Arkansas

Cost of a Knee MRI Visit
in Arkansas

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

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

Arkansas ranks among the most rural states in America, with 56% of its population living in rural areas, creating unique challenges for accessing specialized imaging services. Patients seeking a Knee MRI in Arkansas typically pay between $66 and $327 out-of-pocket, with a median cost of $183 based on negotiated insurance rates. The state hosts 128 active Knee MRI providers across its diverse geography, allowing patients to compare options and find affordable care within their insurance network.

Average

$192

Median

$183

Lowest

$66

Highest

$327

Providers

128

National avg: $268Arkansas: $192

28% below national average

Compare Similar Procedures

How does mri knee compare to related procedures in Arkansas?

Procedure	CPT	Low	Median	High	Providers
MRI Brain MRI of the brain with and without contrast	70553	$104	$286	$630	131
MRI Lumbar Spine MRI of the lumbar spine without contrast	72148	$72	$164	$380	133
CT Abdomen & Pelvis CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast	74177	$85	$244	$460	164
CT Chest CT scan of the chest with contrast	71260	$61	$152	$278	149

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 Arkansas

Arkansas's healthcare costs run approximately 12% below national averages, reflecting the state's lower cost of living and rural provider economics. The state's dispersed population creates unique cost pressures, with urban imaging centers serving large catchment areas while rural facilities struggle with lower patient volumes.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

Little Rock, Fayetteville, and Fort Smith contain the majority of Arkansas's advanced MRI facilities, forcing many rural patients to travel significant distances for knee imaging services. This geographic concentration allows urban centers to maintain competitive pricing through higher patient volumes, while rural facilities often charge premium rates to cover fixed equipment costs. The Arkansas Delta region faces particular challenges with limited imaging access, sometimes requiring patients to cross state lines for timely services.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Hospital-affiliated imaging centers in Arkansas carry higher overhead costs due to 24/7 staffing requirements and emergency department integration, typically resulting in facility fees 40-60% above independent clinics. Major health systems like Baptist Health and CHI St. Vincent dominate urban markets, while smaller independent radiology groups serve rural communities with more flexible pricing structures. Outpatient imaging centers often provide the most cost-effective option for routine Knee MRI studies.

Insurance Market Competition in Arkansas

Blue Cross Blue Shield Arkansas's market dominance limits insurer competition, potentially reducing negotiating pressure on imaging facility rates compared to more competitive state markets. The limited number of insurance options on Arkansas's marketplace means many patients have fewer in-network choices for imaging services. This concentration can lead to higher out-of-pocket costs when patients need services outside their insurer's preferred network.

Physician Supply and Demand in Arkansas

With 128 active providers offering Knee MRI services, Arkansas maintains reasonable imaging capacity relative to its population, though geographic distribution heavily favors urban areas. The state faces ongoing challenges recruiting specialists to rural regions, creating pockets of limited availability that can drive up costs and extend wait times. Urban centers like Little Rock benefit from medical school affiliations that attract radiologists, while rural areas often rely on telemedicine for subspecialty interpretations.

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 — Knee MRI Costs in Arkansas

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

Uninsured patients in Arkansas typically pay between $66 and $327 for a Knee MRI, with most facilities charging around the median rate of $183. Many imaging centers offer cash-pay discounts that can reduce these costs by 30-50%, making direct payment sometimes more affordable than high-deductible insurance plans. Independent radiology clinics generally offer lower self-pay rates than hospital-based facilities.

Does Arkansas Medicaid cover Knee MRI visits?

Arkansas Medicaid covers medically necessary Knee MRI studies with prior authorization, but the state chose not to expand Medicaid, leaving many low-income adults without coverage. Traditional Medicaid eligibility in Arkansas is limited primarily to children, pregnant women, elderly, and disabled individuals. Those in the coverage gap may qualify for marketplace subsidies or need to explore cash-pay options at imaging centers offering discounted rates.

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

Compare prices between hospital-based imaging departments and independent radiology clinics, as independents often charge 30-40% less for the same study. Ask about cash-pay discounts even if you have insurance, particularly with high-deductible plans where you'll pay the full negotiated rate. Community health centers in Arkansas may offer sliding-scale pricing for qualifying patients, while some facilities provide interest-free payment plans.

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

Knee MRI is a diagnostic imaging study rather than a consultation, so the cost remains consistent at $66-$327 regardless of whether it's your first or follow-up scan. However, the radiologist interpretation and any associated physician visits will have separate charges. Follow-up MRIs for monitoring treatment progress are typically covered by insurance when medically necessary, though prior authorization requirements may apply.

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

Yes, Knee MRI studies qualify as eligible medical expenses for both Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts, allowing you to pay with pre-tax dollars. This can provide significant savings, especially for Arkansas patients with high-deductible health plans who pay the full negotiated rate. Keep all receipts and documentation, as you may need to submit claims for reimbursement depending on your account setup.

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

Telemedicine doesn't directly change MRI imaging costs, but it can reduce associated consultation fees and travel expenses, particularly valuable for rural Arkansas patients. Remote radiologist consultations for complex cases are often included in the imaging interpretation fee, while follow-up visits to discuss results may be conducted via telehealth at lower cost than in-person appointments. Some Arkansas facilities offer virtual consultations for treatment planning after MRI results are available.

Click a state to compare costs

Average Visit Cost