Alaska

Cost of a Knee MRI Visit
in Alaska

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

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

National avg: $268Alaska: $261

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.

Full data methodology and glossary

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.

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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 Alaska

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

Without insurance, Knee MRI costs in Alaska range from $58.90 to $527.40 based on negotiated rate data, with a median cost of $197.56. Self-pay patients should expect to pay near the median rate, though many facilities offer cash discounts of 20-40% off standard pricing. Alaska's higher healthcare costs mean even discounted rates may exceed national averages, making price comparison essential.

Does Alaska Medicaid cover Knee MRI visits?

Yes, Alaska Medicaid covers medically necessary Knee MRI studies following the state's Medicaid expansion. Prior authorization may be required for non-urgent imaging, and patients typically need a referral from their primary care provider. Coverage includes both the imaging procedure and radiologist interpretation, though patients should verify their specific plan details.

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

Compare prices between hospital-based imaging centers and independent radiology facilities, as independent centers often charge 20-30% less in Alaska. Ask about self-pay discounts, payment plans, and consider facilities in Anchorage where competition may drive lower prices. Community health centers and some facilities offer sliding-scale fees based on income.

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

The provided data focuses specifically on Knee MRI imaging costs rather than consultation fees. However, initial specialist consultations typically cost more than follow-up visits due to comprehensive evaluation requirements. In Alaska, new patient visits often run 25-40% higher than established patient visits due to the extensive time required for initial assessment and treatment planning.

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

Yes, Knee MRI studies qualify as eligible medical expenses for both HSA and FSA accounts when ordered by a physician for diagnostic purposes. Keep all receipts and documentation of medical necessity for tax purposes. Using pre-tax dollars through these accounts can provide significant savings on Alaska's higher-than-average imaging costs.

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

While the MRI scan itself requires in-person imaging, telemedicine can reduce costs for initial consultations and follow-up appointments to review results. Alaska's telehealth expansion has made specialist consultations more accessible and affordable, particularly for patients in remote areas who previously required expensive travel to urban centers. Virtual follow-ups typically cost 20-30% less than in-person visits.

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