Arizona

Cost of a Knee MRI Visit
in Arizona

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

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

Arizona's healthcare market operates approximately 5% above national cost averages, with a competitive ambulatory surgery center landscape that benefits patients seeking imaging services. Knee MRI patients in Arizona typically pay between $58.90 and $350.00 for their visit, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $138.66 across the state's 5,301 active providers. Arizona residents can browse all available Knee MRI providers to compare costs and find the most affordable option for their specific insurance plan.

Average

$183

Median

$139

Lowest

$59

Highest

$350

Providers

5,301

National avg: $268Arizona: $183

32% below national average

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Just $19.99/mo

Compare Similar Procedures

How does mri knee compare to related procedures in Arizona?

Procedure	CPT	Low	Median	High	Providers
MRI Brain MRI of the brain with and without contrast	70553	$100	$215	$550	4,828
MRI Lumbar Spine MRI of the lumbar spine without contrast	72148	$65	$123	$356	4,375
CT Abdomen & Pelvis CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast	74177	$79	$203	$482	7,431
CT Chest CT scan of the chest with contrast	71260	$54	$115	$267	6,691

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 Arizona

Arizona's healthcare costs run approximately 5% above national averages, driven by rapid population growth and concentrated urban development in Phoenix and Tucson metropolitan areas. The state's expansive geography creates distinct cost patterns between densely populated urban corridors and rural communities with limited provider options.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

Phoenix and Tucson metro areas contain the majority of Arizona's imaging facilities, creating competitive pricing in these markets. Rural counties often have limited imaging options, requiring patients to travel significant distances and potentially face higher costs due to reduced provider competition.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Hospital-based outpatient imaging departments typically charge premium rates compared to independent imaging centers throughout Arizona. Major health systems like Banner Health and Dignity Health operate numerous facilities across the state, with their pricing often reflecting higher overhead costs than standalone radiology practices.

Insurance Market Competition in Arizona

UHC, BCBS AZ, and Aetna maintain significant market presence across Arizona, creating moderate competition that helps control negotiated rates. The state's competitive insurance marketplace generally provides patients with multiple plan options, though rural areas may have fewer carrier choices affecting pricing dynamics.

Physician Supply and Demand in Arizona

With 5,301 active Knee MRI providers, Arizona maintains adequate specialist availability relative to its population, particularly in metropolitan areas. This robust provider supply helps moderate pricing through competition, though geographic distribution remains uneven with rural areas experiencing longer wait times and potentially higher costs.

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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 Arizona

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

Without insurance, knee MRI costs in Arizona range from $58.90 to $350.00, with a median cost of $138.66 based on negotiated rates from thousands of providers. Self-pay patients often receive discounts of 20-40% off standard rates when paying cash upfront. Many imaging centers offer payment plans to help manage these costs over several months.

Does Arizona Medicaid cover Knee MRI visits?

Arizona's expanded Medicaid program covers medically necessary knee MRIs, typically requiring prior authorization from your primary care provider or orthopedic specialist. Coverage includes both the imaging procedure and radiologist interpretation fees. Patients may have small copays depending on their specific Medicaid managed care plan, but most costs are covered when the MRI is deemed medically appropriate.

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

Compare prices across independent imaging centers versus hospital-based facilities, as independents often charge 30-50% less for the same service. Ask about cash-pay discounts, senior discounts, or payment plans if you're uninsured or have high deductibles. Community health centers in Phoenix and Tucson may offer sliding-scale pricing based on income for qualifying patients.

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

Knee MRI imaging costs remain consistent at $58.90 to $350.00 regardless of whether it's ordered during an initial consultation or follow-up visit. However, the physician consultation fees vary, with new patient visits typically costing more than established patient follow-ups. The actual MRI procedure and interpretation fees are the same, but additional consultation charges depend on the complexity of your case and time spent with the physician.

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

Yes, knee MRI procedures qualify as eligible medical expenses for both HSA and FSA accounts when medically necessary. You can use these pre-tax dollars to pay for the imaging study, radiologist interpretation, and any related consultation fees. Keep all receipts and documentation from your healthcare provider showing the medical necessity for your records and potential reimbursement claims.

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

While the actual MRI scan must be performed in person at an imaging facility, many Arizona providers offer telehealth consultations to review results and discuss treatment options. These virtual follow-up appointments typically cost $50-150 less than in-person visits and can save travel time, especially for rural patients. Some providers offer telehealth consultations for initial symptom evaluation before determining if MRI imaging is necessary.

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Average Visit Cost