Cost of a Lower Back MRI Visit
in Minnesota
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
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.
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.
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 Minnesota
What is the average cost of a Lower Back MRI visit in Minnesota without insurance?
Does Minnesota Medicaid cover Lower Back MRI visits?
How do I find an affordable Lower Back MRI near me in Minnesota?
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 Minnesota?
How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Lower Back MRI in Minnesota?
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 |