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North Carolina

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

National avg: $268North Carolina: $290

8% above national average

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Just $19.99/mo

Compare Similar Procedures

How does mri knee compare to related procedures in North Carolina?

ProcedureCPTLowMedianHighProviders
MRI Brain

MRI of the brain with and without contrast

70553$99$367$9882,437
MRI Lumbar Spine

MRI of the lumbar spine without contrast

72148$72$212$5722,593
CT Abdomen & Pelvis

CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast

74177$80$269$6482,798
CT Chest

CT scan of the chest with contrast

71260$60$196$4432,569

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.

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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 North Carolina

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

Uninsured patients in North Carolina typically pay between $64.81 and $580.43 for Knee MRI services, with a median cost of $224.24. These prices reflect negotiated rates from Transparency in Coverage data and represent what insurers actually pay providers. Many facilities offer cash-pay discounts that can reduce these amounts by 20-40% for self-pay patients. Independent imaging centers often charge less than hospital-based facilities for the same service.

Does North Carolina Medicaid cover Knee MRI visits?

North Carolina has not expanded Medicaid, so coverage is limited to specific qualifying categories like pregnant women, children, and disabled individuals. For those who do qualify, NC Medicaid covers medically necessary Knee MRI studies when properly authorized by a physician. Prior authorization is typically required, and the study must be deemed medically appropriate based on clinical guidelines. Patients should verify their eligibility and obtain proper referrals before scheduling.

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

Compare prices between hospital outpatient departments, independent imaging centers, and ASCs, as costs can vary by hundreds of dollars for identical services. Many North Carolina facilities offer significant self-pay discounts for uninsured patients or payment plans to spread costs over time. Community health centers in larger cities may provide sliding-scale pricing based on income. Consider traveling to smaller cities where overhead costs and competition may create lower prices.

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

The $64.81 to $580.43 range reflects the actual MRI procedure costs, while consultation visits involve separate charges typically ranging from $200-400 for new patients and $150-300 for established patients. Initial consultations generally cost more because they involve comprehensive evaluation and treatment planning. Follow-up visits focus on reviewing results and adjusting treatment plans, requiring less time and documentation.

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

Yes, Knee MRI services qualify as eligible medical expenses for both HSA and FSA accounts when prescribed by a physician for diagnostic purposes. You can use these pre-tax dollars to pay deductibles, copays, or coinsurance related to your MRI study. Keep all receipts and documentation showing the medical necessity of the service. Both the imaging procedure and any related consultation fees typically qualify for HSA/FSA reimbursement.

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

While the MRI scan itself must be performed in-person at an imaging facility, telemedicine can reduce costs for initial consultations and follow-up visits to discuss results. Many North Carolina providers offer virtual consultations at lower rates than office visits, typically $75-150 compared to $200-300 for in-person evaluations. Telehealth follow-ups to review MRI results and discuss treatment options can save both time and money. Some insurers cover telemedicine visits at the same rate as office visits, making this an attractive option for routine care coordination.

Click a state to compare costs

Average Visit Cost

$183
$447

Office visit (CPT 73721)

Compare With Other States

RankStateAverage↓
1Georgia
Range: $64 – $1,036
$447
2Wisconsin
Range: $73 – $1,001
$404
3Maine
Range: $105 – $701
$366
4Nevada
Range: $80 – $642
$357
5Wyoming
Range: $59 – $697
$336
6Massachusetts
Range: $70 – $590
$329
7Hawaii
Range: $75 – $505
$322
8Nebraska
Range: $123 – $504
$322
9Minnesota
Range: $83 – $507
$306
10Colorado
Range: $60 – $642
$299
11Washington
Range: $59 – $505
$297
12New Hampshire
Range: $77 – $590
$296
13Iowa
Range: $80 – $516
$296
14Illinois
Range: $69 – $595
$295
15North Carolina
Range: $65 – $580
$290
16Indiana
Range: $59 – $595
$284
17Vermont
Range: $57 – $617
$281
18New Mexico
Range: $57 – $588
$281
19West Virginia
Range: $71 – $425
$274
20Utah
Range: $59 – $504
$273
21District of Columbia
Range: $53 – $560
$272
22Louisiana
Range: $55 – $429
$270
23Rhode Island
Range: $59 – $537
$267
24Oregon
Range: $75 – $393
$265
25Virginia
Range: $45 – $569
$262
26New York
Range: $48 – $582
$262
27South Dakota
Range: $131 – $327
$262
28Alaska
Range: $59 – $527
$261
29Idaho
Range: $59 – $462
$255
30Michigan
Range: $62 – $506
$252
31Kansas
Range: $65 – $504
$249
32Montana
Range: $59 – $358
$248
33Tennessee
Range: $66 – $479
$247
34North Dakota
Range: $83 – $327
$246
35Kentucky
Range: $59 – $492
$242
36Missouri
Range: $69 – $461
$238
37Alabama
Range: $53 – $479
$232
38Pennsylvania
Range: $55 – $506
$232
39Texas
Range: $59 – $464
$230
40South Carolina
Range: $58 – $468
$230
41Delaware
Range: $63 – $399
$226
42California
Range: $75 – $505
$220
43Mississippi
Range: $52 – $465
$220
44Oklahoma
Range: $55 – $464
$219
45New Jersey
Range: $47 – $466
$219
46Maryland
Range: $26 – $457
$218
47Ohio
Range: $45 – $452
$214
48Connecticut
Range: $55 – $472
$211
49Arkansas
Range: $66 – $327
$192
50Florida
Range: $35 – $479
$191
51Arizona
Range: $59 – $350
$183
MRI Knee in Other States
AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming