Cost of a Lower Back MRI Visit
in District of Columbia
Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC
The District of Columbia's concentrated healthcare market, dominated by major academic medical centers and government-affiliated facilities, creates unique pricing dynamics for specialized imaging services. Lower Back MRI patients in DC typically encounter negotiated rates ranging from $58.77 to $526.87, with a median cost of $191.07 based on transparency data from 331 active providers across the district. Browse all Lower Back MRI providers in District of Columbia to compare costs and find in-network options that fit your budget.
Average
$259
Median
$191
Lowest
$59
Highest
$527
Providers
331
32% below national average
Compare Similar Procedures
How does mri lumbar spine compare to related procedures in District of Columbia?
| Procedure | CPT | Low | Median | High | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MRI Brain MRI of the brain with and without contrast | 70553 | $90 | $310 | $879 | 333 |
| MRI Knee MRI of the knee without contrast | 73721 | $53 | $201 | $560 | 333 |
| CT Abdomen & Pelvis CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast | 74177 | $72 | $266 | $827 | 350 |
| CT Chest CT scan of the chest with contrast | 71260 | $49 | $165 | $454 | 338 |
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 District of Columbia
District of Columbia's healthcare costs run approximately 20% above national averages, reflecting the area's high cost of living and concentrated market of premium providers. The district's unique federal jurisdiction and dense population create distinct pricing pressures not found in traditional states.
Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability
As a fully urban jurisdiction, District of Columbia lacks the rural-urban cost disparities seen in other states, instead featuring concentrated provider networks within a compact geographic area. This density creates competitive pricing in some sectors while premium positioning dominates others, particularly near federal and academic institutions.
Facility Type and Overhead Costs
Hospital-based outpatient imaging at major systems like MedStar Washington Hospital Center or Children's National typically carries higher facility fees than independent imaging centers. The district's high real estate costs and regulatory environment contribute to elevated operational expenses across all facility types.
Insurance Market Competition in District of Columbia
The market concentration among CareFirst BCBS, UnitedHealthcare, and Aetna creates established negotiated rate patterns with limited price competition. Federal employee health benefits add another layer of standardized pricing that influences the broader commercial market dynamics.
Physician Supply and Demand in District of Columbia
With 331 active Lower Back MRI providers serving the district's compact population, provider density is high relative to geographic area but reflects the concentration of major medical centers. This supply supports reasonable access times but premium pricing persists due to the affluent patient population and proximity to federal institutions.
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 District of Columbia
What is the average cost of a Lower Back MRI visit in District of Columbia without insurance?
Does District of Columbia Medicaid cover Lower Back MRI visits?
How do I find an affordable Lower Back MRI near me in District of Columbia?
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 District of Columbia?
How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Lower Back MRI in District of Columbia?
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 |