Missouri

Cost of a Knee MRI Visit
in Missouri

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

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

Missouri's position as a Medicaid non-expansion state creates unique cost pressures for patients seeking imaging services, with many uninsured residents relying on self-pay options. Patients seeking a Knee MRI typically pay between $69 and $461, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $183 based on negotiated insurance rates. With over 5,300 active providers offering Knee MRI services across the state, patients can browse all available options to find affordable care in Missouri.

Average

$238

Median

$183

Lowest

$69

Highest

$461

Providers

5,342

National avg: $268Missouri: $238

11% below national average

Compare Similar Procedures

How does mri knee compare to related procedures in Missouri?

Procedure	CPT	Low	Median	High	Providers
MRI Brain MRI of the brain with and without contrast	70553	$115	$284	$628	5,338
MRI Lumbar Spine MRI of the lumbar spine without contrast	72148	$76	$162	$415	5,288
CT Abdomen & Pelvis CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast	74177	$89	$261	$385	5,463
CT Chest CT scan of the chest with contrast	71260	$64	$148	$265	5,432

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 Missouri

Missouri's healthcare costs run approximately 5% below national averages, benefiting from lower overall cost of living compared to coastal states, though rural areas face unique access challenges. The state's mix of major metropolitan areas and vast rural regions creates significant cost and availability disparities for advanced imaging services.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

Missouri's population concentration in St. Louis and Kansas City creates competitive imaging markets with multiple facility options, while rural counties often have limited or no local MRI capabilities. Patients in rural Missouri frequently travel 50+ miles to reach imaging centers, adding transportation costs but sometimes finding lower facility fees than urban locations. The state's extensive rural geography means some residents face significant access barriers for specialized imaging services.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Hospital-based outpatient imaging departments typically charge higher facility fees due to increased overhead and regulatory requirements compared to independent imaging centers. Major health systems like BJC HealthCare and Mercy Health dominate Missouri's healthcare landscape, often setting regional pricing standards for advanced imaging. Independent imaging centers frequently offer competitive cash-pay rates and more flexible scheduling options than hospital-affiliated facilities.

Insurance Market Competition in Missouri

Missouri's insurance market features moderate competition with Anthem, UHC, and Cigna as dominant carriers, creating reasonably competitive negotiated rates for imaging services. The state's decision to maintain a federally-facilitated marketplace rather than create a state exchange influences plan availability and pricing structures. Regional insurers and smaller carriers provide additional options in some areas, though their networks may be more limited for specialized imaging facilities.

Physician Supply and Demand in Missouri

With over 5,300 active providers offering Knee MRI services, Missouri maintains adequate imaging capacity in urban areas but faces radiologist shortages in rural regions. This supply distribution creates longer wait times and sometimes higher costs in underserved areas where demand exceeds local capacity. The state's medical schools and residency programs help maintain physician supply, though rural recruitment remains challenging for specialized services.

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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 Missouri

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

Uninsured patients in Missouri typically pay between $69 and $461 for a Knee MRI, with a median cost of $183 based on negotiated insurance rates. Many facilities offer self-pay discounts of 20-40% for cash payments, potentially reducing these amounts significantly. Independent imaging centers often provide more competitive self-pay rates than hospital-based facilities, so comparing options can lead to substantial savings.

Does Missouri Medicaid cover Knee MRI visits?

Missouri Medicaid covers medically necessary Knee MRI studies when ordered by an enrolled provider, though the state's decision not to expand Medicaid limits eligibility to very specific populations. Covered individuals include low-income parents, pregnant women, children, and disabled adults, leaving many working-age adults without Medicaid coverage options. Patients must use imaging facilities that accept Medicaid rates, which may limit provider choices in some areas.

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

Compare pricing between independent imaging centers and hospital-based facilities, as independents often offer lower rates for the same service quality. Ask about self-pay discounts, payment plans, and cash-pay rates when calling facilities directly. Community health centers and federally qualified health centers sometimes provide imaging services at reduced rates for uninsured or underinsured patients.

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 $69 to $461 with a median of $183, but consultation fees vary separately from imaging charges. Initial consultations typically cost more than follow-up visits due to the comprehensive evaluation required for new patients. Many facilities bundle consultation and imaging fees, so ask for itemized pricing to understand total costs upfront.

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

Yes, medically necessary Knee MRI studies qualify as eligible medical expenses for both Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts. You can use HSA or FSA funds to pay for the imaging study, consultation fees, and related medical expenses without tax penalties. Keep all receipts and documentation, as you may need to provide evidence that the imaging was medically necessary rather than elective.

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

While the actual MRI scan requires in-person imaging, telemedicine consultations can reduce overall costs by allowing remote review of results and follow-up discussions. Many Missouri radiologists and orthopedic specialists offer telehealth consultations for initial evaluations or post-imaging discussions, typically at lower rates than office visits. Missouri's telehealth coverage expanded during the pandemic, with many insurers continuing to cover virtual consultations for appropriate medical scenarios.

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Average Visit Cost