Cost of a Knee MRI Visit
in Alaska
Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC
Alaska's vast geography and limited healthcare infrastructure create unique challenges for patients seeking specialized care, with medical costs running approximately 35% higher than the national average. Knee MRI patients in the state face significant cost variations depending on location and facility type, though transparent pricing data from insurance negotiated rates shows more predictable ranges than previously available. With 47 active Knee MRI providers across Alaska's expansive territory, patients can explore options and compare costs before scheduling their appointment.
Average
$261
Median
$198
Lowest
$59
Highest
$527
Providers
47
3% below national average
Compare Similar Procedures
How does mri knee compare to related procedures in Alaska?
| Procedure | CPT | Low | Median | High | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MRI Brain MRI of the brain with and without contrast | 70553 | $97 | $317 | $948 | 43 |
| MRI Lumbar Spine MRI of the lumbar spine without contrast | 72148 | $73 | $2,851 | $2,851 | 361 |
| CT Abdomen & Pelvis CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast | 74177 | $85 | $1,834 | $1,834 | 375 |
| CT Chest CT scan of the chest with contrast | 71260 | $54 | $169 | $449 | 58 |
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.
Why Knee MRI Visit Costs Vary Across Alaska
Healthcare costs in Alaska run approximately 35% above national averages due to the state's isolation, harsh climate, and challenging logistics for medical equipment and supplies. The concentration of advanced imaging equipment in a few major population centers creates access barriers and price disparities across the state's 663,300 square miles.
Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability
Anchorage and Fairbanks contain the majority of Alaska's MRI facilities, while rural communities often require patients to travel hundreds of miles for imaging services. This geographic concentration allows urban facilities to maintain higher pricing due to limited competition, while rural areas may lack MRI capability entirely.
Facility Type and Overhead Costs
Hospital-based imaging departments in Alaska typically charge premium rates due to higher overhead costs associated with 24/7 operations and emergency capabilities. Independent imaging centers, primarily located in Anchorage, often provide more competitive pricing but may have limited hours and appointment availability.
Insurance Market Competition in Alaska
Premera Blue Cross dominates Alaska's insurance market with limited competition from other carriers, resulting in less aggressive rate negotiations with imaging providers. This market concentration contributes to higher negotiated rates compared to states with more competitive insurance landscapes.
Physician Supply and Demand in Alaska
With 47 active Knee MRI providers serving Alaska's population, the state maintains adequate radiologist coverage in urban areas but faces shortages in rural regions. This supply imbalance creates pricing pressure in underserved areas while allowing urban providers to maintain premium rates due to consistent demand.
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 — Knee MRI Costs in Alaska
What is the average cost of a Knee MRI visit in Alaska without insurance?
Does Alaska Medicaid cover Knee MRI visits?
How do I find an affordable Knee MRI near me in Alaska?
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 Knee MRI visit in Alaska?
How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Knee MRI in Alaska?
Click a state to compare costs
Average Visit Cost
Office visit (CPT 73721)
Compare With Other States
| Rank | State | Average↓ |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Georgia Range: $64 – $1,036 | $447 |
| 2 | Wisconsin Range: $73 – $1,001 | $404 |
| 3 | Maine Range: $105 – $701 | $366 |
| 4 | Nevada Range: $80 – $642 | $357 |
| 5 | Wyoming Range: $59 – $697 | $336 |
| 6 | Massachusetts Range: $70 – $590 | $329 |
| 7 | Hawaii Range: $75 – $505 | $322 |
| 8 | Nebraska Range: $123 – $504 | $322 |
| 9 | Minnesota Range: $83 – $507 | $306 |
| 10 | Colorado Range: $60 – $642 | $299 |
| 11 | Washington Range: $59 – $505 | $297 |
| 12 | New Hampshire Range: $77 – $590 | $296 |
| 13 | Iowa Range: $80 – $516 | $296 |
| 14 | Illinois Range: $69 – $595 | $295 |
| 15 | North Carolina Range: $65 – $580 | $290 |
| 16 | Indiana Range: $59 – $595 | $284 |
| 17 | Vermont Range: $57 – $617 | $281 |
| 18 | New Mexico Range: $57 – $588 | $281 |
| 19 | West Virginia Range: $71 – $425 | $274 |
| 20 | Utah Range: $59 – $504 | $273 |
| 21 | District of Columbia Range: $53 – $560 | $272 |
| 22 | Louisiana Range: $55 – $429 | $270 |
| 23 | Rhode Island Range: $59 – $537 | $267 |
| 24 | Oregon Range: $75 – $393 | $265 |
| 25 | Virginia Range: $45 – $569 | $262 |
| 26 | New York Range: $48 – $582 | $262 |
| 27 | South Dakota Range: $131 – $327 | $262 |
| 28 | Alaska Range: $59 – $527 | $261 |
| 29 | Idaho Range: $59 – $462 | $255 |
| 30 | Michigan Range: $62 – $506 | $252 |
| 31 | Kansas Range: $65 – $504 | $249 |
| 32 | Montana Range: $59 – $358 | $248 |
| 33 | Tennessee Range: $66 – $479 | $247 |
| 34 | North Dakota Range: $83 – $327 | $246 |
| 35 | Kentucky Range: $59 – $492 | $242 |
| 36 | Missouri Range: $69 – $461 | $238 |
| 37 | Alabama Range: $53 – $479 | $232 |
| 38 | Pennsylvania Range: $55 – $506 | $232 |
| 39 | Texas Range: $59 – $464 | $230 |
| 40 | South Carolina Range: $58 – $468 | $230 |
| 41 | Delaware Range: $63 – $399 | $226 |
| 42 | California Range: $75 – $505 | $220 |
| 43 | Mississippi Range: $52 – $465 | $220 |
| 44 | Oklahoma Range: $55 – $464 | $219 |
| 45 | New Jersey Range: $47 – $466 | $219 |
| 46 | Maryland Range: $26 – $457 | $218 |
| 47 | Ohio Range: $45 – $452 | $214 |
| 48 | Connecticut Range: $55 – $472 | $211 |
| 49 | Arkansas Range: $66 – $327 | $192 |
| 50 | Florida Range: $35 – $479 | $191 |
| 51 | Arizona Range: $59 – $350 | $183 |