New York

Cost of a Knee MRI Visit
in New York

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

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

New York's healthcare system serves 19.5 million residents through one of the nation's most complex provider networks, with costs running approximately 22% above national averages. Patients seeking a Knee MRI typically pay between $48 and $582, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $154 based on negotiated insurance rates. With over 31,800 active Knee MRI providers across the state, patients can browse all available providers in New York to find the best match for their needs and budget.

Average

$262

Median

$154

Lowest

$48

Highest

$582

Providers

31,869

National avg: $268New York: $262

3% below national average

Compare Similar Procedures

How does mri knee compare to related procedures in New York?

Procedure	CPT	Low	Median	High	Providers
MRI Brain MRI of the brain with and without contrast	70553	$82	$243	$926	32,184
MRI Lumbar Spine MRI of the lumbar spine without contrast	72148	$53	$148	$529	32,161
CT Abdomen & Pelvis CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast	74177	$65	$235	$782	31,455
CT Chest CT scan of the chest with contrast	71260	$42	$129	$443	32,246

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 New York

New York's healthcare costs run approximately 22% above the national average, driven by the state's high cost of living, dense urban markets, and premium academic medical centers. The concentration of world-renowned hospitals in Manhattan creates a unique pricing dynamic that influences costs statewide.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

The New York City metropolitan area offers abundant imaging options with intense competition, while rural counties in the North Country and Southern Tier may have limited providers requiring longer travel distances. Upstate regions like the Capital District and Rochester provide middle-ground pricing between Manhattan's premium rates and rural areas with fewer options. This geographic disparity creates significant cost variations across the state's 62 counties.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Hospital-based outpatient imaging departments in New York typically charge facility fees that can double the total cost compared to independent imaging centers. Major health systems like NewYork-Presbyterian, Mount Sinai, and NYU Langone command premium pricing due to their academic affiliations and advanced technology. Smaller community hospitals and independent radiology groups often provide more competitive rates while maintaining quality standards.

Insurance Market Competition in New York

Strong competition among Empire BCBS, UHC, Aetna, and Cigna creates varied negotiated rates across different insurance products in New York. The state's robust insurance marketplace offers multiple plan options, though consolidated hospital systems maintain significant negotiating power with insurers. Regional insurers like Excellus in upstate New York often secure more competitive rates with local providers compared to national carriers.

Physician Supply and Demand in New York

With over 31,800 active Knee MRI providers, New York maintains one of the highest radiologist-to-population ratios in the nation, particularly concentrated in the NYC metro area. This abundant supply generally keeps imaging costs competitive in urban areas, though rural regions may experience access challenges. Wait times for non-urgent MRI studies typically range from 1-3 weeks in major metropolitan areas, with shorter waits often available at independent imaging centers.

HSA/FSA eligible

A doctor by your side, always

Prescriptions, lab orders, and referrals — instantly

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 New York

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

Without insurance, knee MRI costs in New York typically range from $48 to $582, with a median cost of $154 based on negotiated insurance rates. Self-pay patients may receive discounts of 20-40% at many independent imaging centers. Hospital-based facilities often charge higher rates, while outpatient imaging centers provide more competitive pricing for cash-paying patients.

Does New York Medicaid cover Knee MRI visits?

Yes, New York Medicaid covers knee MRI studies when medically necessary and properly authorized by a physician. The state's Medicaid expansion provides comprehensive diagnostic imaging coverage for eligible residents. Prior authorization is typically required, and patients may need to try conservative treatments like physical therapy before MRI approval, depending on the clinical scenario.

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

Compare prices between hospital outpatient departments and independent imaging centers, as independent facilities often charge 30-50% less. Ask about self-pay discounts if you're uninsured or have a high-deductible plan. Community health centers and federally qualified health centers throughout New York may offer sliding-scale pricing based on income. Consider locations outside Manhattan if you're seeking the most competitive rates.

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

Knee MRI is a diagnostic imaging procedure rather than a consultation visit, with costs ranging from $48 to $582 regardless of whether it's your first or repeat study. If you need a consultation with an orthopedic specialist or sports medicine physician before or after your MRI, new patient visits typically cost more than follow-up appointments. The imaging cost itself remains consistent based on the specific MRI sequences performed.

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

Yes, knee MRI studies qualify as eligible medical expenses for both Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) when prescribed by a physician. You can use these pre-tax dollars to pay for deductibles, copayments, or the full cost if you're uninsured. Keep all receipts and documentation from your imaging center for tax purposes and account reimbursement.

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

Telemedicine consultations for discussing MRI results or follow-up care typically cost $75-150, significantly less than in-person specialist visits. Many New York orthopedic and sports medicine practices offer telehealth options for reviewing imaging results and planning treatment. However, the actual MRI scan must be performed in-person at an imaging facility, so telemedicine primarily reduces consultation costs rather than imaging expenses.

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