Cost of a Lower Back MRI Visit
in Nevada
Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC
Nevada's healthcare market runs approximately 8% above national averages, driven by the state's concentrated population centers and growing ambulatory surgical center market in Las Vegas. Lower Back MRI patients typically pay between $102 and $750, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $350 based on transparency in coverage data from 2,567 active providers. Nevada maintains a robust network of Lower Back MRI specialists across both urban and rural regions, allowing patients to browse all providers statewide for cost comparison.
Average
$400
Median
$350
Lowest
$102
Highest
$750
Providers
2,567
5% above national average
Compare Similar Procedures
How does mri lumbar spine compare to related procedures in Nevada?
| Procedure | CPT | Low | Median | High | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MRI Brain MRI of the brain with and without contrast | 70553 | $135 | $500 | $1,458 | 2,580 |
| MRI Knee MRI of the knee without contrast | 73721 | $80 | $350 | $642 | 2,603 |
| CT Abdomen & Pelvis CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast | 74177 | $85 | $282 | $504 | 2,604 |
| CT Chest CT scan of the chest with contrast | 71260 | $80 | $283 | $453 | 2,690 |
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 Nevada
Nevada's healthcare costs run approximately 8% above national averages, influenced by the state's unique geography that concentrates most specialists in the Las Vegas and Reno metropolitan areas. The Silver State's rapid population growth has outpaced healthcare infrastructure development in some regions, creating cost pressures.
Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability
Nevada's 2,567 Lower Back MRI providers are heavily concentrated in Clark and Washoe counties, leaving rural areas like Elko and Nye counties with limited imaging options. Patients in rural Nevada often travel 100+ miles for specialized imaging, sometimes making Las Vegas or Reno facilities more cost-effective despite higher base rates. The urban-rural divide creates significant access disparities that directly impact both cost and wait times.
Facility Type and Overhead Costs
Hospital-based outpatient imaging in Nevada typically costs 30-50% more than freestanding imaging centers due to higher overhead and facility fees. Major health systems like Renown Health in northern Nevada and Sunrise Hospital system in Las Vegas operate multiple imaging facilities with varying cost structures. Independent imaging centers have gained market share by offering competitive cash-pay rates and shorter wait times.
Insurance Market Competition in Nevada
Nevada's insurance market is moderately competitive with UnitedHealthCare, Anthem, and Aetna holding significant market share alongside regional players. The state's ACA marketplace offers multiple options in urban areas but limited choices in rural counties, affecting negotiated rate competition. Anthem's strong Nevada presence often results in broader provider networks but not necessarily lower costs for imaging services.
Physician Supply and Demand in Nevada
With 2,567 active Lower Back MRI providers serving Nevada's growing population, the state maintains adequate imaging capacity in urban areas but faces shortages in rural regions. The concentration of providers in Las Vegas and Reno creates competitive pricing in these markets while rural areas may have limited options and higher costs. Wait times for non-urgent MRI studies average 1-2 weeks in urban areas but can extend to 4-6 weeks in rural counties.
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 Nevada
What is the average cost of a Lower Back MRI visit in Nevada without insurance?
Does Nevada Medicaid cover Lower Back MRI visits?
How do I find an affordable Lower Back MRI near me in Nevada?
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 Nevada?
How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Lower Back MRI in Nevada?
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 |