Maryland

Cost of a Knee MRI Visit
in Maryland

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

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

Maryland's rate-setting system for hospitals creates unique pricing transparency for Knee MRI procedures, with the state maintaining costs approximately 13% above national averages. Patients typically pay between $26 and $457 for Knee MRI imaging, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $172 across Maryland's 4,019 active providers. Browse all Knee MRI providers in Maryland to compare costs and verify insurance coverage before scheduling your appointment.

Average

$218

Median

$172

Lowest

$26

Highest

$457

Providers

4,019

National avg: $268Maryland: $218

19% below national average

Compare Similar Procedures

How does mri knee compare to related procedures in Maryland?

Procedure	CPT	Low	Median	High	Providers
MRI Brain MRI of the brain with and without contrast	70553	$46	$271	$737	4,016
MRI Lumbar Spine MRI of the lumbar spine without contrast	72148	$29	$177	$447	4,003
CT Abdomen & Pelvis CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast	74177	$36	$204	$594	4,071
CT Chest CT scan of the chest with contrast	71260	$24	$124	$335	4,048

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 Maryland

Maryland's healthcare costs run approximately 13% above national averages, driven by the state's affluent population centers and proximity to Washington D.C.'s high-cost medical market. The state's unique hospital rate-setting system provides cost transparency but doesn't always translate to lower patient bills for imaging services.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

Baltimore-Washington corridor concentration creates intense provider competition and higher facility costs, while rural Eastern Shore and Western Maryland counties offer fewer but more affordable imaging options. Montgomery and Prince George's counties command premium pricing due to high median incomes and proximity to federal workers with generous health benefits. Rural patients may travel over an hour to reach the nearest MRI facility, but often find significantly lower prices.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Johns Hopkins, University of Maryland Medical System, and MedStar Health operate major hospital-based imaging centers with higher overhead costs reflected in pricing. Independent imaging centers and outpatient radiology groups typically offer 30-50% lower rates for identical knee MRI procedures. Hospital systems justify premium pricing through subspecialist radiologists and advanced 3T MRI technology.

Insurance Market Competition in Maryland

CareFirst BCBS maintains the largest market share, followed by UHC and Aetna, creating moderate insurer competition that helps control negotiated rates. The state's small geographic area means insurers can build comprehensive networks without extensive rural provider subsidies. Maryland's educated, employed population maintains high commercial insurance rates, giving insurers leverage in rate negotiations with imaging providers.

Physician Supply and Demand in Maryland

With 4,019 active Knee MRI providers, Maryland maintains excellent radiologist availability relative to its population of 6.2 million residents. The state's medical schools and proximity to major metropolitan areas attract specialists, preventing supply-driven price inflation. High provider density in central Maryland creates competitive pricing, while rural areas maintain adequate access without oversupply.

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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 Maryland

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

Uninsured patients in Maryland pay between $26 and $457 for Knee MRI procedures, with a median cost of $172 across the state's imaging providers. Independent radiology centers typically charge less than hospital-based facilities for identical studies. Many facilities offer cash-pay discounts of 20-40% when payment is made upfront, bringing costs down from the standard rates.

Does Maryland Medicaid cover Knee MRI visits?

Yes, Maryland expanded Medicaid covers medically necessary Knee MRI procedures when ordered by a physician and performed at participating imaging centers. Patients typically pay minimal copays or coinsurance for covered imaging services. Prior authorization may be required for some MRI studies, so check with your provider before scheduling to avoid coverage issues.

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

Compare prices between hospital-based imaging centers and independent radiology practices, as independents often charge 30-50% less for identical procedures. Ask about cash-pay discounts if you're uninsured or have a high-deductible plan, and consider traveling to rural areas where costs are typically lower. Community health centers and imaging chains frequently offer competitive pricing for knee MRI studies.

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

The pricing data shows Knee MRI imaging costs ranging from $26 to $457 with a median of $172, but these represent the imaging procedure itself rather than consultation visits. Radiologist interpretation is typically included in the imaging fee, though some facilities may charge separately for reads. Follow-up MRI studies cost the same as initial imaging unless your provider offers package pricing for serial monitoring.

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

Yes, Knee MRI procedures qualify as eligible medical expenses for both Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) when ordered by a physician for diagnostic purposes. Keep your receipt and physician's order as documentation for tax purposes. Using HSA or FSA funds provides tax advantages that effectively reduce your out-of-pocket imaging costs.

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

Telemedicine consultations with radiologists or orthopedic specialists can reduce overall healthcare costs by eliminating unnecessary in-person visits for results review or follow-up discussions. Maryland providers increasingly offer telehealth options for pre-imaging consultations and post-procedure result explanations. However, the actual MRI imaging procedure must be performed in-person at an imaging facility, so telehealth primarily reduces ancillary consultation costs.

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