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
19% below national average
Compare Similar Procedures
How does mri lumbar spine compare to related procedures in Nebraska?
| Procedure | CPT | Low | Median | High | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MRI Brain MRI of the brain with and without contrast | 70553 | $208 | $511 | $793 | 2,641 |
| MRI Knee MRI of the knee without contrast | 73721 | $123 | $339 | $504 | 2,645 |
| CT Abdomen & Pelvis CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast | 74177 | $116 | $416 | $753 | 2,223 |
| CT Chest CT scan of the chest with contrast | 71260 | $108 | $214 | $415 | 2,647 |
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.
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 Nebraska
What is the average cost of a Lower Back MRI visit in Nebraska without insurance?
Does Nebraska Medicaid cover Lower Back MRI visits?
How do I find an affordable Lower Back MRI near me in Nebraska?
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 Nebraska?
How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Lower Back MRI in Nebraska?
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 |