Minnesota

Cost of a Knee MRI Visit
in Minnesota

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

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?

Procedure	CPT	Low	Median	High	Providers
MRI Brain MRI of the brain with and without contrast	70553	$88	$552	$3,100	3,070
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	$186	2,017
MRI Lumbar Spine MRI of the lumbar spine without contrast	72148	$88	$368	$2,450	3,198
CT Abdomen & Pelvis CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast	74177	$88	$101	$10,549	2,200
CT Chest CT scan of the chest with contrast	71260	$80	$171	$7,881	3,188

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 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 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.

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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 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

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