Georgia

Cost of a Lower Back MRI Visit
in Georgia

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

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

Georgia's healthcare market operates at costs roughly 1% below national averages, making Lower Back MRI care more accessible across the state's diverse urban and rural communities. Patients seeking Lower Back MRI services typically encounter costs ranging from $68 to $949, with a median negotiated rate of $231 based on insurance agreements. With nearly 3,000 active Lower Back MRI providers throughout Georgia, patients have substantial options when browsing all available specialists in the state.

Average

$416

Median

$231

Lowest

$69

Highest

$949

Providers

2,964

National avg: $383Georgia: $416

9% above national average

Compare Similar Procedures

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

Procedure	CPT	Low	Median	High	Providers
MRI Brain MRI of the brain with and without contrast	70553	$101	$390	$1,468	3,018
MRI Knee MRI of the knee without contrast	73721	$64	$240	$1,036	3,069
CT Abdomen & Pelvis CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast	74177	$85	$301	$809	3,330
CT Chest CT scan of the chest with contrast	71260	$61	$196	$699	3,315

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 Georgia

Georgia's healthcare costs run approximately 1% below national averages, reflecting the state's mix of competitive urban markets and more affordable rural provider networks. The concentration of major health systems in metro Atlanta creates different pricing dynamics than those found in smaller Georgia communities.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

Metro Atlanta's dense concentration of imaging centers and hospital systems creates competitive pricing pressure, while rural counties across central and southern Georgia may have limited Lower Back MRI options. This geographic disparity can require some patients to travel significant distances for specialized imaging services. Rural providers often charge different rates than their urban counterparts due to lower overhead costs but higher per-patient operational expenses.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Hospital-owned outpatient imaging centers in Georgia typically carry higher overhead costs than independent radiology practices, often reflected in their pricing structures. Major health systems like Emory Healthcare, Piedmont Healthcare, and Augusta University Health influence market rates across their service areas. Free-standing imaging centers frequently offer more competitive cash-pay rates due to lower facility costs.

Insurance Market Competition in Georgia

Georgia's insurance market features robust competition between Anthem, UnitedHealthcare, and Cigna, creating varied negotiated rate structures across different provider networks. The state's decision not to expand Medicaid has concentrated more patients in commercial insurance plans, affecting how providers price their services. Regional market competition varies significantly, with metro Atlanta showing more insurer options than rural Georgia counties.

Physician Supply and Demand in Georgia

With nearly 3,000 active Lower Back MRI providers across Georgia, the state maintains relatively good access to imaging services compared to national averages. This substantial provider network helps moderate pricing through competition, though distribution remains uneven between urban and rural areas. Wait times for non-urgent Lower Back MRI studies typically remain reasonable due to adequate provider capacity in most markets.

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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 Georgia

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

Self-pay patients in Georgia typically face Lower Back MRI costs ranging from $68 to $949, with a median rate of $231 based on negotiated insurance rates. However, many providers offer cash-pay discounts that can reduce these costs by 20-40% for uninsured patients. It's worth calling multiple imaging centers to compare their self-pay pricing, as independent facilities often charge less than hospital-based centers.

Does Georgia Medicaid cover Lower Back MRI visits?

Traditional Georgia Medicaid covers medically necessary Lower Back MRI imaging when ordered by a physician, though prior authorization may be required. Since Georgia has not expanded Medicaid, coverage eligibility remains limited to specific populations like pregnant women, children, and disabled individuals. Patients should verify their Medicaid coverage status and obtain any required referrals before scheduling imaging services.

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

Start by comparing costs across different facility types, as independent imaging centers often charge less than hospital-based facilities. Ask about cash-pay discounts if you're uninsured, and inquire about payment plans if you need to spread costs over time. Community health centers throughout Georgia may also offer sliding-scale pricing based on income. Using cost comparison tools can help you identify the most affordable options in your specific area.

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

Lower Back MRI imaging costs remain consistent regardless of whether it's your first visit or a follow-up study, with prices ranging from $68 to $949 in Georgia. The median cost of $231 applies to both initial and repeat imaging studies. However, the radiologist consultation fee for interpreting results may vary slightly between providers, and some facilities offer package deals for patients requiring multiple studies over time.

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

Yes, Lower Back MRI imaging qualifies as an eligible medical expense for both Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA). You can use these pre-tax dollars to pay for the imaging study, radiologist interpretation fees, and any related medical consultations. Keep your receipts and documentation showing the medical necessity of the imaging for your FSA or HSA records.

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

While the actual Lower Back MRI imaging must be performed in person at an imaging facility, telemedicine can reduce costs for initial consultations and follow-up visits to discuss results. Many Georgia providers offer telehealth consultations at lower rates than in-person visits, typically ranging from $50-150. Some radiologists also provide remote consultations to review imaging results, which can be more cost-effective than traditional office visits.

Click a state to compare costs

Average Visit Cost

$181

$1,925

Office visit (CPT 72148)

Compare With Other States

Rank	State	Average↓	Min⇅	Max⇅	Providers⇅
1	Alaska(AK) Range: $73 – $2,851	$1,925	$73	$2,851	361
2	Montana(MT) Range: $73 – $2,851	$1,097	$73	$2,851	350
3	Washington(WA) Range: $65 – $2,851	$1,095	$65	$2,851	5,422
4	Idaho(ID) Range: $65 – $2,851	$1,068	$65	$2,851	178
5	North Dakota(ND) Range: $145 – $2,450	$987	$145	$2,450	649
6	Minnesota(MN) Range: $88 – $2,450	$969	$88	$2,450	3,198
7	Wisconsin(WI) Range: $73 – $1,477	$577	$73	$1,477	6,596
8	Georgia(GA) Range: $69 – $949	$416	$69	$949	2,964
9	Nevada(NV) Range: $102 – $750	$400	$102	$750	2,567
10	Hawaii(HI) Range: $85 – $577	$373	$85	$577	99
11	Louisiana(LA) Range: $60 – $702	$372	$60	$702	1,176
12	Massachusetts(MA) Range: $74 – $590	$344	$74	$590	1,481
13	Maine(ME) Range: $116 – $659	$344	$116	$659	1,700
14	New Mexico(NM) Range: $62 – $720	$323	$62	$720	1,236
15	Wyoming(WY) Range: $65 – $663	$320	$65	$663	186
16	Nebraska(NE) Range: $129 – $477	$310	$129	$477	2,648
17	Colorado(CO) Range: $65 – $663	$305	$65	$663	1,437
18	Oregon(OR) Range: $88 – $447	$301	$88	$447	740
19	Utah(UT) Range: $65 – $603	$298	$65	$603	353
20	South Dakota(SD) Range: $142 – $368	$293	$142	$368	323
21	West Virginia(WV) Range: $79 – $418	$289	$79	$418	265
22	New Hampshire(NH) Range: $85 – $579	$288	$85	$579	3,684
23	North Carolina(NC) Range: $72 – $572	$285	$72	$572	2,593
24	Iowa(IA) Range: $85 – $513	$284	$85	$513	553
25	Illinois(IL) Range: $76 – $553	$271	$76	$553	6,155
26	Indiana(IN) Range: $64 – $554	$269	$64	$554	334
27	Vermont(VT) Range: $63 – $583	$267	$63	$583	341
28	Rhode Island(RI) Range: $65 – $527	$261	$65	$527	71
29	District of Columbia(DC) Range: $59 – $527	$259	$59	$527	331
30	Michigan(MI) Range: $67 – $527	$258	$67	$527	1,803
31	Tennessee(TN) Range: $72 – $499	$253	$72	$499	2,351
32	Virginia(VA) Range: $49 – $553	$253	$49	$553	3,167
33	Kentucky(KY) Range: $64 – $516	$249	$64	$516	190
34	Kansas(KS) Range: $71 – $502	$244	$71	$502	1,837
35	New York(NY) Range: $53 – $529	$243	$53	$529	32,161
36	Pennsylvania(PA) Range: $55 – $527	$238	$55	$527	1,641
37	South Carolina(SC) Range: $63 – $465	$229	$63	$465	1,091
38	Alabama(AL) Range: $59 – $452	$223	$59	$452	2,384
39	Oklahoma(OK) Range: $61 – $473	$222	$61	$473	2,090
40	Texas(TX) Range: $65 – $447	$220	$65	$447	9,998
41	New Jersey(NJ) Range: $52 – $459	$218	$52	$459	7,247
42	Missouri(MO) Range: $76 – $415	$218	$76	$415	5,288
43	Maryland(MD) Range: $29 – $447	$217	$29	$447	4,003
44	Ohio(OH) Range: $49 – $457	$214	$49	$457	3,589
45	California(CA) Range: $72 – $470	$213	$72	$470	6,585
46	Mississippi(MS) Range: $58 – $447	$213	$58	$447	1,303
47	Delaware(DE) Range: $66 – $363	$211	$66	$363	187
48	Connecticut(CT) Range: $55 – $456	$206	$55	$456	884
49	Arkansas(AR) Range: $72 – $380	$205	$72	$380	133
50	Florida(FL) Range: $35 – $473	$189	$35	$473	4,666
51	Arizona(AZ) Range: $65 – $356	$181	$65	$356	4,375