Pennsylvania

Cost of a Knee MRI Visit
in Pennsylvania

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

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

Pennsylvania's healthcare system spans from world-renowned medical centers in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh to rural facilities serving the state's mountainous regions, creating significant variation in medical imaging costs. Knee MRI procedures typically range from $55 to $506 based on negotiated insurance rates, with a median cost of $134 across Pennsylvania's 1,965 active providers. The state's concentration of academic medical centers and competition between major health systems like UPMC and Penn Medicine helps create options for patients seeking affordable diagnostic imaging throughout Pennsylvania.

Average

$232

Median

$134

Lowest

$55

Highest

$506

Providers

1,965

National avg: $268Pennsylvania: $232

14% below national average

Compare Similar Procedures

How does mri knee compare to related procedures in Pennsylvania?

Procedure	CPT	Low	Median	High	Providers
MRI Brain MRI of the brain with and without contrast	70553	$57	$215	$879	1,970
MRI Lumbar Spine MRI of the lumbar spine without contrast	72148	$55	$132	$527	1,641
CT Abdomen & Pelvis CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast	74177	$76	$215	$753	1,669
CT Chest CT scan of the chest with contrast	71260	$50	$115	$389	2,029

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 Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania's healthcare costs run approximately 9% above the national average, reflecting the state's mix of high-cost urban markets and lower-cost rural regions. The concentration of major academic medical centers in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh creates premium pricing zones, while competition between health systems helps moderate costs in suburban markets.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

Pennsylvania's 67 counties show stark disparities in imaging access, with Philadelphia and Allegheny counties offering dozens of MRI facilities while rural counties may have limited options. Patients in central Pennsylvania's mountainous regions often travel 30-60 minutes for advanced imaging, which can increase overall procedure costs through travel and time off work.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Hospital-based outpatient imaging at facilities like Penn Medicine and UPMC carries higher overhead costs reflected in pricing, while independent imaging centers throughout Pennsylvania typically offer 30-50% lower rates. The state's certificate of need laws historically limited imaging facility expansion, though recent regulatory changes have increased competition in metropolitan areas.

Insurance Market Competition in Pennsylvania

Competition between Highmark, Independence Blue Cross, and United Healthcare creates downward pressure on negotiated rates in most Pennsylvania markets. The southeastern region around Philadelphia benefits from particularly strong insurer competition, while some rural counties have limited carrier options that may result in higher negotiated rates for imaging services.

Physician Supply and Demand in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania's 1,965 active providers offering knee MRI services suggests adequate supply in most markets, though distribution heavily favors urban areas. The state's strong medical education infrastructure, including multiple radiology residency programs, helps maintain specialist availability, though rural shortages persist and may drive longer wait times and higher costs in underserved regions.

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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 Pennsylvania

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

Without insurance, knee MRI costs in Pennsylvania range from $55 to $506 based on negotiated rate data, with a median cost of $134. Self-pay patients may receive discounts of 20-40% at many facilities, particularly independent imaging centers. The wide cost variation reflects differences between hospital-based facilities and standalone imaging centers across Pennsylvania's diverse healthcare markets.

Does Pennsylvania Medicaid cover Knee MRI visits?

Yes, Pennsylvania Medicaid covers medically necessary knee MRIs as the state expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Care, providing comprehensive diagnostic imaging benefits. Prior authorization may be required for non-urgent cases, and patients should verify that their chosen imaging facility accepts Medicaid before scheduling. Coverage includes both the technical component of the MRI scan and professional interpretation by a radiologist.

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

Compare costs between independent imaging centers and hospital-based facilities, as standalone centers often charge 30-50% less for the same procedure. Ask about self-pay discounts if you're uninsured, and consider community health centers or imaging centers affiliated with federally qualified health centers for reduced-cost options. Rural Pennsylvania may have limited choices, but traveling to suburban areas can often result in significant savings.

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

Based on Pennsylvania data, knee MRI procedures have a consistent cost structure of $55 to $506 with a $134 median regardless of whether it's ordered during an initial consultation or follow-up visit. The imaging cost remains the same, though you may have separate charges for the physician consultation that orders the MRI. Follow-up visits to review results typically cost less than initial diagnostic consultations with specialists.

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

Yes, knee MRI procedures qualify as eligible medical expenses for both Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts when medically necessary. You can use HSA or FSA funds to pay deductibles, copays, and coinsurance associated with your imaging procedure. Keep receipts and documentation from your Pennsylvania provider for tax purposes and FSA reimbursement claims.

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

Telemedicine consultations in Pennsylvania typically cost $50-150 less than in-person visits and can be used for initial evaluation and results review, though the MRI procedure itself must be performed in-person. Many Pennsylvania providers offer telehealth follow-up appointments to discuss MRI results, reducing overall care costs. Insurance coverage for telemedicine visits expanded during COVID-19 and many Pennsylvania insurers continue covering virtual consultations at the same rate as office visits.

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