Massachusetts

Cost of a Lower Back MRI Visit
in Massachusetts

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

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

Massachusetts ranks among the top five states for healthcare spending per capita, with specialized imaging services like Lower Back MRI reflecting this premium market. Based on negotiated insurance rates from 1,481 active providers statewide, patients typically pay between $74 and $590 for lumbar spine imaging, with a median cost of $368. The Bay State's robust network of academic medical centers and community hospitals means patients have access to numerous Lower Back MRI specialists across urban and rural regions alike.

Average

$344

Median

$368

Lowest

$74

Highest

$590

Providers

1,481

National avg: $383Massachusetts: $344

10% below national average

Compare Similar Procedures

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

Procedure	CPT	Low	Median	High	Providers
MRI Brain MRI of the brain with and without contrast	70553	$90	$552	$1,060	1,770
MRI Knee MRI of the knee without contrast	73721	$70	$327	$590	1,753
CT Abdomen & Pelvis CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast	74177	$80	$299	$896	1,427
CT Chest CT scan of the chest with contrast	71260	$64	$171	$454	1,801

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 Massachusetts

Massachusetts healthcare costs run approximately 20% above the national average, driven by the state's concentration of prestigious academic medical centers and high cost of living in the Greater Boston area. This premium pricing extends to diagnostic imaging, where Lower Back MRI rates reflect both advanced technology investments and higher operational costs.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

Greater Boston hosts numerous high-end imaging facilities affiliated with world-renowned hospitals, while Western Massachusetts and Cape Cod rely more heavily on community hospitals and independent imaging centers. This geographic distribution creates cost disparities, with rural patients sometimes traveling to urban areas for specialized lumbar spine imaging despite higher prices.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Hospital-based outpatient imaging at Mass General Brigham, Beth Israel Lahey, or other major health systems typically costs 50-80% more than independent imaging centers due to higher overhead and facility fees. Academic medical centers justify premium pricing through access to latest MRI technology and subspecialty radiologists, but many routine Lower Back MRI studies can be performed effectively at lower-cost community facilities.

Insurance Market Competition in Massachusetts

The state's insurance market is dominated by BCBS MA, Tufts Health Plan, and Harvard Pilgrim, creating a relatively concentrated marketplace where insurers have significant negotiating power with providers. This concentration can lead to favorable negotiated rates for common services like Lower Back MRI, though premium providers still command higher reimbursements.

Physician Supply and Demand in Massachusetts

With 1,481 active Lower Back MRI providers serving approximately 7 million residents, Massachusetts has above-average radiologist density compared to most states. This robust supply helps moderate pricing in competitive markets like Boston, though wait times for non-urgent imaging can still extend 1-2 weeks during peak demand periods.

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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 Massachusetts

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

Uninsured patients in Massachusetts typically pay between $74 and $590 for Lower Back MRI, with a median cost of $368 based on negotiated insurance rates from 1,481 providers statewide. Many imaging centers offer cash-pay discounts of 20-40% off standard rates, potentially reducing costs for self-pay patients. Independent imaging centers generally charge less than hospital-based facilities for the same study.

Does Massachusetts Medicaid cover Lower Back MRI visits?

Yes, Massachusetts Medicaid covers medically necessary Lower Back MRI when properly authorized by a physician. As a Medicaid expansion state, Massachusetts provides comprehensive coverage for diagnostic imaging through MassHealth, though prior authorization may be required. Patients should confirm their provider accepts MassHealth before scheduling to avoid unexpected costs.

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

Compare prices across different facility types, as independent imaging centers often charge 40-60% less than hospital-based facilities. Look for community health centers or imaging chains that offer transparent pricing and cash-pay discounts. Consider traveling outside Greater Boston to areas like Worcester or Springfield where overhead costs may be lower.

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

Lower Back MRI is typically an imaging study rather than a consultation visit, with costs ranging from $74 to $590 regardless of whether it's your first or follow-up scan. The radiologist's interpretation is included in the imaging fee, though you may have separate costs for the referring physician's consultation before or after the scan.

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

Yes, Lower Back MRI ordered by a physician qualifies as a medical expense eligible for HSA or FSA reimbursement. Keep all receipts and documentation from your imaging appointment, as these accounts require proper medical expense verification. This can help reduce your out-of-pocket costs by using pre-tax dollars.

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

While the actual MRI scan must be performed in person, many Massachusetts providers offer telehealth consultations to review results and discuss treatment options, potentially reducing overall care costs. Telehealth follow-up visits typically cost $50-150 less than in-person appointments and may be more convenient for routine result discussions.

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