Georgia

Cost of a Knee MRI Visit
in Georgia

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

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

Georgia's diverse healthcare landscape, spanning from Atlanta's major medical centers to rural counties with limited imaging facilities, creates significant variation in Knee MRI costs across the state. Based on negotiated insurance rates, patients typically pay between $63.71 and $1035.86 for diagnostic imaging services, with a median cost of $240.34. With over 3,000 active Knee MRI providers throughout Georgia, patients can browse options across metro Atlanta, Augusta, Savannah, and smaller communities statewide.

Average

$447

Median

$240

Lowest

$64

Highest

$1,036

Providers

3,069

National avg: $268Georgia: $447

66% above national average

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Compare Similar Procedures

How does mri knee compare to related procedures in Georgia?

Procedure	CPT	Low	Median	High	Providers
MRI Brain MRI of the brain with and without contrast	70553	$101	$390	$1,468	3,018
MRI Lumbar Spine MRI of the lumbar spine without contrast	72148	$69	$231	$949	2,964
CT Abdomen & Pelvis CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast	74177	$85	$301	$809	3,330
CT Chest CT scan of the chest with contrast	71260	$61	$196	$699	3,315

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 Georgia

Georgia's healthcare costs run approximately 1% below national averages, reflecting the state's moderate cost of living and competitive insurance market. The concentration of major health systems in Atlanta contrasts sharply with rural counties that may have limited imaging options, creating geographic cost disparities throughout the state.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

Metro Atlanta offers dozens of imaging centers within a 20-mile radius, creating competitive pricing pressure, while rural counties in south Georgia may have only one or two MRI facilities. Patients in Augusta, Columbus, and Savannah benefit from multiple academic medical centers and competing health systems. Rural residents often travel 50+ miles for specialized imaging, potentially adding transportation costs to their overall healthcare expenses.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Hospital-owned outpatient imaging centers in Georgia typically charge premium rates due to higher overhead and facility fees. Independent radiology practices and free-standing imaging centers often provide identical quality at lower costs. Major health systems like Emory Healthcare, Piedmont Healthcare, and Augusta University Health influence regional pricing through their market presence.

Insurance Market Competition in Georgia

Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield dominates Georgia's individual market, while UnitedHealthcare and Cigna compete strongly in employer-sponsored plans. This moderate competition helps contain negotiated rates compared to less competitive states. Rural counties may have fewer insurer options, potentially limiting provider network choices and cost transparency.

Physician Supply and Demand in Georgia

With over 3,000 active Knee MRI providers statewide, Georgia maintains adequate imaging capacity in urban areas but faces shortages in rural regions. This supply distribution means Atlanta and suburban counties have competitive wait times and pricing, while rural areas may experience longer scheduling delays. The concentration of medical imaging residency programs at Emory and Medical College of Georgia helps maintain physician supply in metro areas.

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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 Georgia

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

Without insurance, Knee MRI costs in Georgia range from $63.71 to $1035.86, with a median price of $240.34 based on negotiated insurance rates. Uninsured patients may pay different amounts, as many facilities offer cash discounts of 20-40% off standard charges. Independent imaging centers typically cost less than hospital-based facilities for the same study.

Does Georgia Medicaid cover Knee MRI visits?

Georgia has not expanded Medicaid, so coverage remains limited to specific categories including children, pregnant women, and disabled individuals. For eligible patients, Georgia Medicaid covers medically necessary Knee MRI studies when ordered by a physician. Prior authorization may be required, and patients should verify their eligibility status and provider network participation.

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

Compare prices between hospital-owned imaging centers and independent radiology practices, as independents often charge 30-50% less. Ask about cash pay discounts, payment plans, and sliding scale programs if uninsured. Community health centers in Atlanta, Augusta, and other cities may offer reduced-cost imaging services based on income eligibility.

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

Initial Knee MRI consultations typically cost more than follow-up visits due to comprehensive evaluation requirements and longer appointment times. While specific consultation costs weren't provided in our data, the imaging study itself ($63.71 to $1035.86, median $240.34) represents the major expense. Follow-up visits to review results are usually brief and cost significantly less than the initial imaging procedure.

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

Yes, Knee MRI studies qualify as eligible medical expenses for both Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA). You can use these pre-tax dollars to pay for the imaging procedure, radiologist interpretation fees, and any related copays or deductibles. Keep receipts for tax documentation and account reimbursement purposes.

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

Telemedicine consultation for reviewing Knee MRI results typically costs $50-150, significantly less than in-person follow-up visits. Many Georgia radiologists and orthopedic specialists offer virtual consultations to discuss imaging findings and treatment options. However, the MRI procedure itself must be performed in-person at an imaging facility, so telemedicine primarily reduces follow-up visit costs rather than the imaging expense.

Click a state to compare costs

Average Visit Cost

$183