Arizona

Cost of a Lower Back MRI Visit
in Arizona

Name: MRI Lumbar Spine Cost in Arizona (2026)
Creator: Jayant Panwar
Published: 2026-03-18

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

Arizona's rapidly expanding population and influx of retirees has driven significant growth in specialized imaging facilities across the state's major metropolitan areas. Patients seeking a Lower Back MRI in Arizona typically pay between $64.73 and $355.54, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $123.01, according to insurer negotiated rate data. Arizona maintains 4,375 active Lower Back MRI providers throughout the state, offering patients numerous options from Phoenix's major health systems to Tucson's academic medical centers.

Average

$181

Median

$123

Lowest

$65

Highest

$356

Providers

4,375

National avg: $383Arizona: $181

53% below national average

Compare Similar Procedures

How does mri lumbar spine compare to related procedures in Arizona?

Procedure	CPT	Low	Median	High	Providers
MRI Brain MRI of the brain with and without contrast	70553	$100	$215	$550	4,828
MRI Knee MRI of the knee without contrast	73721	$59	$139	$350	5,301
CT Abdomen & Pelvis CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast	74177	$79	$203	$482	7,431
CT Chest CT scan of the chest with contrast	71260	$54	$115	$267	6,691

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 72148 — MRI lumbar spine 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 72148 covers

Data source: Cost figures are derived from UnitedHealthcare Transparency in Coverage machine-readable files for CPT code 72148 (MRI lumbar spine without contrast), as mandated by the CMS Price Transparency Rule.

What CPT 72148 covers: the provider's professional fee for mri lumbar spine. 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 Lower Back MRI Visit Costs Vary Across Arizona

Arizona's healthcare costs run approximately 5% above the national average, driven by the state's rapid population growth and concentration of specialty services in the Phoenix and Tucson metropolitan areas. The influx of retirees and transplants from higher-cost states has created sustained demand for medical imaging services, supporting premium pricing in desirable markets.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

The Phoenix metropolitan area and Tucson contain the majority of Arizona's advanced imaging facilities, while rural counties like Apache and Greenlee have limited access to MRI services, often requiring patients to travel 100+ miles for imaging studies. This geographic concentration creates cost disparities, with urban facilities able to charge premium rates due to convenience and competition for prime locations.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Hospital-based imaging departments at major systems like Banner Health, Dignity Health, and HonorHealth typically charge 30-50% more than independent imaging centers due to higher facility fees and administrative overhead. Arizona's strong ambulatory surgery center market provides competitive alternatives, with many free-standing imaging centers offering the same quality equipment at significantly reduced costs.

Insurance Market Competition in Arizona

Arizona maintains a competitive insurance marketplace with UnitedHealthCare, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, and Aetna holding significant market share alongside regional players and Medicare Advantage plans. This competition has helped contain rate increases and maintain broad provider networks, though rural areas may have fewer in-network options due to provider scarcity.

Physician Supply and Demand in Arizona

With 4,375 active Lower Back MRI providers serving Arizona's 7.4 million residents, the state maintains adequate radiologist availability in urban areas but faces shortages in rural regions. The strong provider supply in Phoenix and Tucson markets has helped moderate pricing through competition, while rural areas may see higher costs due to limited alternatives and travel requirements.

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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 — Lower Back MRI Costs in Arizona

What is the average cost of a Lower Back MRI visit in Arizona without insurance?

Without insurance, patients in Arizona typically pay between $64.73 and $355.54 for a Lower Back MRI, with a median cost of $123.01 based on negotiated insurance rates. Self-pay patients may receive discounts of 20-50% off these rates, and many facilities offer payment plans to make imaging more affordable. The final cost depends on facility type, geographic location, and whether additional sequences or contrast enhancement are required.

Does Arizona Medicaid cover Lower Back MRI visits?

Yes, Arizona's expanded Medicaid program (AHCCCS) covers medically necessary Lower Back MRI studies when ordered by a physician and approved through prior authorization. Coverage includes both the technical component (facility fee) and professional component (radiologist interpretation), though patients may need to use in-network imaging centers to avoid additional charges. Prior authorization typically requires documentation of conservative treatment attempts and specific clinical indications.

How do I find an affordable Lower Back MRI near me in Arizona?

Compare costs between hospital-based imaging departments and independent imaging centers, as free-standing facilities often offer 30-50% lower rates. Ask about self-pay discounts if you're uninsured or have a high-deductible plan, and consider community health centers or federally qualified health centers which may offer sliding-scale pricing. Shopping around within Arizona's competitive imaging market can save hundreds of dollars on the same study.

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

Lower Back MRI is a diagnostic imaging study rather than a consultation visit, so the cost remains consistent at $64.73 to $355.54 regardless of whether it's your first scan or a follow-up study. However, the radiologist consultation or orthopedic follow-up appointment to review results would be billed separately, with new patient visits typically costing more than established patient appointments.

Can I use an HSA or FSA to pay for a Lower Back MRI visit in Arizona?

Yes, Lower Back MRI studies qualify as eligible medical expenses under both Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) rules when ordered by a physician for diagnostic purposes. You can use these tax-advantaged funds to pay for deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance related to your imaging study. Keep all receipts and documentation for tax purposes, as the IRS may require proof that the expense was medically necessary.

How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Lower Back MRI in Arizona?

While the MRI scan itself must be performed in person at an imaging facility, telemedicine can reduce overall costs by allowing remote consultation with radiologists or specialists to review results. Many Arizona providers offer virtual follow-up appointments to discuss MRI findings, eliminating travel time and facility fees for routine result reviews. Some imaging centers also provide online portals where patients can access their images and preliminary reports before meeting with their referring physician.

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Average Visit Cost