Cost of a Lower Back MRI Visit
in Florida
Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC
Florida's massive ambulatory surgery center market—the largest in the United States—creates unique pricing dynamics for Lower Back MRI procedures across the state. Patients typically pay between $35 and $473 for these visits, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $60, depending on their insurance coverage and chosen facility. With over 4,600 active Lower Back MRI providers throughout Florida's diverse healthcare landscape, patients have substantial options when selecting care that fits their budget and geographic needs.
Average
$189
Median
$60
Lowest
$35
Highest
$473
Providers
4,666
51% below national average
Compare Similar Procedures
How does mri lumbar spine compare to related procedures in Florida?
| Procedure | CPT | Low | Median | High | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MRI Brain MRI of the brain with and without contrast | 70553 | $35 | $60 | $811 | 4,998 |
| MRI Knee MRI of the knee without contrast | 73721 | $35 | $60 | $479 | 4,991 |
| CT Abdomen & Pelvis CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast | 74177 | $72 | $207 | $603 | 4,246 |
| CT Chest CT scan of the chest with contrast | 71260 | $35 | $60 | $297 | 5,487 |
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 Florida
Florida's healthcare costs run approximately 2% above the national average, reflecting the state's unique position as a retirement destination with high healthcare demand and a massive ambulatory surgery center infrastructure that creates both competition and specialization. The state's sprawling geography and diverse population centers create distinct regional markets that influence Lower Back MRI pricing patterns.
Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability
Florida's metropolitan areas like Miami-Dade, Broward, Tampa Bay, and Orlando feature dense concentrations of imaging centers that drive competitive pricing, while rural counties in North Florida and the Everglades region may have limited options that can increase costs. The state's I-4 corridor between Tampa and Orlando represents a particularly competitive market with numerous provider choices.
Facility Type and Overhead Costs
Hospital-based outpatient imaging departments typically charge higher facility fees than independent imaging centers throughout Florida, though major health systems like AdventHealth, Baptist Health, and HCA Florida maintain extensive networks that may offer competitive rates. Free-standing imaging centers often provide the most cost-effective options for routine Lower Back MRI procedures.
Insurance Market Competition in Florida
The presence of major insurers including UnitedHealthcare, Blue Cross Blue Shield Florida, and Aetna creates a moderately competitive market, though network adequacy varies significantly between urban and rural areas. Regional insurers and Medicare Advantage plans add complexity to the market, with each maintaining different negotiated rates and provider networks.
Physician Supply and Demand in Florida
With over 4,600 active Lower Back MRI providers statewide, Florida demonstrates a relatively robust supply of imaging services that should theoretically moderate pricing through competition. However, the state's rapidly growing and aging population creates consistent demand that can offset supply benefits, particularly in high-growth regions like Southwest Florida and the I-4 corridor.
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 Florida
What is the average cost of a Lower Back MRI visit in Florida without insurance?
Does Florida Medicaid cover Lower Back MRI visits?
How do I find an affordable Lower Back MRI near me in Florida?
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 Florida?
How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Lower Back MRI in Florida?
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 |