Cost of a Lower Back MRI Visit
in Idaho
Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC
Idaho's rural geography creates significant healthcare access challenges, with many residents traveling long distances for specialized care. Lower Back MRI patients typically pay between $64.73 and $2,851.20, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $286.78 across the state's 178 active providers. Idaho maintains a relatively affordable healthcare market compared to neighboring states, offering patients multiple options for Lower Back MRI services throughout Boise, Coeur d'Alene, and other regional centers.
Average
$1,068
Median
$287
Lowest
$65
Highest
$2,851
Providers
178
179% above national average
Compare Similar Procedures
How does mri lumbar spine compare to related procedures in Idaho?
| Procedure | CPT | Low | Median | High | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MRI Brain MRI of the brain with and without contrast | 70553 | $88 | $403 | $793 | 136 |
| MRI Knee MRI of the knee without contrast | 73721 | $59 | $243 | $462 | 140 |
| CT Abdomen & Pelvis CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast | 74177 | $79 | $203 | $1,834 | 202 |
| CT Chest CT scan of the chest with contrast | 71260 | $54 | $171 | $321 | 167 |
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 Idaho
Idaho's Lower Back MRI costs run approximately 3% below national averages, reflecting the state's rural character and lower overall healthcare utilization rates. The concentration of medical facilities in Boise and surrounding areas creates cost variations between urban centers and remote communities throughout the state.
Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability
Idaho's vast rural geography means many patients must travel to Boise, Coeur d'Alene, or Idaho Falls for Lower Back MRI services, with transportation costs adding to overall healthcare expenses. Rural imaging centers often charge premium rates due to lower patient volumes and higher equipment maintenance costs across dispersed locations.
Facility Type and Overhead Costs
Hospital-based outpatient imaging departments in Idaho typically charge 30-50% more than independent radiology centers due to higher overhead and facility fees. Major health systems like Saint Alphonsus and Kootenai Health operate multiple imaging locations but may have less competitive pricing than standalone facilities.
Insurance Market Competition in Idaho
Regence BlueCross and PacificSource control a significant portion of Idaho's insurance market, creating moderate competition that has helped negotiate reasonable rates for Lower Back MRI services. Limited insurer options in rural counties can reduce competitive pressure on pricing, though state regulations help maintain cost controls.
Physician Supply and Demand in Idaho
Idaho's 178 active Lower Back MRI providers create adequate coverage for the state's population, though geographic distribution favors urban areas over rural communities. This supply-demand balance helps maintain competitive pricing in metropolitan areas while potentially increasing costs for patients in remote regions.
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 Idaho
What is the average cost of a Lower Back MRI visit in Idaho without insurance?
Does Idaho Medicaid cover Lower Back MRI visits?
How do I find an affordable Lower Back MRI near me in Idaho?
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 Idaho?
How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Lower Back MRI in Idaho?
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 |