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
44% below national average
Compare Similar Procedures
How does mri lumbar spine compare to related procedures in Mississippi?
| Procedure | CPT | Low | Median | High | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MRI Brain MRI of the brain with and without contrast | 70553 | $89 | $228 | $811 | 1,312 |
| MRI Knee MRI of the knee without contrast | 73721 | $52 | $142 | $465 | 1,307 |
| CT Abdomen & Pelvis CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast | 74177 | $71 | $204 | $460 | 1,327 |
| CT Chest CT scan of the chest with contrast | 71260 | $48 | $124 | $307 | 1,325 |
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.
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 Mississippi
What is the average cost of a Lower Back MRI visit in Mississippi without insurance?
Does Mississippi Medicaid cover Lower Back MRI visits?
How do I find an affordable Lower Back MRI near me in Mississippi?
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 Mississippi?
How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Lower Back MRI in Mississippi?
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 |