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By Jayant Panwar, Healthcare Data AnalystUpdated April 5, 2026Editorial policy
Disclaimer: This page provides cost comparison data sourced from insurer Transparency in Coverage files. It is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical decisions.Learn about our data methodology.
Menlo Park, California

Cost of a Lower Back MRI Visit
in Menlo Park

Menlo Park's healthcare market shows concentrated provider networks with limited Lower Back MRI specialists serving this affluent Peninsula community. Patients in Menlo Park pay between $80 and $188 for a Lower Back MRI visit, with a median of $80. The area currently has 0 active providers in our network, including 0 individual practitioners and 0 group practices.

Cost Summary for Lower Back MRI in Menlo Park

Low Estimate

$80

Median

$80

High Estimate

$188

Providers

33

National avg: $383Menlo Park: $80

79% below national average

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 72148MRI 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.

Lower Back MRI Visit Costs by City in California2026

Lower Back MRI visit costs across cities in California
CityMin CostMedian CostMax Cost
Tustin$80$368$699
Roseville$80$368$1,976
Thousand Oaks$102$368$565
Hayward$80$354$368
Travis Afb$65$249$599
South Lake Tahoe$149$225$669
La Jolla$79$216$543
West Hollywood$80$206$712
San Ramon$62$197$381
Santa Monica$63$177$652
Beverly Hills$56$177$501
Duarte$80$173$1,243
Loma Linda$74$168$461
San Leandro$75$156$442
Morgan Hill$77$155$340
Los Angeles$54$154$501
San Francisco$71$148$447
San Diego$73$148$553
Sacramento$65$144$527
Santa Rosa$78$133$387
Santa Clara$80$129$356
Anaheim$65$128$408
Torrance$66$125$374
Santa Barbara$51$124$409
Merced$65$123$798
Fremont$80$120$368
Pleasanton$80$120$368
Los Alamitos$80$120$406
Los Altos$67$113$447
San Jose$80$111$340
Madera$80$111$160
Fresno$65$111$1,223
Mountain View$80$111$368
Stockton$70$111$888
Milpitas$111$111$340
Clovis$65$111$188
Riverside$69$103$525
Bakersfield$10$96$431
San Mateo$80$96$570
Mission Viejo$54$96$431
Newport Beach$67$89$435
Oakland$71$85$502
Walnut Creek$80$85$474
Berkeley$54$85$149
Livermore$51$85$302
Stanford$80$80$356
Palo Alto$80$80$299
Irvine$68$80$373
Redwood City$65$80$221
Menlo Park (this city)$80$80$188
Costa Mesa$80$80$80
Sunnyvale$80$80$340
Modesto$73$80$340
Alameda$80$80$120
Laguna Hills$35$80$347
Fountain Valley$60$80$181
Fullerton$64$80$385
Burlingame$80$80$1,052
Emeryville$80$80$80
Castro Valley$45$80$108

Costs reflect self-pay estimates based on insurer-negotiated rates. Insured patients may pay significantly less depending on plan type, deductible status, and network tier.

Compare Similar Procedures

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

ProcedureCPTLowMedianHighProviders
MRI Brain

MRI of the brain with and without contrast

70553$55$85$6549,774
MRI Knee

MRI of the knee without contrast

73721$75$80$50510,126
CT Abdomen & Pelvis

CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast

74177$70$85$67215,496
CT Chest

CT scan of the chest with contrast

71260$25$85$52110,242
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 — Lower Back MRI Costs in Menlo Park

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

Uninsured patients in Menlo Park can expect to pay between $80 and $188 for a Lower Back MRI visit, with a median cost of $80. These rates represent negotiated insurance prices, and cash-pay rates may vary. Self-pay patients should contact providers directly to discuss potential discounts or payment plans.

How much more does a new patient consultation cost compared to a follow-up in Menlo Park?

While specific new patient pricing data is not available for Menlo Park, established patient follow-up visits cost between $80 and $188. New patient consultations typically cost 20-40% more than follow-up visits due to additional time and complexity. Patients should expect higher costs for initial Lower Back MRI consultations.

Are there lower-cost Lower Back MRI options in cities near Menlo Park?

Menlo Park offers the most competitive Lower Back MRI pricing in the region at $80 median cost. Nearby alternatives include Campbell at $340 median and Hayward at $354 median, both significantly more expensive. Patients seeking the best value should prioritize Menlo Park providers when available.

How do I find a highly rated, affordable Lower Back MRI in Menlo Park?

With 0 currently active providers in our Menlo Park network, patients should expand their search to nearby Peninsula cities. When selecting a Lower Back MRI specialist, consider both cost transparency and patient ratings. Our platform filters providers based on affordability within the $80-$188 range and verified patient reviews.

What should I expect to pay for a Lower Back MRI visit in Menlo Park with insurance?

Insurance patients in Menlo Park face costs between $80 and $188 for Lower Back MRI visits, depending on their specific plan and deductible status. Your out-of-pocket cost will depend on your copay structure, remaining deductible, and whether you've met your annual out-of-pocket maximum. Contact your insurer to verify coverage details before scheduling.

How many Lower Back MRIs are currently practicing in Menlo Park?

Currently, 0 Lower Back MRI specialists are active in our Menlo Park network, including 0 individual practitioners and 0 group practices. This reflects the specialized nature of MRI services and the concentration of imaging centers in larger medical facilities. Patients may need to visit nearby Peninsula cities for Lower Back MRI services.

Find an Affordable Lower Back MRI in Menlo Park — Powered by AI

Get personalized Lower Back MRI cost estimates for your specific insurance plan and location in Menlo Park. Our AI-powered tool provides real-time pricing data and helps you find affordable, highly rated specialists in your area.

MRI Lumbar Spine in Other California Cities
View all California mri lumbar spine costs
JP

Jayant Panwar

CEO & Healthcare Data Analyst, Momentary Labs

Last updated: April 5, 2026

About This Data

Cost data sourced from Transparency in Coverage (TiC) machine-readable files published by UnitedHealthcare as required by the CMS Price Transparency Rule. These are actual negotiated rates between insurers and providers — not estimates.

Prices shown are for MRI lumbar spine without contrast (CPT 72148) in Menlo Park, California.

Actual out-of-pocket costs depend on your insurance plan, deductible, coinsurance, and services received. This is not medical advice.

About this page

Data source: UnitedHealthcare Transparency in Coverage machine-readable files, CPT 72148, Menlo Park, California providers. Rates represent in-network negotiated amounts and may vary by plan type.

Editorial policy: Momentary Labs does not accept payment from providers, hospitals, or insurers to influence cost rankings or editorial content. Read our full editorial policy.

Corrections: If you believe any cost figure or clinical information on this page is inaccurate, please report it here. We review all submissions within 5 business days.