Minnesota

Cost of a Lower Back MRI Visit
in Minnesota

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

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

Minnesota's healthcare market operates roughly 2% above national averages, with expanded Medicaid coverage helping to moderate specialist costs across the state. Patients seeking a Lower Back MRI typically pay between $87.90 and $2,449.72, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $368 based on negotiated insurance rates. With over 3,198 active Lower Back MRI providers throughout Minnesota, patients have substantial options for finding affordable care in both urban centers and rural communities.

Average

$969

Median

$368

Lowest

$88

Highest

$2,450

Providers

3,198

National avg: $383Minnesota: $969

153% above national average

Compare Similar Procedures

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

Procedure	CPT	Low	Median	High	Providers
MRI Brain MRI of the brain with and without contrast	70553	$88	$552	$3,100	3,070
Pelvic Ultrasound Cost of pelvic ultrasound (transvaginal and pelvic complete) across the US, with state-by-state pricing for both office-based and hospital outpatient settings.	76830	$48	$48	$186	2,017
MRI Knee MRI of the knee without contrast	73721	$83	$327	$507	3,234
CT Abdomen & Pelvis CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast	74177	$88	$101	$10,549	2,200
CT Chest CT scan of the chest with contrast	71260	$80	$171	$7,881	3,188

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 Minnesota

Minnesota operates approximately 2% above national healthcare costs, with the Twin Cities metro area driving higher prices while rural regions often struggle with provider access. The state's expanding ambulatory surgery center market provides cost alternatives to traditional hospital-based imaging.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

The Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area concentrates most of Minnesota's Lower Back MRI specialists, creating competitive pricing and shorter wait times for urban patients. Rural counties in northern and western Minnesota often require patients to travel significant distances for specialized imaging, with some areas served by mobile MRI units or requiring referrals to regional centers. This geographic disparity can add travel costs but may offer lower base procedure prices in rural markets.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Minnesota's major health systems like Mayo Clinic, Allina Health, and M Health Fairview operate extensive hospital-based imaging departments with higher overhead costs reflected in pricing. Independent imaging centers and ambulatory surgery centers throughout the state typically offer 30-50% lower rates for the same Lower Back MRI procedures. Facility fees at hospital outpatient departments can add hundreds of dollars compared to freestanding imaging centers.

Insurance Market Competition in Minnesota

Strong competition between BCBS MN, UHC, and HealthPartners has helped moderate rate increases, though negotiated rates vary significantly between insurers. The state's insurance marketplace offers multiple options in most counties, creating competitive pressure on both insurers and providers. Regional insurers and health plans maintain different negotiated rates, making provider choice crucial for cost-conscious patients.

Physician Supply and Demand in Minnesota

With over 3,198 active Lower Back MRI providers, Minnesota maintains adequate specialist availability in urban areas while rural regions face ongoing access challenges. This supply concentration in metropolitan areas creates competitive pricing for routine procedures but may increase costs for urgent or complex cases. Wait times for routine Lower Back MRI appointments typically remain reasonable, though specific subspecialists may have longer scheduling delays.

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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 Minnesota

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

Uninsured patients in Minnesota typically pay between $87.90 and $2,449.72 for Lower Back MRI procedures, with a median cost of $368 based on negotiated insurance rates. However, many facilities offer cash-pay discounts of 20-60% off these standard rates for self-pay patients. Independent imaging centers generally charge less than hospital-based departments, making provider selection crucial for cost-conscious patients.

Does Minnesota Medicaid cover Lower Back MRI visits?

Yes, Minnesota's expanded Medicaid program covers medically necessary Lower Back MRI procedures for eligible adults up to 138% of federal poverty level. Coverage typically requires prior authorization and a referral from your primary care physician to verify medical necessity. Most Medicaid recipients pay minimal copays for approved imaging services, though some procedures may require documentation of failed conservative treatments first.

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

Compare costs between hospital-based imaging departments and independent imaging centers, as freestanding facilities often charge 30-50% less for identical procedures. Ask about cash-pay discounts if you're uninsured or have a high-deductible plan, and consider traveling to rural areas where overhead costs may be lower. Community health centers and federally qualified health centers throughout Minnesota may offer sliding-scale fees based on income.

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

Initial Lower Back MRI consultations typically cost more than follow-up visits due to comprehensive evaluation requirements and longer appointment times. The imaging procedure itself represents the majority of costs, ranging from $87.90 to $2,449.72 in Minnesota regardless of whether it's ordered during an initial or follow-up visit. Follow-up visits for result interpretation or treatment planning generally involve lower professional fees but similar imaging costs.

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

Yes, Lower Back MRI procedures qualify as eligible medical expenses for both Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA). You can use these pre-tax dollars for the imaging procedure, professional interpretation fees, and related consultation costs. Keep all receipts and documentation, as you may need to provide proof of medical necessity for reimbursement from your HSA or FSA administrator.

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

Telemedicine can reduce costs for initial consultations and follow-up appointments related to Lower Back MRI results, with virtual visits typically costing 20-40% less than in-person consultations. However, the actual imaging procedure requires an in-person visit to an imaging facility. Minnesota's telemedicine coverage expanded significantly during the pandemic, with most insurers now covering virtual consultations at similar rates to in-person visits for appropriate clinical scenarios.

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