Utah

Cost of a Brain MRI Visit
in Utah

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

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

Utah's healthcare market operates approximately 2% below national averages, benefiting from strong regional competition between SelectHealth, BCBS Utah, and UHC. Brain MRI patients typically pay between $93.83 and $1044.95, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $390.79 across the state's 349 active providers. Utah residents can browse all Brain MRI specialists statewide to find the most cost-effective care for their specific insurance plan.

Average

$510

Median

$391

Lowest

$94

Highest

$1,045

Providers

349

National avg: $478Utah: $510

7% above national average

Compare Similar Procedures

How does mri brain compare to related procedures in Utah?

Procedure	CPT	Low	Median	High	Providers
MRI Knee MRI of the knee without contrast	73721	$59	$257	$504	354
MRI Lumbar Spine MRI of the lumbar spine without contrast	72148	$65	$225	$603	353
CT Abdomen & Pelvis CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast	74177	$79	$294	$552	446
CT Chest CT scan of the chest with contrast	71260	$54	$207	$374	419

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 Utah

Utah's healthcare costs run approximately 2% below national averages, reflecting the state's efficient regional health systems and competitive insurance market. The concentration of population along the Wasatch Front creates unique cost dynamics compared to the state's expansive rural territories.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

The Wasatch Front corridor from Ogden to Provo contains most of Utah's Brain MRI specialists, while rural counties often require patients to travel significant distances for care. This geographic concentration drives higher costs in urban areas due to demand, but also creates access challenges for residents in southeastern and southwestern Utah. Telehealth options have expanded to bridge some gaps, though hands-on neurological examinations still require in-person visits.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Utah's major health systems including Intermountain Healthcare and University of Utah Health operate numerous hospital-based clinics that typically charge higher facility fees than independent practices. Academic medical centers command premium pricing due to specialized expertise and research capabilities, while community-based neurologists often provide more cost-effective options. Rural Utah providers may charge less for visits but have limited availability, creating trade-offs between cost and convenience.

Insurance Market Competition in Utah

SelectHealth's strong regional presence alongside BCBS Utah and UHC creates moderate competition that helps contain costs compared to monopolistic markets. The state's relatively small population allows insurers to maintain tighter provider networks, potentially limiting choices but improving negotiated rates. Regional insurers often have deeper relationships with local health systems, resulting in more favorable coverage terms for Utah-specific providers.

Physician Supply and Demand in Utah

With 349 active Brain MRI providers serving Utah's 3.3 million residents, the state maintains adequate specialist availability in urban areas but experiences shortages in rural regions. This supply-demand imbalance contributes to longer wait times and higher costs in underserved areas, while competition among Wasatch Front providers helps moderate pricing. The University of Utah's medical school and residency programs help maintain physician supply, though many graduates relocate to higher-paying markets after training.

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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 Utah

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

Without insurance, Brain MRI visits in Utah range from $93.83 to $1044.95, with a median cost of $390.79 based on negotiated rates from major insurers. Self-pay patients often qualify for discounts of 15-30% off these rates, particularly at independent practices. Many Utah providers offer payment plans to help manage costs, and some community health centers provide sliding scale fees based on income.

Does Utah Medicaid cover Brain MRI visits?

Yes, Utah Medicaid covers medically necessary Brain MRI visits following the state's Medicaid expansion. Coverage typically requires a referral from your primary care physician and prior authorization through your managed care organization. Medicaid patients should verify that their chosen Brain MRI specialist participates in Utah's Medicaid program, as not all providers accept these patients due to lower reimbursement rates.

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

Compare costs across Utah's 349 Brain MRI providers by requesting cash-pay quotes and checking for self-pay discounts of 15-30%. Community health centers throughout Utah offer sliding scale fees based on income, while some providers offer payment plans for expensive procedures. Independent practices typically charge less than hospital-based clinics, though you'll want to verify credentials and insurance acceptance before scheduling.

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

Initial Brain MRI consultations typically cost more than follow-up visits due to the comprehensive evaluation and diagnostic workup required. New patient visits involve detailed medical history review and extensive neurological examination, while follow-ups focus on specific concerns or treatment monitoring. The exact cost difference varies by provider and complexity, but initial visits generally run 25-50% higher than established patient appointments.

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

Yes, Brain MRI consultations qualify as eligible medical expenses for both Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) in Utah. You can use these tax-advantaged funds to pay deductibles, copays, and any out-of-network costs associated with your visit. Keep all receipts and documentation for tax purposes, as the IRS may require proof that expenses were medically necessary.

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

Telemedicine consultations with Brain MRI specialists typically cost 20-40% less than in-person visits in Utah, though hands-on neurological examinations require physical presence. Many Utah insurers now cover telehealth visits at the same rate as office visits, making virtual consultations an affordable option for follow-ups or second opinions. Rural Utah patients particularly benefit from telehealth options, saving travel costs and time while accessing specialists based along the Wasatch Front.

Click a state to compare costs

Average Visit Cost

$265

$1,291

Office visit (CPT 70553)

Compare With Other States

Rank	State	Average↓	Min⇅	Max⇅	Providers⇅
1	North Dakota(ND) Range: $221 – $3,100	$1,291	$221	$3,100	649
2	Minnesota(MN) Range: $88 – $3,100	$1,247	$88	$3,100	3,070
3	Wisconsin(WI) Range: $80 – $2,464	$975	$80	$2,464	4,163
4	Nevada(NV) Range: $135 – $1,458	$698	$135	$1,458	2,580
5	Georgia(GA) Range: $101 – $1,468	$653	$101	$1,468	3,018
6	Hawaii(HI) Range: $88 – $1,014	$577	$88	$1,014	99
7	Massachusetts(MA) Range: $90 – $1,060	$567	$90	$1,060	1,770
8	Maine(ME) Range: $178 – $1,023	$548	$178	$1,023	1,697
9	Wyoming(WY) Range: $100 – $1,112	$537	$100	$1,112	183
10	Utah(UT) Range: $94 – $1,045	$510	$94	$1,045	349
11	Nebraska(NE) Range: $208 – $793	$504	$208	$793	2,641
12	New Mexico(NM) Range: $98 – $1,063	$492	$98	$1,063	1,235
13	New Hampshire(NH) Range: $129 – $993	$489	$129	$993	3,685
14	Washington(WA) Range: $100 – $863	$489	$100	$863	3,337
15	North Carolina(NC) Range: $99 – $988	$485	$99	$988	2,437
16	Iowa(IA) Range: $95 – $842	$483	$95	$842	409
17	Colorado(CO) Range: $95 – $1,015	$475	$95	$1,015	1,451
18	Indiana(IN) Range: $85 – $1,014	$471	$85	$1,014	360
19	Louisiana(LA) Range: $92 – $766	$468	$92	$766	1,172
20	Alaska(AK) Range: $97 – $948	$454	$97	$948	43
21	South Dakota(SD) Range: $247 – $552	$450	$247	$552	321
22	West Virginia(WV) Range: $98 – $687	$446	$98	$687	268
23	Vermont(VT) Range: $82 – $983	$443	$82	$983	345
24	Virginia(VA) Range: $76 – $970	$437	$76	$970	3,183
25	Michigan(MI) Range: $80 – $917	$430	$80	$917	2,202
26	Rhode Island(RI) Range: $88 – $879	$429	$88	$879	84
27	Idaho(ID) Range: $88 – $793	$428	$88	$793	136
28	District of Columbia(DC) Range: $90 – $879	$426	$90	$879	333
29	Oregon(OR) Range: $103 – $623	$426	$103	$623	662
30	Illinois(IL) Range: $93 – $842	$417	$93	$842	5,703
31	New York(NY) Range: $82 – $926	$417	$82	$926	32,184
32	Tennessee(TN) Range: $109 – $823	$417	$109	$823	2,409
33	Montana(MT) Range: $100 – $590	$414	$100	$590	91
34	Kansas(KS) Range: $107 – $818	$401	$107	$818	1,840
35	Kentucky(KY) Range: $83 – $842	$398	$83	$842	225
36	South Carolina(SC) Range: $82 – $829	$390	$82	$829	1,282
37	Alabama(AL) Range: $88 – $811	$384	$88	$811	2,663
38	Pennsylvania(PA) Range: $57 – $879	$384	$57	$879	1,970
39	Oklahoma(OK) Range: $85 – $817	$377	$85	$817	2,094
40	Mississippi(MS) Range: $89 – $811	$376	$89	$811	1,312
41	New Jersey(NJ) Range: $63 – $830	$374	$63	$830	7,290
42	Ohio(OH) Range: $78 – $813	$373	$78	$813	4,538
43	Texas(TX) Range: $90 – $721	$355	$90	$721	10,894
44	Maryland(MD) Range: $46 – $737	$351	$46	$737	4,016
45	Delaware(DE) Range: $98 – $596	$345	$98	$596	199
46	Missouri(MO) Range: $115 – $628	$342	$115	$628	5,338
47	Arkansas(AR) Range: $104 – $630	$340	$104	$630	131
48	Connecticut(CT) Range: $55 – $777	$337	$55	$777	896
49	Florida(FL) Range: $35 – $811	$302	$35	$811	4,998
50	Arizona(AZ) Range: $100 – $550	$288	$100	$550	4,828
51	California(CA) Range: $55 – $654	$265	$55	$654	9,774