Cost of a Lower Back MRI Visit
in New Hampshire
Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC
New Hampshire's healthcare costs run approximately 11% above the national average, reflecting the state's mix of rural accessibility challenges and concentrated urban markets. Patients seeking a Lower Back MRI typically pay between $84 and $579, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $201 based on negotiated insurance rates across 3,684 active providers statewide. Browse all Lower Back MRI providers in New Hampshire to compare costs and find the right fit for your needs.
Average
$288
Median
$201
Lowest
$85
Highest
$579
Providers
3,684
25% below national average
Compare Similar Procedures
How does mri lumbar spine compare to related procedures in New Hampshire?
| Procedure | CPT | Low | Median | High | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MRI Brain MRI of the brain with and without contrast | 70553 | $129 | $344 | $993 | 3,685 |
| MRI Knee MRI of the knee without contrast | 73721 | $77 | $221 | $590 | 3,687 |
| CT Abdomen & Pelvis CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast | 74177 | $101 | $325 | $740 | 3,693 |
| CT Chest CT scan of the chest with contrast | 71260 | $67 | $183 | $446 | 3,685 |
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 New Hampshire
New Hampshire's healthcare costs run about 11% above national averages, driven by the state's geographic challenges and market concentration. The Granite State's mix of rural communities and urbanized southern corridor creates distinct cost patterns for medical imaging services.
Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability
Southern New Hampshire cities like Manchester and Nashua have higher provider density and more imaging options, creating competitive pricing pressures. Rural areas in the North Country and western regions have fewer providers, often requiring patients to travel longer distances but sometimes finding lower base rates at independent facilities.
Facility Type and Overhead Costs
Hospital-based outpatient imaging centers typically charge 30-50% more than independent radiology practices in New Hampshire. Major health systems like Dartmouth-Hitchcock and Catholic Medical Center operate premium-priced facilities, while standalone imaging centers often offer more competitive rates.
Insurance Market Competition in New Hampshire
The state's insurance market is dominated by Anthem, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, and Cigna, creating moderate competition but limited price pressure. These insurers have negotiated different rates with providers across the state, making plan selection crucial for managing Lower Back MRI costs.
Physician Supply and Demand in New Hampshire
With 3,684 active Lower Back MRI providers serving a population of 1.4 million, New Hampshire has relatively good access to imaging services. This adequate supply helps moderate pricing in competitive markets, though rural areas still face access challenges that can drive up costs through limited 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 New Hampshire
What is the average cost of a Lower Back MRI visit in New Hampshire without insurance?
Does New Hampshire Medicaid cover Lower Back MRI visits?
How do I find an affordable Lower Back MRI near me in New Hampshire?
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 New Hampshire?
How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Lower Back MRI in New Hampshire?
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 |