Cost of a Knee MRI Visit
in Colorado
Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC
Colorado's healthcare market runs approximately 7% above national averages, with over 1,531 active Knee MRI providers across the state's diverse urban and rural landscape. Knee MRI patients typically pay between $59.55 and $641.60, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $194.36 depending on facility type and insurance coverage. Colorado patients can browse all available providers to find the most affordable option in their area.
Average
$299
Median
$194
Lowest
$60
Highest
$642
Providers
1,531
11% above national average
Compare Similar Procedures
How does mri knee compare to related procedures in Colorado?
| Procedure | CPT | Low | Median | High | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MRI Brain MRI of the brain with and without contrast | 70553 | $95 | $315 | $1,015 | 1,451 |
| MRI Lumbar Spine MRI of the lumbar spine without contrast | 72148 | $65 | $188 | $663 | 1,437 |
| CT Abdomen & Pelvis CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast | 74177 | $80 | $257 | $672 | 1,656 |
| CT Chest CT scan of the chest with contrast | 71260 | $55 | $157 | $441 | 1,721 |
| DEXA Scan Bone density and body composition imaging | 77080 | $8 | $39 | $90 | 1,411 |
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 Colorado
Colorado healthcare costs run approximately 7% above national averages, driven by the state's unique mix of high-altitude communities and major metropolitan areas. The competitive ASC market in Denver creates pricing dynamics that differ significantly from rural mountain towns with limited provider options.
Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability
The Denver-Boulder metropolitan area concentrates most of Colorado's 1,531 Knee MRI providers, while residents of the Western Slope and Eastern Plains face longer travel distances and fewer options. Rural areas often rely on critical access hospitals with higher overhead costs, contributing to price variations across the state. Mountain communities may have seasonal provider availability that affects appointment scheduling and pricing.
Facility Type and Overhead Costs
Hospital-based outpatient clinics affiliated with systems like Presbyterian/St. Joseph, Porter Adventist, and University of Colorado Hospital typically charge facility fees that independent practices do not. Ambulatory surgery centers in the Denver metro area offer competitive pricing due to lower overhead compared to hospital settings. Free-standing imaging centers and independent practices often provide the most cost-effective options for routine Knee MRI visits.
Insurance Market Competition in Colorado
UHC, Anthem, and Kaiser dominate Colorado's insurance market, with each maintaining different provider networks and negotiated rates. The competitive marketplace exchange offers multiple plan options that create pricing pressure on providers. Strong insurer competition generally benefits consumers through better negotiated rates and network adequacy requirements.
Physician Supply and Demand in Colorado
With 1,531 active Knee MRI providers statewide, Colorado maintains adequate specialist availability in urban areas but faces shortages in rural regions. The Denver area has sufficient provider density to support competitive pricing, while mountain and plains communities may experience longer wait times and higher costs. Provider shortage areas may qualify for enhanced Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement rates.
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 Colorado
What is the average cost of a Knee MRI visit in Colorado without insurance?
Does Colorado Medicaid cover Knee MRI visits?
How do I find an affordable Knee MRI near me in Colorado?
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 Colorado?
How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Knee MRI in Colorado?
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 |