Cost of a Knee MRI Visit
in Massachusetts
Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC
Massachusetts's concentrated healthcare market, dominated by major academic medical centers and high provider costs that run ~20% above national averages, creates significant price variation for Knee MRI services. Patients typically pay between $69.51 and $589.50, with a median negotiated rate of $327.00 across the state's extensive network of imaging facilities. With over 1,753 active providers offering Knee MRI services throughout Massachusetts, patients can browse all available options to find the most cost-effective care that meets their specific needs.
Average
$329
Median
$327
Lowest
$70
Highest
$590
Providers
1,753
23% above national average
Compare Similar Procedures
How does mri knee compare to related procedures in Massachusetts?
| Procedure | CPT | Low | Median | High | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MRI Brain MRI of the brain with and without contrast | 70553 | $90 | $552 | $1,060 | 1,770 |
| MRI Lumbar Spine MRI of the lumbar spine without contrast | 72148 | $74 | $368 | $590 | 1,481 |
| CT Abdomen & Pelvis CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast | 74177 | $80 | $299 | $896 | 1,427 |
| CT Chest CT scan of the chest with contrast | 71260 | $64 | $171 | $454 | 1,801 |
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 Massachusetts
Massachusetts healthcare costs run approximately 20% above national averages, driven by the state's concentration of prestigious academic medical centers, high cost of living, and robust insurance coverage that reduces price sensitivity. The state's pioneering healthcare reform and highly educated population have created a market where premium services command premium prices, particularly in the Greater Boston area.
Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability
The Greater Boston metropolitan area hosts the majority of Massachusetts's imaging facilities, including numerous hospital-based MRI centers affiliated with world-renowned institutions like Massachusetts General and Brigham and Women's Hospital. Rural areas in western Massachusetts have fewer options, often requiring patients to travel to Springfield, Pittsfield, or even into the Boston area for specialized imaging services. This geographic concentration creates higher demand and pricing in urban areas while limiting competitive pressure in rural regions.
Facility Type and Overhead Costs
Massachusetts's healthcare landscape is dominated by large health systems like Mass General Brigham, Boston Medical Center, and UMass Memorial, which operate high-overhead hospital-based imaging centers. These academic medical centers maintain expensive equipment and specialized staff, resulting in higher costs compared to independent imaging facilities. The state's numerous teaching hospitals also factor research and education costs into their pricing structures, contributing to overall higher rates.
Insurance Market Competition in Massachusetts
The Massachusetts insurance market features moderate competition between BCBS MA, Tufts Health Plan, and Harvard Pilgrim, but market consolidation has reduced competitive pressure on negotiated rates. BCBS MA holds the largest market share, giving it significant negotiating power with providers, while smaller insurers may accept higher rates to maintain adequate networks. The state's regulatory environment and mandatory coverage requirements also influence insurer-provider contract negotiations.
Physician Supply and Demand in Massachusetts
With over 1,753 providers offering Knee MRI services, Massachusetts has a relatively robust supply of imaging facilities compared to many states, particularly concentrated around Boston's medical district. However, the high demand from the state's aging population and active healthcare utilization keeps capacity tight at preferred facilities. This supply-demand balance allows providers to maintain premium pricing, especially at prestigious academic medical centers where patients specifically seek care.
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 Massachusetts
What is the average cost of a Knee MRI visit in Massachusetts without insurance?
Does Massachusetts Medicaid cover Knee MRI visits?
How do I find an affordable Knee MRI near me in Massachusetts?
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 Massachusetts?
How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Knee MRI in Massachusetts?
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 |