Virginia

Cost of a Brain MRI Visit
in Virginia

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

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

Virginia's healthcare market operates roughly 3% above national cost averages, with Anthem, Optima Health, and UHC dominating the insurance landscape across the Commonwealth. Brain MRI patients typically pay between $75.81 and $970.04, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $265.02 based on negotiated insurance rates. Virginia maintains over 3,100 active Brain MRI providers, allowing patients to browse multiple options for cost and convenience across the state.

Average

$437

Median

$265

Lowest

$76

Highest

$970

Providers

3,183

National avg: $478Virginia: $437

9% below national average

Compare Similar Procedures

How does mri brain compare to related procedures in Virginia?

Procedure	CPT	Low	Median	High	Providers
MRI Knee MRI of the knee without contrast	73721	$45	$172	$569	3,190
MRI Lumbar Spine MRI of the lumbar spine without contrast	72148	$49	$157	$553	3,167
CT Abdomen & Pelvis CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast	74177	$60	$214	$514	2,957
CT Chest CT scan of the chest with contrast	71260	$41	$134	$371	2,895

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 Virginia

Virginia's healthcare costs run approximately 3% above national averages, driven by high-income Northern Virginia markets and competitive academic medical centers in Richmond and Charlottesville. The Commonwealth's diverse geography creates distinct cost corridors, from premium-priced Metro DC suburbs to more affordable rural Appalachian and Southside regions.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

Northern Virginia and the Richmond-Norfolk corridor contain the majority of Virginia's Brain MRI specialists, while rural counties in Southwest Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley face significant access challenges. Urban concentration drives competitive pricing in metro areas but creates travel burdens for rural patients seeking specialized neuroimaging services. Telemedicine consultation has improved access, though in-person imaging remains necessary.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Hospital-based outpatient imaging centers typically charge 40-60% more than independent radiology practices across Virginia. Major health systems like VCU Health, UVA Health, and Sentara dominate expensive urban markets, while smaller community hospitals serve rural areas with more limited imaging capabilities. Ambulatory surgery centers and specialty imaging facilities offer middle-ground pricing options in competitive markets.

Insurance Market Competition in Virginia

Anthem holds the largest market share statewide, while Optima Health dominates Hampton Roads and UHC maintains strong Northern Virginia presence. This three-way competition helps moderate negotiated rates compared to single-insurer markets, though rural counties often have fewer plan options. The state's moderate regulatory approach allows insurers to design narrow networks that can reduce premium costs.

Physician Supply and Demand in Virginia

Virginia's 3,100+ Brain MRI providers indicate robust specialist availability relative to the state's 8.6 million residents, concentrated heavily in urban teaching hospital markets. This adequate supply helps maintain competitive pricing and reasonable wait times in metro areas, while rural regions experience both provider shortages and higher per-visit costs. Medical school programs at UVA, VCU, and Eastern Virginia Medical School continue producing new radiologists and neurologists for the state market.

HSA/FSA eligible

A doctor by your side, always

Prescriptions, lab orders, and referrals — instantly

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 Virginia

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

Without insurance, Brain MRI visits in Virginia typically cost between $75.81 and $970.04, with a median price of $265.02 based on negotiated rates from major insurers. Self-pay patients often receive 20-40% discounts from these rates when paying upfront. Many Virginia imaging centers offer payment plans and sliding-scale pricing to make Brain MRI services more affordable for uninsured patients.

Does Virginia Medicaid cover Brain MRI visits?

Yes, Virginia Medicaid covers Brain MRI visits when medically necessary, following the state's expansion in 2019 that added over 600,000 adults to coverage. Medicaid managed care plans typically require referrals from primary care physicians and may need prior authorization for non-emergency imaging. Coverage includes both the professional interpretation fee and facility charges, with no copay for most Medicaid recipients.

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

Compare prices between hospital-based imaging centers and independent radiology practices, as independent facilities often charge 40-60% less in Virginia. Ask about self-pay discounts, payment plans, and sliding-scale pricing if you're uninsured or have a high deductible. Community health centers throughout Virginia also offer reduced-cost Brain MRI services for qualifying low-income patients.

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

Initial Brain MRI consultations typically involve more comprehensive evaluation and interpretation time, while follow-up visits focus on comparing current scans to previous imaging. The actual MRI scan cost remains similar at $265.02 median in Virginia, but interpretation fees may vary. Some providers offer package pricing for patients requiring multiple scans over time to monitor chronic conditions.

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

Yes, Brain MRI visits qualify as eligible medical expenses for both HSA and FSA accounts in Virginia. You can use these tax-advantaged funds to pay for the imaging scan, radiologist interpretation, and any related consultation fees. Keep receipts and documentation showing the medical necessity of your Brain MRI for tax purposes.

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

Telemedicine consultations for Brain MRI results review typically cost 30-50% less than in-person visits in Virginia. Many radiologists now offer virtual follow-up appointments to discuss scan findings and treatment recommendations. However, the actual MRI scan must still be performed at an imaging facility, so telemedicine mainly reduces consultation costs rather than overall imaging expenses.

Click a state to compare costs

Average Visit Cost