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Mississippi

Cost of a Lower Back MRI Visit
in Mississippi

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

Mississippi's healthcare landscape features significant rural access challenges, with many residents traveling long distances for specialized imaging services like Lower Back MRI procedures. Patients typically pay between $57.53 and $447.07 for lumbar spine MRI, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $133.79 based on negotiated insurance rates. The state maintains over 1,300 active Lower Back MRI providers across hospitals and imaging centers, giving patients multiple options to browse all providers in Mississippi.

Average

$213

Median

$134

Lowest

$58

Highest

$447

Providers

1,303

National avg: $383Mississippi: $213

44% below national average

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Compare Similar Procedures

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

ProcedureCPTLowMedianHighProviders
MRI Brain

MRI of the brain with and without contrast

70553$89$228$8111,312
MRI Knee

MRI of the knee without contrast

73721$52$142$4651,307
CT Abdomen & Pelvis

CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast

74177$71$204$4601,327
CT Chest

CT scan of the chest with contrast

71260$48$124$3071,325

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 Mississippi

Mississippi's healthcare costs run approximately 14% below national averages, reflecting lower regional wages and operating expenses compared to coastal states. The state's predominantly rural geography creates unique access challenges, with many residents traveling 50+ miles to reach advanced imaging facilities.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

Jackson, Gulfport, and Tupelo offer multiple Lower Back MRI options with competitive pricing, while rural counties often have single providers with limited scheduling flexibility. The Mississippi Delta region faces particular challenges with provider shortages, leading some patients to seek care in Memphis or New Orleans. Transportation costs and lost wages from travel can effectively double the total cost of Lower Back MRI procedures for rural residents.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

University of Mississippi Medical Center and other academic hospitals typically charge premium rates for Lower Back MRI scans due to higher overhead and teaching responsibilities. Independent imaging centers like those operated by regional radiology groups often provide the same quality scans at 30-50% lower costs. Many Mississippi hospitals have invested in outpatient imaging centers to capture lower-cost procedures while maintaining revenue.

Insurance Market Competition in Mississippi

BCBS Mississippi maintains dominant market share across most counties, with UHC and Magnolia Health providing limited competition primarily in urban areas. This concentrated market gives insurers significant negotiating power over imaging centers, keeping reimbursement rates relatively low. Rural counties often have single insurer options, reducing competitive pressure on both premiums and provider networks.

Physician Supply and Demand in Mississippi

With over 1,300 active Lower Back MRI providers statewide, Mississippi maintains adequate imaging capacity in urban areas but faces shortages in rural regions. The state's radiologist workforce has grown modestly over the past decade, though many practices rely on teleradiology for after-hours coverage. This adequate supply in metropolitan areas helps keep wait times reasonable and provides patients with multiple cost comparison options.

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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 Mississippi

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

Uninsured patients in Mississippi typically pay between $400-1,200 for a Lower Back MRI, with the median cost around $600-800 at most facilities. Many imaging centers offer cash-pay discounts of 20-40% if you pay upfront, potentially reducing costs to $350-500. Independent radiology centers generally charge less than hospital-based facilities, making them attractive options for self-pay patients seeking affordable Lower Back MRI procedures.

Does Mississippi Medicaid cover Lower Back MRI visits?

Mississippi Medicaid covers medically necessary Lower Back MRI scans when properly authorized by a physician, typically with no cost-sharing for eligible beneficiaries. However, Mississippi has not expanded Medicaid, so coverage is limited to pregnant women, children, elderly, and disabled individuals meeting strict income requirements. Prior authorization is usually required, and the ordering physician must demonstrate that conservative treatments have been attempted before approving expensive imaging studies.

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

Compare prices between hospital-based imaging departments and independent radiology centers, as independents often charge 30-50% less for the same scan quality. Ask about cash-pay discounts, payment plans, and whether your insurance plan has preferred imaging networks with lower copays. Community health centers in Jackson, Meridian, and other cities sometimes offer discounted rates or can refer you to low-cost imaging partners throughout Mississippi.

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

Lower Back MRI procedures have standardized costs regardless of whether it's your first scan or a follow-up study, typically ranging from $57.53 to $447.07 based on your insurance plan and facility choice. However, the radiologist consultation to review results may vary, with initial complex interpretations sometimes commanding higher professional fees than routine follow-up readings. Most insurance plans cover both initial and follow-up MRI scans equally once medical necessity is established.

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

Yes, Lower Back MRI scans are qualified medical expenses that can be paid using HSA or FSA funds, including deductibles, copays, and coinsurance amounts. Both accounts cover the full cost of medically necessary imaging procedures when ordered by a licensed physician for diagnostic purposes. Keep all receipts and documentation, as you may need to provide proof of medical necessity if your HSA/FSA administrator requests additional information about the Lower Back MRI procedure.

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

While the actual MRI scan must be performed in person at an imaging facility, telemedicine consultations for reviewing results or follow-up care typically cost $50-150 less than in-person visits with specialists. Many Mississippi radiologists now offer virtual consultations to discuss Lower Back MRI findings, particularly beneficial for rural patients who would otherwise travel long distances. Some insurance plans cover telehealth visits at the same rate as office visits, making remote consultations an attractive cost-saving option for ongoing spine care management.

Click a state to compare costs

Average Visit Cost

$181
$1,925

Office visit (CPT 72148)

Compare With Other States

RankStateAverage↓
1Alaska
Range: $73 – $2,851
$1,925
2Montana
Range: $73 – $2,851
$1,097
3Washington
Range: $65 – $2,851
$1,095
4Idaho
Range: $65 – $2,851
$1,068
5North Dakota
Range: $145 – $2,450
$987
6Minnesota
Range: $88 – $2,450
$969
7Wisconsin
Range: $73 – $1,477
$577
8Georgia
Range: $69 – $949
$416
9Nevada
Range: $102 – $750
$400
10Hawaii
Range: $85 – $577
$373
11Louisiana
Range: $60 – $702
$372
12Massachusetts
Range: $74 – $590
$344
13Maine
Range: $116 – $659
$344
14New Mexico
Range: $62 – $720
$323
15Wyoming
Range: $65 – $663
$320
16Nebraska
Range: $129 – $477
$310
17Colorado
Range: $65 – $663
$305
18Oregon
Range: $88 – $447
$301
19Utah
Range: $65 – $603
$298
20South Dakota
Range: $142 – $368
$293
21West Virginia
Range: $79 – $418
$289
22New Hampshire
Range: $85 – $579
$288
23North Carolina
Range: $72 – $572
$285
24Iowa
Range: $85 – $513
$284
25Illinois
Range: $76 – $553
$271
26Indiana
Range: $64 – $554
$269
27Vermont
Range: $63 – $583
$267
28Rhode Island
Range: $65 – $527
$261
29District of Columbia
Range: $59 – $527
$259
30Michigan
Range: $67 – $527
$258
31Tennessee
Range: $72 – $499
$253
32Virginia
Range: $49 – $553
$253
33Kentucky
Range: $64 – $516
$249
34Kansas
Range: $71 – $502
$244
35New York
Range: $53 – $529
$243
36Pennsylvania
Range: $55 – $527
$238
37South Carolina
Range: $63 – $465
$229
38Alabama
Range: $59 – $452
$223
39Oklahoma
Range: $61 – $473
$222
40Texas
Range: $65 – $447
$220
41New Jersey
Range: $52 – $459
$218
42Missouri
Range: $76 – $415
$218
43Maryland
Range: $29 – $447
$217
44Ohio
Range: $49 – $457
$214
45California
Range: $72 – $470
$213
46Mississippi
Range: $58 – $447
$213
47Delaware
Range: $66 – $363
$211
48Connecticut
Range: $55 – $456
$206
49Arkansas
Range: $72 – $380
$205
50Florida
Range: $35 – $473
$189
51Arizona
Range: $65 – $356
$181
MRI Lumbar Spine in Other States
AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming