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Minnesota

Cost of a Knee MRI Visit
in Minnesota

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

Minnesota's robust healthcare infrastructure includes major health systems like Mayo Clinic and HealthPartners, creating competitive markets for diagnostic imaging services. Knee MRI patients typically pay between $83 and $507, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $327 across 3,234 active providers. Minnesota maintains many active Knee MRI providers throughout the Twin Cities metro and greater Minnesota regions, allowing patients to browse all providers statewide for cost comparison.

Average

$306

Median

$327

Lowest

$83

Highest

$507

Providers

3,234

National avg: $268Minnesota: $306

14% above national average

Compare Similar Procedures

How does mri knee compare to related procedures in Minnesota?

ProcedureCPTLowMedianHighProviders
MRI Brain

MRI of the brain with and without contrast

70553$88$552$3,1003,070
Pelvic Ultrasound

Cost of pelvic ultrasound (transvaginal and pelvic complete) across the US, with state-by-state pricing for both office-based and hospital outpatient settings.

76830$48$48$1862,017
MRI Lumbar Spine

MRI of the lumbar spine without contrast

72148$88$368$2,4503,198
CT Abdomen & Pelvis

CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast

74177$88$101$10,5492,200
CT Chest

CT scan of the chest with contrast

71260$80$171$7,8813,188

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 73721MRI 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 Minnesota

Minnesota healthcare costs run approximately 2% above national averages, reflecting the state's high-quality provider network and strong insurance market competition. The state's geographic spread from the Twin Cities metro to rural northern regions creates distinct cost patterns across different markets.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

The Minneapolis-St. Paul metro concentrates most specialty imaging services, while greater Minnesota relies on regional hospitals and traveling radiologists. Rural patients may face higher costs due to limited competition and travel requirements to urban facilities.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Hospital-based outpatient clinics at major Minnesota health systems like Mayo Clinic, Allina Health, and M Health Fairview typically charge facility fees in addition to professional fees. Independent imaging centers and ambulatory surgery centers often provide more transparent, all-inclusive pricing.

Insurance Market Competition in Minnesota

Strong competition between BCBS MN, UnitedHealthcare, and HealthPartners creates negotiated rate pressure that can benefit patients. The state's cooperative insurance environment and MNsure marketplace provide multiple coverage options, though rural areas may have fewer plan choices.

Physician Supply and Demand in Minnesota

Minnesota's 3,234 active Knee MRI providers indicate robust availability relative to the state's population, particularly concentrated in the Twin Cities and Rochester areas. This healthy supply helps maintain competitive pricing and reasonable wait times for most patients.

JP

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 Minnesota

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

Uninsured patients in Minnesota typically pay between $83 and $507 for a Knee MRI, with a median cost of $327. These rates reflect negotiated insurance prices rather than inflated cash prices, making them more realistic for self-pay patients. Many Minnesota facilities offer cash discounts that can reduce these amounts by 10-30% when paid upfront.

Does Minnesota Medicaid cover Knee MRI visits?

Yes, Minnesota's expanded Medicaid program covers medically necessary Knee MRI visits when ordered by a physician. Prior authorization may be required depending on the specific clinical indication and imaging facility. The state's Medicaid expansion provides broader coverage compared to non-expansion states.

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

Compare costs between hospital-based facilities and independent imaging centers, as the latter often charge less. Look for self-pay discounts at larger Minnesota health systems, and consider community health centers that may offer sliding fee scales. Traveling to suburban or rural facilities can sometimes provide savings compared to downtown Minneapolis or Rochester locations.

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

Initial consultations typically cost more than follow-up visits due to the comprehensive evaluation required for new patients. The cost difference can range from $50-150 depending on the complexity of your case and whether additional procedures are performed. Follow-up visits focus on reviewing results and adjusting treatment plans.

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

Yes, Knee MRI visits 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 deductibles, copays, and any out-of-pocket costs. Keep receipts and documentation for reimbursement or direct payment purposes.

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

Telemedicine consultations for reviewing Knee MRI results typically cost less than in-person visits, often $100-200 compared to full office visit fees. Minnesota's strong telehealth infrastructure allows many specialists to provide remote follow-up care and treatment planning. However, the actual MRI imaging must still be performed at a physical facility.

Click a state to compare costs

Average Visit Cost

$183
$447

Office visit (CPT 73721)

Compare With Other States

RankStateAverage
1Georgia
Range: $64$1,036
$447
2Wisconsin
Range: $73$1,001
$404
3Maine
Range: $105$701
$366
4Nevada
Range: $80$642
$357
5Wyoming
Range: $59$697
$336
6Massachusetts
Range: $70$590
$329
7Hawaii
Range: $75$505
$322
8Nebraska
Range: $123$504
$322
9Minnesota
Range: $83$507
$306
10Colorado
Range: $60$642
$299
11Washington
Range: $59$505
$297
12New Hampshire
Range: $77$590
$296
13Iowa
Range: $80$516
$296
14Illinois
Range: $69$595
$295
15North Carolina
Range: $65$580
$290
16Indiana
Range: $59$595
$284
17Vermont
Range: $57$617
$281
18New Mexico
Range: $57$588
$281
19West Virginia
Range: $71$425
$274
20Utah
Range: $59$504
$273
21District of Columbia
Range: $53$560
$272
22Louisiana
Range: $55$429
$270
23Rhode Island
Range: $59$537
$267
24Oregon
Range: $75$393
$265
25Virginia
Range: $45$569
$262
26New York
Range: $48$582
$262
27South Dakota
Range: $131$327
$262
28Alaska
Range: $59$527
$261
29Idaho
Range: $59$462
$255
30Michigan
Range: $62$506
$252
31Kansas
Range: $65$504
$249
32Montana
Range: $59$358
$248
33Tennessee
Range: $66$479
$247
34North Dakota
Range: $83$327
$246
35Kentucky
Range: $59$492
$242
36Missouri
Range: $69$461
$238
37Alabama
Range: $53$479
$232
38Pennsylvania
Range: $55$506
$232
39Texas
Range: $59$464
$230
40South Carolina
Range: $58$468
$230
41Delaware
Range: $63$399
$226
42California
Range: $75$505
$220
43Mississippi
Range: $52$465
$220
44Oklahoma
Range: $55$464
$219
45New Jersey
Range: $47$466
$219
46Maryland
Range: $26$457
$218
47Ohio
Range: $45$452
$214
48Connecticut
Range: $55$472
$211
49Arkansas
Range: $66$327
$192
50Florida
Range: $35$479
$191
51Arizona
Range: $59$350
$183
MRI Knee in Other States