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Vermont

Cost of a Knee MRI Visit
in Vermont

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

Vermont's rural geography creates unique challenges for healthcare access, with many residents traveling significant distances for specialized imaging services. Knee MRI costs across the state range from $57 to $617, with a median price of $167 based on negotiated insurance rates. With 342 active Knee MRI providers throughout Vermont, patients have options to compare costs and find affordable care within their insurance networks.

Average

$281

Median

$167

Lowest

$57

Highest

$617

Providers

342

National avg: $268Vermont: $281

5% above national average

Compare Similar Procedures

How does mri knee compare to related procedures in Vermont?

ProcedureCPTLowMedianHighProviders
MRI Brain

MRI of the brain with and without contrast

70553$82$265$983345
MRI Lumbar Spine

MRI of the lumbar spine without contrast

72148$63$156$583341
CT Abdomen & Pelvis

CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast

74177$73$227$848354
CT Chest

CT scan of the chest with contrast

71260$49$143$516346

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 73721MRI 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 Vermont

Vermont's healthcare costs run approximately 15% above national averages, reflecting the state's rural geography and smaller market size. The Green Mountain State's scattered population creates unique cost pressures as imaging facilities must serve large geographic areas with fewer patients to spread overhead costs.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

Burlington and the Chittenden County area concentrate most of Vermont's advanced imaging facilities, while rural regions often have limited options requiring longer travel times. This geographic disparity means rural patients may face higher costs due to limited competition and the expense of maintaining high-tech equipment in smaller markets. Some rural areas rely on mobile MRI units that visit periodically, affecting both availability and pricing.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Hospital-based outpatient imaging centers in Vermont typically charge more than independent radiology clinics due to higher overhead and facility fees. The University of Vermont Medical Center and other major health systems often have premium pricing structures compared to standalone imaging centers. Independent facilities can offer more competitive rates but may have longer wait times for non-urgent studies.

Insurance Market Competition in Vermont

Vermont's small insurance market is dominated by BCBS VT and MVP Health Care, creating limited competition that can affect negotiated rates with providers. This concentration means fewer pricing pressures compared to states with more insurers competing for market share. The state's regulatory environment and Certificate of Need laws also influence how many imaging facilities can operate in each region.

Physician Supply and Demand in Vermont

With 342 active Knee MRI providers statewide, Vermont maintains reasonable access to imaging services relative to its population of about 650,000 residents. This provider-to-population ratio helps moderate costs and wait times compared to states with physician shortages. However, the concentration of specialists in urban areas means rural patients may still face longer travel times and potentially higher costs for accessing care.

JP

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 Vermont

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

Without insurance, Knee MRI costs in Vermont range from $57 to $617, with a median price of $167 based on negotiated rates. Self-pay patients should expect to pay somewhere in this range, though many facilities offer cash discounts that can reduce these amounts by 20-40%. Always ask about self-pay pricing and payment plans when scheduling your appointment.

Does Vermont Medicaid cover Knee MRI visits?

Yes, Vermont Medicaid covers Knee MRI services when medically necessary, thanks to the state's Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act. Coverage typically requires a referral from your primary care physician and may need prior authorization depending on the clinical situation. Most Medicaid patients pay little to nothing out-of-pocket for covered imaging services.

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

Compare prices among Vermont's 342 Knee MRI providers by calling facilities directly or using price transparency tools. Independent imaging centers often cost less than hospital-based facilities, and many offer significant cash-pay discounts. Community health centers and federally qualified health centers may also provide more affordable options for uninsured or underinsured patients.

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

Knee MRI imaging costs remain consistent at $57-$617 regardless of whether it's ordered during an initial consultation or follow-up visit. However, the physician consultation fees will vary, with new patient visits typically costing more than established patient follow-ups. The radiologist's interpretation fee is usually included in the total MRI cost regardless of when it's ordered.

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

Yes, Knee MRI services qualify as eligible medical expenses for both Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA). You can use these pre-tax dollars to pay for the imaging study, radiologist interpretation, and any related consultation fees. Keep all receipts and documentation for tax purposes and FSA/HSA reimbursement claims.

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

While the actual MRI scan must be performed in person, telemedicine can reduce costs for initial consultations and follow-up visits to discuss results. Many Vermont providers offer telehealth consultations at lower rates than in-person visits, potentially saving patients travel time and money. Some radiologists also provide remote second opinions on MRI results through telemedicine platforms.

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