Delaware

Cost of a Knee MRI Visit
in Delaware

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

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

Delaware's concentrated healthcare market, dominated by three major health systems serving just three counties, creates unique pricing dynamics for medical imaging services. Knee MRI patients across the First State typically pay between $63 and $399, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $215 based on negotiated insurance rates from 201 active providers. Browse all Delaware Knee MRI providers to compare costs and find the most affordable option for your specific insurance plan.

Average

$226

Median

$215

Lowest

$63

Highest

$399

Providers

201

National avg: $268Delaware: $226

16% below national average

Compare Similar Procedures

How does mri knee compare to related procedures in Delaware?

Procedure	CPT	Low	Median	High	Providers
MRI Brain MRI of the brain with and without contrast	70553	$98	$340	$596	199
MRI Lumbar Spine MRI of the lumbar spine without contrast	72148	$66	$203	$363	187
CT Abdomen & Pelvis CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast	74177	$73	$225	$651	103
CT Chest CT scan of the chest with contrast	71260	$61	$177	$273	205

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 Delaware

Delaware's healthcare costs run approximately 11% above national averages, driven by limited insurer competition and the state's small geographic footprint that concentrates most specialists in New Castle County. The First State's unique position between major metropolitan markets influences pricing, as providers compete with Philadelphia and Baltimore facilities for complex cases.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

Most of Delaware's 201 Knee MRI providers cluster in New Castle County around Wilmington, leaving Kent and Sussex counties with fewer options and longer travel times for specialized care. This geographic concentration drives up costs in rural areas where patients have limited choices, while urban areas benefit from more competitive pricing. Southern Delaware residents often travel north for specialized imaging, adding transportation costs to their total healthcare expenses.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

ChristianaCare and Bayhealth dominate Delaware's hospital market, with their imaging centers typically charging premium rates due to academic affiliations and higher overhead costs. Independent imaging centers and outpatient facilities offer lower-cost alternatives, particularly in suburban areas where real estate and staffing costs are reduced. Hospital-based facilities often include facility fees that can double the total cost compared to freestanding centers.

Insurance Market Competition in Delaware

Delaware's small population supports only three major insurers - Highmark, Aetna, and UHC - creating limited competition that keeps negotiated rates higher than in larger states. This concentrated market gives insurers less leverage to negotiate aggressive discounts with the state's major health systems. The lack of a robust individual marketplace also limits consumer choice and price competition.

Physician Supply and Demand in Delaware

With 201 active Knee MRI providers serving under one million residents, Delaware maintains adequate specialist availability compared to national averages, though distribution favors northern counties. This reasonable supply-to-demand ratio helps moderate pricing somewhat, though the concentration of specialists in New Castle County creates access challenges for downstate residents. Wait times for routine Knee MRI appointments typically range from one to three weeks, indicating balanced supply and 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 Delaware

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

Uninsured patients in Delaware typically pay between $63 and $399 for a Knee MRI visit, with most facilities charging around the median rate of $215. These costs reflect negotiated insurance rates and may be reduced further with self-pay discounts that many Delaware providers offer. Hospital-based imaging centers tend toward the higher end of this range, while independent facilities often charge closer to the lower end.

Does Delaware Medicaid cover Knee MRI visits?

Yes, Delaware Medicaid covers medically necessary Knee MRI visits as the state expanded Medicaid under the ACA. Coverage requires prior authorization for non-urgent imaging and a referral from your primary care provider in most cases. Delaware Health and Social Services administers the program, and patients should verify their specific provider accepts Medicaid before scheduling appointments.

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

Compare costs among Delaware's 201 active providers, focusing on independent imaging centers which typically charge less than hospital-based facilities. Ask about self-pay discounts if you're uninsured, and consider facilities in Kent or Sussex counties where overhead costs may be lower. Community health centers throughout Delaware also provide referral services and may offer sliding-scale pricing based on income.

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

Initial Knee MRI consultations typically involve more comprehensive evaluation and cost more than follow-up visits, though the $63-$399 range applies primarily to imaging procedures rather than consultation fees. New patient visits often include detailed history-taking and examination, while follow-up appointments focus on reviewing results and adjusting treatment plans. Most Delaware providers charge separate fees for consultation and imaging services.

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

Yes, Knee MRI visits qualify as eligible medical expenses for both Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA). You can use these tax-advantaged funds to pay for deductibles, copays, and coinsurance related to your imaging appointment. Keep receipts and documentation of medical necessity for tax purposes, as HSA and FSA administrators may require proof that expenses were medically related.

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

Telemedicine consultations with Knee MRI specialists typically cost $50-150 less than in-person visits and are widely available throughout Delaware, particularly beneficial for Sussex County residents. While the actual imaging must be performed in person, initial consultations and follow-up result reviews can often be handled virtually. Delaware expanded telehealth coverage during the pandemic, and most major insurers now cover virtual specialist visits at similar rates to office 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