Alabama

Cost of a Knee MRI Visit
in Alabama

Name: MRI Knee Cost in Alabama (2026)
Creator: Jayant Panwar
Published: 2026-03-18

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

Alabama patients benefit from Knee MRI costs that run approximately 25% below national averages, reflecting the state's lower healthcare overhead and competitive provider landscape. Patients typically pay between $53 and $479 for a Knee MRI visit, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $163 across Alabama's 2,672 active providers. Alabama maintains a robust network of Knee MRI specialists throughout the state, allowing patients to browse all available providers and compare costs before booking their appointment.

Average

$232

Median

$163

Lowest

$53

Highest

$479

Providers

2,672

National avg: $268Alabama: $232

14% below national average

Compare Similar Procedures

How does mri knee compare to related procedures in Alabama?

Procedure	CPT	Low	Median	High	Providers
MRI Brain MRI of the brain with and without contrast	70553	$88	$253	$811	2,663
MRI Lumbar Spine MRI of the lumbar spine without contrast	72148	$59	$157	$452	2,384
CT Abdomen & Pelvis CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast	74177	$71	$202	$460	2,711
CT Chest CT scan of the chest with contrast	71260	$48	$139	$332	2,695

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 73721 — MRI any joint of lower extremity without 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 73721 covers

Data source: Cost figures are derived from UnitedHealthcare Transparency in Coverage machine-readable files for CPT code 73721 (MRI any joint of lower extremity without contrast), as mandated by the CMS Price Transparency Rule.

What CPT 73721 covers: the provider's professional fee for mri knee. 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 Knee MRI Visit Costs Vary Across Alabama

Alabama's healthcare costs run approximately 8% below national averages, driven by lower operational costs, modest real estate values, and competitive provider markets in key metropolitan areas. The state's mix of urban medical centers in Birmingham, Mobile, and Huntsville contrasts sharply with rural counties where provider access remains limited, creating significant cost and availability disparities across Alabama's diverse geography.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

Alabama's rural counties, particularly in the Black Belt region, face significant challenges accessing specialized imaging services, often requiring patients to travel to Birmingham, Montgomery, or Mobile for Knee MRI appointments. Urban areas like Jefferson County and Mobile County maintain robust provider networks with multiple imaging centers competing on price and convenience. This geographic disparity means rural patients may face both higher travel costs and longer wait times, while urban patients benefit from competitive pricing and same-day availability.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Hospital-based outpatient imaging centers in Alabama typically charge higher facility fees compared to independent imaging centers, reflecting different overhead structures and billing practices. Major health systems like UAB Health System, Baptist Health, and Mobile Infirmary operate numerous hospital-affiliated imaging centers that may carry premium pricing but offer integrated care coordination. Freestanding imaging centers throughout Alabama often provide the most cost-effective option for routine MRI studies while maintaining comparable quality standards.

Insurance Market Competition in Alabama

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama maintains dominant market share across the state, limiting competitive pressure on negotiated rates compared to states with more diverse insurer participation. This market concentration creates predictable provider networks but may result in higher negotiated rates than in more competitive insurance markets. Limited competition from national insurers like UnitedHealthcare and Aetna means fewer plan options for Alabama consumers, though employer-sponsored plans often provide better negotiated rates than individual market policies.

Physician Supply and Demand in Alabama

Alabama's 2,672 active Knee MRI providers represent solid availability relative to the state's population, indicating adequate supply in most metropolitan areas while rural regions continue experiencing provider shortages. This supply-demand balance helps maintain reasonable pricing pressure in urban markets like Birmingham and Huntsville, where multiple providers compete for patients. Rural areas with limited provider options may see higher prices due to reduced competition, though telemedicine consultation options are expanding access to specialist expertise across underserved Alabama communities.

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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 — Knee MRI Costs in Alabama

What is the average cost of a Knee MRI visit in Alabama without insurance?

Without insurance, Alabama patients typically pay between $53 and $479 for a Knee MRI visit, with a median cost of $163 based on negotiated rates across 2,672 providers statewide. Cash-pay patients often receive discounts of 30-50% off standard rates, making the actual out-of-pocket cost potentially lower than these figures. Many Alabama imaging centers offer payment plans to help uninsured patients manage these costs over several months without interest charges.

Does Alabama Medicaid cover Knee MRI visits?

Alabama Medicaid covers medically necessary Knee MRI visits when properly authorized through the state's managed care organizations, though prior approval is typically required. Since Alabama chose not to expand Medicaid, many working adults don't qualify for coverage, leaving them responsible for full costs unless they have employer-sponsored insurance. Eligible Medicaid recipients usually pay minimal copays for approved imaging services, making coverage verification essential before scheduling appointments.

How do I find an affordable Knee MRI near me in Alabama?

Compare prices between hospital-based imaging centers and independent radiology practices, as freestanding facilities often offer lower costs for the same quality MRI studies. Ask about self-pay discounts if you're uninsured or paying out-of-pocket before meeting your deductible, as many Alabama providers offer substantial reductions for cash payments. Community health centers in Birmingham, Mobile, and other cities may provide sliding-scale pricing based on income for qualifying patients.

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

Based on Alabama's negotiated rates, initial Knee MRI consultations typically cost more than follow-up visits due to the comprehensive nature of new patient evaluations and longer appointment times. Many providers charge the same facility fee for MRI imaging regardless of whether it's an initial or follow-up study, though the associated consultation fees may vary. Follow-up visits often focus on reviewing previous imaging results and discussing treatment progress, requiring less time and resources than comprehensive initial evaluations.

Can I use an HSA or FSA to pay for a Knee MRI visit in Alabama?

Yes, both HSA and FSA funds can be used to pay for medically necessary Knee MRI visits in Alabama, including diagnostic imaging, consultation fees, and related medical expenses. These tax-advantaged accounts help reduce your effective cost by using pre-tax dollars for qualified medical expenses. Keep all receipts and documentation, as you may need to provide proof that the imaging was medically necessary rather than for general screening purposes.

How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Knee MRI in Alabama?

Telemedicine consultations in Alabama typically cost less than in-person visits for discussing MRI results or follow-up care, though the actual imaging must still be performed at a facility. Many Alabama providers offer telehealth options for initial consultations, result reviews, and follow-up appointments, reducing overall healthcare costs by eliminating travel time and facility overhead. Alabama's expanded telehealth coverage during recent years has made remote consultations more accessible and affordable for patients across the state's rural areas.

Click a state to compare costs

Average Visit Cost

$183

$447

Office visit (CPT 73721)

Compare With Other States

Rank	State	Average↓	Min⇅	Max⇅	Providers⇅
1	Georgia(GA) Range: $64 – $1,036	$447	$64	$1,036	3,069
2	Wisconsin(WI) Range: $73 – $1,001	$404	$73	$1,001	5,766
3	Maine(ME) Range: $105 – $701	$366	$105	$701	1,696
4	Nevada(NV) Range: $80 – $642	$357	$80	$642	2,603
5	Wyoming(WY) Range: $59 – $697	$336	$59	$697	183
6	Massachusetts(MA) Range: $70 – $590	$329	$70	$590	1,753
7	Hawaii(HI) Range: $75 – $505	$322	$75	$505	106
8	Nebraska(NE) Range: $123 – $504	$322	$123	$504	2,645
9	Minnesota(MN) Range: $83 – $507	$306	$83	$507	3,234
10	Colorado(CO) Range: $60 – $642	$299	$60	$642	1,531
11	Washington(WA) Range: $59 – $505	$297	$59	$505	3,351
12	New Hampshire(NH) Range: $77 – $590	$296	$77	$590	3,687
13	Iowa(IA) Range: $80 – $516	$296	$80	$516	523
14	Illinois(IL) Range: $69 – $595	$295	$69	$595	7,078
15	North Carolina(NC) Range: $65 – $580	$290	$65	$580	2,625
16	Indiana(IN) Range: $59 – $595	$284	$59	$595	374
17	Vermont(VT) Range: $57 – $617	$281	$57	$617	342
18	New Mexico(NM) Range: $57 – $588	$281	$57	$588	1,220
19	West Virginia(WV) Range: $71 – $425	$274	$71	$425	275
20	Utah(UT) Range: $59 – $504	$273	$59	$504	354
21	District of Columbia(DC) Range: $53 – $560	$272	$53	$560	333
22	Louisiana(LA) Range: $55 – $429	$270	$55	$429	1,325
23	Rhode Island(RI) Range: $59 – $537	$267	$59	$537	84
24	Oregon(OR) Range: $75 – $393	$265	$75	$393	711
25	Virginia(VA) Range: $45 – $569	$262	$45	$569	3,190
26	New York(NY) Range: $48 – $582	$262	$48	$582	31,869
27	South Dakota(SD) Range: $131 – $327	$262	$131	$327	320
28	Alaska(AK) Range: $59 – $527	$261	$59	$527	47
29	Idaho(ID) Range: $59 – $462	$255	$59	$462	140
30	Michigan(MI) Range: $62 – $506	$252	$62	$506	2,225
31	Kansas(KS) Range: $65 – $504	$249	$65	$504	1,844
32	Montana(MT) Range: $59 – $358	$248	$59	$358	98
33	Tennessee(TN) Range: $66 – $479	$247	$66	$479	2,446
34	North Dakota(ND) Range: $83 – $327	$246	$83	$327	646
35	Kentucky(KY) Range: $59 – $492	$242	$59	$492	218
36	Missouri(MO) Range: $69 – $461	$238	$69	$461	5,342
37	Alabama(AL) Range: $53 – $479	$232	$53	$479	2,672
38	Pennsylvania(PA) Range: $55 – $506	$232	$55	$506	1,965
39	Texas(TX) Range: $59 – $464	$230	$59	$464	9,215
40	South Carolina(SC) Range: $58 – $468	$230	$58	$468	1,323
41	Delaware(DE) Range: $63 – $399	$226	$63	$399	201
42	California(CA) Range: $75 – $505	$220	$75	$505	10,126
43	Mississippi(MS) Range: $52 – $465	$220	$52	$465	1,307
44	Oklahoma(OK) Range: $55 – $464	$219	$55	$464	2,142
45	New Jersey(NJ) Range: $47 – $466	$219	$47	$466	7,266
46	Maryland(MD) Range: $26 – $457	$218	$26	$457	4,019
47	Ohio(OH) Range: $45 – $452	$214	$45	$452	4,556
48	Connecticut(CT) Range: $55 – $472	$211	$55	$472	891
49	Arkansas(AR) Range: $66 – $327	$192	$66	$327	128
50	Florida(FL) Range: $35 – $479	$191	$35	$479	4,991
51	Arizona(AZ) Range: $59 – $350	$183	$59	$350	5,301