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Nebraska

Cost of a Lower Back MRI Visit
in Nebraska

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

Nebraska's healthcare system serves a largely rural population with concentrated specialist services in Omaha and Lincoln, creating unique pricing dynamics for imaging services. Lower Back MRI patients typically pay between $128 and $476, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $323 across the state's 2,648 active providers. This extensive provider network gives patients multiple options for accessing affordable diagnostic imaging throughout Nebraska.

Average

$310

Median

$324

Lowest

$129

Highest

$477

Providers

2,648

National avg: $383Nebraska: $310

19% below national average

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Just $19.99/mo

Compare Similar Procedures

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

ProcedureCPTLowMedianHighProviders
MRI Brain

MRI of the brain with and without contrast

70553$208$511$7932,641
MRI Knee

MRI of the knee without contrast

73721$123$339$5042,645
CT Abdomen & Pelvis

CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast

74177$116$416$7532,223
CT Chest

CT scan of the chest with contrast

71260$108$214$4152,647

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 Nebraska

Nebraska's healthcare costs run approximately 1% below national averages, reflecting the state's lower cost of living and competitive insurance market dynamics. The concentration of major health systems in Omaha and Lincoln creates pricing pressure that benefits patients throughout the state's extensive rural network.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

Nebraska's vast rural geography means many patients travel to Omaha or Lincoln for advanced imaging, creating cost variations based on facility overhead and patient volume. Rural hospitals often maintain basic MRI capability but may refer complex lumbar spine cases to metropolitan specialists, affecting both access and pricing. The state's Critical Access Hospital network helps maintain rural imaging access but typically at higher per-study costs due to lower patient volumes.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Hospital-based outpatient imaging at facilities like Nebraska Medicine typically costs more than independent centers due to higher overhead and facility fees. Many Nebraska health systems have invested in freestanding imaging centers to offer lower-cost alternatives while maintaining quality standards. Academic medical centers in Omaha and Lincoln may charge premium rates but offer subspecialty expertise for complex lumbar spine conditions.

Insurance Market Competition in Nebraska

The state's insurance market features moderate competition between BCBS Nebraska, UHC, and Aetna, creating relatively stable negotiated rates for diagnostic imaging. BCBS Nebraska's dominant market position influences pricing across most provider networks, while UHC and Aetna compete primarily in urban markets. This competitive balance helps keep Lower Back MRI costs reasonable compared to less competitive state markets.

Physician Supply and Demand in Nebraska

With 2,648 active providers offering Lower Back MRI services, Nebraska maintains adequate imaging capacity relative to its population, preventing supply-driven price increases. The concentration of radiologists in metropolitan areas creates some geographic pricing variation, but teleradiology helps distribute expertise across rural facilities. Strong residency programs at UNMC help maintain physician supply, contributing to stable pricing and reasonable wait times for non-urgent imaging.

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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 Nebraska

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

Without insurance, Lower Back MRI costs in Nebraska range from $128 to $476, with a median price of $323 based on actual negotiated rates from 2,648 providers statewide. Many facilities offer cash-pay discounts that can reduce these costs by 20-40% for uninsured patients. Independent imaging centers typically charge on the lower end of this range, while hospital-based facilities tend toward the higher end due to facility fees and overhead costs.

Does Nebraska Medicaid cover Lower Back MRI visits?

Yes, Nebraska Medicaid covers medically necessary Lower Back MRI studies following the state's Medicaid expansion, though prior authorization is typically required along with documentation of conservative treatment attempts. Coverage includes both the technical component (the actual imaging) and professional component (radiologist interpretation) when performed at Medicaid-certified facilities. Patients should expect minimal out-of-pocket costs, though some managed care plans may require referrals from primary care physicians.

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

Compare prices between independent imaging centers and hospital-based facilities, as independents often charge 30-50% less than hospital outpatient departments. Ask about self-pay discounts, payment plans, and cash-pay rates, which many Nebraska providers offer to uninsured or high-deductible patients. Community health centers in cities like Omaha and Lincoln sometimes offer sliding-scale imaging services, and some facilities provide same-day discounts for immediate payment.

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

Lower Back MRI is a diagnostic imaging procedure rather than a consultation service, so costs are based on the technical imaging study ($128-$476) plus radiologist interpretation fees. If you need a consultation with a spine specialist to discuss MRI results, initial consultations typically cost more than follow-up visits due to the comprehensive nature of new patient evaluations. Many patients receive MRI results through their referring physician rather than requiring separate specialist consultations unless surgery or advanced treatments are being considered.

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

Yes, medically necessary Lower Back MRI studies qualify as eligible medical expenses for both Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA). You can use these tax-advantaged funds to pay for deductibles, copays, and coinsurance associated with diagnostic imaging services. Keep receipts and documentation of medical necessity, as purely screening or elective imaging without symptoms may not qualify for HSA/FSA reimbursement.

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

While the MRI scan itself must be performed in person at an imaging facility, many Nebraska providers offer telehealth consultations to review results and discuss treatment options, typically costing $50-150 less than in-person visits. Telehealth can be particularly valuable for rural Nebraska patients who might otherwise travel long distances for follow-up consultations. Some spine specialists use telemedicine for initial consultations to determine if imaging is necessary, potentially saving patients the cost of unnecessary MRI studies.

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 ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming