultation visits, instead providing written reports to your referring physician, which can reduce overall costs.

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

Yes, brain MRI scans 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 imaging procedure, radiologist interpretation fees, and any related medical consultations in Texas. Keep all receipts and documentation showing the medical necessity of the brain MRI for your HSA or FSA records.

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

Telemedicine consultations in Texas often cost less than in-person visits and can be used for initial evaluations to determine if brain MRI is necessary, potentially saving unnecessary imaging costs. Many Texas radiologists offer telehealth follow-up appointments to discuss MRI results, reducing overall healthcare expenses while maintaining quality care. However, the brain MRI itself must still be performed in-person at an imaging facility, so telemedicine primarily reduces consultation fees rather than imaging costs.

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
AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming