Cost of a Knee MRI Visit
in North Carolina
Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC
North Carolina's healthcare system serves over 10 million residents across diverse urban centers and rural mountain communities, creating significant variation in Knee MRI costs throughout the state. Based on Transparency in Coverage data, patients typically pay between $64.81 and $580.43 for Knee MRI services, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $224.24. With over 2,625 active providers offering Knee MRI services across North Carolina's major metropolitan areas and smaller communities, patients can browse all available options to find quality care at competitive rates.
Average
$290
Median
$224
Lowest
$65
Highest
$580
Providers
2,625
8% above national average
Compare Similar Procedures
How does mri knee compare to related procedures in North Carolina?
| Procedure | CPT | Low | Median | High | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MRI Brain MRI of the brain with and without contrast | 70553 | $99 | $367 | $988 | 2,437 |
| MRI Lumbar Spine MRI of the lumbar spine without contrast | 72148 | $72 | $212 | $572 | 2,593 |
| CT Abdomen & Pelvis CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast | 74177 | $80 | $269 | $648 | 2,798 |
| CT Chest CT scan of the chest with contrast | 71260 | $60 | $196 | $443 | 2,569 |
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 North Carolina
North Carolina's healthcare costs run approximately 2% below national averages, reflecting the state's lower cost of living compared to coastal markets and major metropolitan areas. The state's growing ASC market and competitive insurance landscape help moderate pricing, though rural mountain regions face access challenges that can drive up costs.
Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability
The Charlotte and Research Triangle areas have high concentrations of imaging facilities, creating competitive pricing, while rural western counties may have limited options requiring longer travel distances. Mountain communities often rely on a single hospital system for advanced imaging, reducing price competition. Eastern North Carolina's agricultural regions fall somewhere between these extremes in terms of provider density.
Facility Type and Overhead Costs
Hospital-based outpatient imaging centers typically charge 40-60% more than independent radiology practices due to higher overhead costs and facility fees. Major health systems like Atrium Health and UNC Health dominate urban markets but face growing competition from specialty imaging centers. Standalone MRI facilities and ASCs often provide the most cost-effective options for routine studies.
Insurance Market Competition in North Carolina
BCBS NC holds significant market share but faces strong competition from UHC and Aetena, creating negotiating pressure that benefits consumers through competitive rates. The state's insurance market remains relatively open compared to more concentrated markets in other states. Regional insurers and smaller plans add additional competitive dynamics, particularly in specific metropolitan areas.
Physician Supply and Demand in North Carolina
With over 2,625 providers offering Knee MRI services statewide, North Carolina maintains adequate radiologist supply in most regions, helping keep pricing competitive. The state's medical schools and residency programs produce steady physician supply, though rural areas still face recruitment challenges. Growing population centers like Charlotte and Raleigh continue attracting specialists, while smaller markets rely more heavily on traveling radiologists and teleradiology services.
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 North Carolina
What is the average cost of a Knee MRI visit in North Carolina without insurance?
Does North Carolina Medicaid cover Knee MRI visits?
How do I find an affordable Knee MRI near me in North Carolina?
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 North Carolina?
How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Knee MRI in North Carolina?
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 |