Cost of a Lower Back MRI Visit
in Arizona
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
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.
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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions — Lower Back MRI Costs in Arizona
What is the average cost of a Lower Back MRI visit in Arizona without insurance?
Does Arizona Medicaid cover Lower Back MRI visits?
How do I find an affordable Lower Back MRI near me in Arizona?
What is the difference in cost between an initial consultation and a follow-up visit?
Can I use an HSA or FSA to pay for a Lower Back MRI visit in Arizona?
How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Lower Back MRI in Arizona?
Click a state to compare costs
Average Visit Cost
Office visit (CPT 72148)
Compare With Other States
| Rank | State | Average↓ |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska Range: $73 – $2,851 | $1,925 |
| 2 | Montana Range: $73 – $2,851 | $1,097 |
| 3 | Washington Range: $65 – $2,851 | $1,095 |
| 4 | Idaho Range: $65 – $2,851 | $1,068 |
| 5 | North Dakota Range: $145 – $2,450 | $987 |
| 6 | Minnesota Range: $88 – $2,450 | $969 |
| 7 | Wisconsin Range: $73 – $1,477 | $577 |
| 8 | Georgia Range: $69 – $949 | $416 |
| 9 | Nevada Range: $102 – $750 | $400 |
| 10 | Hawaii Range: $85 – $577 | $373 |
| 11 | Louisiana Range: $60 – $702 | $372 |
| 12 | Massachusetts Range: $74 – $590 | $344 |
| 13 | Maine Range: $116 – $659 | $344 |
| 14 | New Mexico Range: $62 – $720 | $323 |
| 15 | Wyoming Range: $65 – $663 | $320 |
| 16 | Nebraska Range: $129 – $477 | $310 |
| 17 | Colorado Range: $65 – $663 | $305 |
| 18 | Oregon Range: $88 – $447 | $301 |
| 19 | Utah Range: $65 – $603 | $298 |
| 20 | South Dakota Range: $142 – $368 | $293 |
| 21 | West Virginia Range: $79 – $418 | $289 |
| 22 | New Hampshire Range: $85 – $579 | $288 |
| 23 | North Carolina Range: $72 – $572 | $285 |
| 24 | Iowa Range: $85 – $513 | $284 |
| 25 | Illinois Range: $76 – $553 | $271 |
| 26 | Indiana Range: $64 – $554 | $269 |
| 27 | Vermont Range: $63 – $583 | $267 |
| 28 | Rhode Island Range: $65 – $527 | $261 |
| 29 | District of Columbia Range: $59 – $527 | $259 |
| 30 | Michigan Range: $67 – $527 | $258 |
| 31 | Tennessee Range: $72 – $499 | $253 |
| 32 | Virginia Range: $49 – $553 | $253 |
| 33 | Kentucky Range: $64 – $516 | $249 |
| 34 | Kansas Range: $71 – $502 | $244 |
| 35 | New York Range: $53 – $529 | $243 |
| 36 | Pennsylvania Range: $55 – $527 | $238 |
| 37 | South Carolina Range: $63 – $465 | $229 |
| 38 | Alabama Range: $59 – $452 | $223 |
| 39 | Oklahoma Range: $61 – $473 | $222 |
| 40 | Texas Range: $65 – $447 | $220 |
| 41 | New Jersey Range: $52 – $459 | $218 |
| 42 | Missouri Range: $76 – $415 | $218 |
| 43 | Maryland Range: $29 – $447 | $217 |
| 44 | Ohio Range: $49 – $457 | $214 |
| 45 | California Range: $72 – $470 | $213 |
| 46 | Mississippi Range: $58 – $447 | $213 |
| 47 | Delaware Range: $66 – $363 | $211 |
| 48 | Connecticut Range: $55 – $456 | $206 |
| 49 | Arkansas Range: $72 – $380 | $205 |
| 50 | Florida Range: $35 – $473 | $189 |
| 51 | Arizona Range: $65 – $356 | $181 |