Wisconsin

Cost of a Knee MRI Visit
in Wisconsin

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

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

Wisconsin's healthcare system serves over 5.8 million residents through a network of regional health systems including Aurora Health Care, Marshfield Clinic, and ThedaCare. For Knee MRI services, costs typically vary based on facility type and geographic location, with Wisconsin maintaining competitive pricing approximately 1% above the national average. The state has many active Knee MRI providers across both urban centers like Milwaukee and Madison and rural communities, allowing patients to browse all providers in Wisconsin to find the best value for their specific needs.

Average

$404

Median

$139

Lowest

$73

Highest

$1,001

Providers

5,766

National avg: $268Wisconsin: $404

51% above national average

Compare Similar Procedures

How does mri knee compare to related procedures in Wisconsin?

Procedure	CPT	Low	Median	High	Providers
MRI Brain MRI of the brain with and without contrast	70553	$80	$381	$2,464	4,163
MRI Lumbar Spine MRI of the lumbar spine without contrast	72148	$73	$181	$1,477	6,596
CT Abdomen & Pelvis CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast	74177	$79	$239	$2,090	5,417
CT Chest CT scan of the chest with contrast	71260	$73	$154	$863	4,270

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 Wisconsin

Wisconsin's healthcare costs run approximately 1% above the national average, reflecting the state's balanced mix of urban medical centers and rural facilities. The state's unique geography, stretching from the Twin Cities metro influence in the west to Lake Michigan's eastern shore, creates distinct regional cost patterns across different healthcare markets.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

Wisconsin's population centers in Milwaukee, Madison, and Green Bay offer multiple imaging options with competitive pricing, while rural areas in the north and southwest may have limited choices driving up costs. The 72-county state includes many rural communities where residents often travel 30+ minutes to reach the nearest MRI facility, impacting both access and pricing dynamics.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Hospital-based imaging at systems like Aurora Health Care, Ascension Wisconsin, and Marshfield Clinic typically costs more than independent imaging centers due to higher facility fees and overhead. Wisconsin's numerous community hospitals often charge premium rates compared to freestanding radiology centers, though they may offer more comprehensive services and extended hours.

Insurance Market Competition in Wisconsin

The state's insurance landscape includes major players like BCBS Wisconsin, UnitedHealthcare, and the educator-focused WEA Trust, creating moderate competition that helps control negotiated rates. This competitive environment means different insurers may have significantly different contracted rates with the same imaging facility, making insurance verification critical for cost planning.

Physician Supply and Demand in Wisconsin

Wisconsin maintains a reasonable supply of radiologists and imaging facilities relative to its population, with 5,766 providers offering Knee MRI services across the state. This adequate provider density helps prevent severe supply shortages that drive up costs, though rural areas still experience longer wait times and potentially higher prices due to limited local competition.

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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 Wisconsin

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

Without insurance, Knee MRI costs in Wisconsin range from approximately $73 to $1,001, with a median cost around $139 based on negotiated rate data. 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%. The wide cost variation reflects differences between hospital-based imaging centers and independent facilities throughout the state.

Does Wisconsin Medicaid cover Knee MRI visits?

Yes, Wisconsin's expanded Medicaid program (BadgerCare Plus) covers medically necessary Knee MRI services when ordered by a qualified healthcare provider. Coverage typically requires prior authorization and a documented medical need, such as injury evaluation or diagnostic workup for knee pain. Most BadgerCare Plus members pay minimal or no out-of-pocket costs for approved imaging services.

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

Compare prices between hospital-based imaging centers and independent radiology clinics, as costs can vary significantly across Wisconsin's diverse healthcare market. Ask about self-pay discounts if you're uninsured, and consider community health centers or federally qualified health centers that may offer sliding fee scales. Rural areas may have fewer options, so factor in travel costs when comparing total expenses.

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

Initial Knee MRI consultations typically cost more than follow-up visits, as they involve comprehensive evaluation and interpretation of new imaging studies. Based on the negotiated rates in Wisconsin, you can expect initial services to fall in the higher portion of the $73-$1,001 range, while follow-up reviews or consultations about existing images generally cost less. The specific difference depends on the complexity of your case and the facility type.

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

Yes, Knee MRI visits qualify as eligible medical expenses for both Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs). You can use these pre-tax dollars to pay for the imaging service, associated radiologist fees, and any required copays or deductibles. Keep all receipts and documentation for tax purposes, as the IRS may request proof that the expense was medically necessary.

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

Telemedicine can reduce costs by allowing remote consultation for MRI results review and follow-up discussions, eliminating travel expenses and facility fees for in-person visits. Many Wisconsin radiologists and orthopedists now offer telehealth consultations to discuss imaging findings, particularly beneficial for rural patients who might otherwise drive hours to major medical centers. However, the initial MRI scan itself still requires an in-person visit to an imaging facility.

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