Cost of a Knee MRI Visit
in New Mexico
Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC
New Mexico's sparse rural geography creates unique challenges for specialized imaging access, with many residents traveling long distances to reach facilities equipped with advanced MRI technology. Patients seeking a Knee MRI in New Mexico typically pay between $57 and $588, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $198 based on negotiated insurance rates. The state maintains over 1,200 active Knee MRI providers across urban centers like Albuquerque and Santa Fe, though rural areas face significant access gaps. Patients can browse all available providers in New Mexico to find the most convenient and affordable option for their needs.
Average
$281
Median
$198
Lowest
$57
Highest
$588
Providers
1,220
5% above national average
Compare Similar Procedures
How does mri knee compare to related procedures in New Mexico?
| Procedure | CPT | Low | Median | High | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MRI Brain MRI of the brain with and without contrast | 70553 | $98 | $315 | $1,063 | 1,235 |
| MRI Lumbar Spine MRI of the lumbar spine without contrast | 72148 | $62 | $188 | $720 | 1,236 |
| CT Abdomen & Pelvis CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast | 74177 | $75 | $230 | $801 | 1,315 |
| CT Chest CT scan of the chest with contrast | 71260 | $52 | $169 | $505 | 1,300 |
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 New Mexico
New Mexico's Knee MRI costs run approximately 10% below national averages due to lower overall healthcare spending and reduced provider density in rural areas. The state's expansive geography and sparse population create unique market dynamics where urban centers like Albuquerque support multiple competing facilities while rural counties may have no local imaging options.
Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability
Albuquerque and Santa Fe concentrate the majority of New Mexico's advanced imaging capabilities, forcing residents in rural counties to travel hours for MRI studies. This geographic disparity creates higher effective costs for rural patients when factoring in transportation and time off work. Some rural hospitals partner with mobile MRI units that visit smaller communities on rotating schedules, though these services often carry premium pricing.
Facility Type and Overhead Costs
Hospital-based outpatient centers in New Mexico typically charge 40-60% more than independent imaging clinics due to higher overhead and facility fees. Major health systems like Presbyterian Healthcare Services and University of New Mexico Hospital operate multiple outpatient imaging centers with standardized pricing. Independent imaging centers often offer more competitive rates and flexible payment options to attract patients from hospital-owned competitors.
Insurance Market Competition in New Mexico
Limited insurer competition with BCBS New Mexico holding significant market share affects negotiated rates across the state's imaging facilities. UHC and Molina provide additional options primarily in urban markets, while rural areas often have even fewer choices. This concentrated market allows insurers to negotiate lower reimbursement rates, which facilities sometimes offset through higher self-pay charges.
Physician Supply and Demand in New Mexico
New Mexico's 1,200 active Knee MRI providers include both radiologists and technologists, though distribution heavily favors urban areas over rural regions. The state faces ongoing challenges recruiting and retaining radiologists, particularly in rural markets where call schedules and isolation create staffing difficulties. Limited specialist availability can extend wait times and maintain higher pricing power for existing providers, especially in underserved rural markets.
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 New Mexico
What is the average cost of a Knee MRI visit in New Mexico without insurance?
Does New Mexico Medicaid cover Knee MRI visits?
How do I find an affordable Knee MRI near me in New Mexico?
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 New Mexico?
How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Knee MRI in New Mexico?
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 |