New York

Cost of a Lower Back MRI Visit
in New York

Name: MRI Lumbar Spine Cost in New York (2026)
Creator: Jayant Panwar
Published: 2026-03-18

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

New York's healthcare market operates at costs roughly 22% above the national average, driven by the state's concentrated metro areas and high provider density. Lower Back MRI patients typically pay between $52.89 and $528.99, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $147.70 based on negotiated insurance rates. With over 32,000 active Lower Back MRI providers across New York, patients can browse all available options to find the most affordable care in their area.

Average

$243

Median

$148

Lowest

$53

Highest

$529

Providers

32,161

National avg: $383New York: $243

36% below national average

Compare Similar Procedures

How does mri lumbar spine compare to related procedures in New York?

Procedure	CPT	Low	Median	High	Providers
MRI Brain MRI of the brain with and without contrast	70553	$82	$243	$926	32,184
MRI Knee MRI of the knee without contrast	73721	$48	$154	$582	31,869
CT Abdomen & Pelvis CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast	74177	$65	$235	$782	31,455
CT Chest CT scan of the chest with contrast	71260	$42	$129	$443	32,246

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.

Full data methodology and glossary

Why Lower Back MRI Visit Costs Vary Across New York

New York's healthcare costs run approximately 22% above national averages, reflecting the state's high cost of living, concentrated urban markets, and premium real estate costs that drive up facility overhead. The stark divide between NYC's dense provider networks and upstate rural areas creates significant access and pricing disparities across the state.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

Manhattan and Brooklyn feature numerous high-end imaging centers competing for patients, while rural counties in the North Country and Southern Tier may have only one or two MRI facilities serving large geographic areas. This concentration means NYC patients often have more pricing options and shorter wait times, while rural patients may face higher costs due to limited competition. Travel distances for specialized imaging can exceed 100 miles in remote areas of the Adirondacks and Catskills.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

New York's dominant health systems like NewYork-Presbyterian, Mount Sinai, and NYU Langone operate extensive networks of hospital-based imaging centers that typically charge higher facility fees than independent practices. These academic medical centers often justify premium pricing through advanced technology and subspecialty expertise, though routine lumbar spine MRIs may not require such specialized resources. Independent imaging centers, particularly in suburban Long Island and Westchester County, often provide comparable quality at lower costs.

Insurance Market Competition in New York

Empire BCBS, UHC, Aetna, and Cigna control most of the commercial insurance market, with Empire BCBS holding particularly strong negotiating power due to its large membership base. This concentrated insurer market can limit provider pricing flexibility, though competition among the major players helps moderate rate increases compared to single-insurer dominated states. Smaller regional insurers like MVP Health Care and Excellus BCBS serve upstate markets with different rate structures.

Physician Supply and Demand in New York

With over 32,000 active Lower Back MRI providers, New York has robust imaging capacity concentrated heavily in the NYC metropolitan area and major upstate cities like Albany, Buffalo, and Rochester. This large provider network indicates adequate supply relative to population in urban areas, helping moderate pricing through competition and reducing wait times for routine studies. However, the uneven geographic distribution means rural areas still face capacity constraints that can drive up costs.

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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 New York

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

Uninsured patients in New York typically pay between $52.89 and $528.99 for a Lower Back MRI, with a median cost of $147.70 based on actual negotiated rates. These prices reflect what insurance companies pay providers, though self-pay patients may qualify for cash discounts that reduce these amounts by 20-40%. Hospital-based facilities tend toward the higher end of this range, while independent imaging centers often charge closer to the median rate.

Does New York Medicaid cover Lower Back MRI visits?

Yes, New York Medicaid covers medically necessary Lower Back MRI studies as the state has expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. Coverage requires prior authorization in most cases and a referral from your primary care physician or treating specialist. Patients should verify their specific managed care plan's requirements, as different Medicaid insurers may have varying approval processes and network restrictions.

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

Compare prices between hospital-based imaging centers and independent facilities, as independents often charge 30-50% less for the same study. Ask about self-pay discounts if you're uninsured or have a high-deductible plan, and consider community health centers that may offer sliding scale pricing. Traveling outside Manhattan to facilities in Queens, Brooklyn, or suburban areas can also result in significant savings while maintaining quality.

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

Lower Back MRI typically involves imaging studies rather than consultation visits, with the primary cost being the MRI scan itself ranging from $52.89 to $528.99 in New York. If your referring physician orders additional imaging or requires follow-up scans to monitor treatment progress, the technical fees remain similar though some facilities offer repeat study discounts. The professional fee for radiologist interpretation stays consistent regardless of whether it's an initial or follow-up study.

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

Yes, Lower Back MRI studies qualify as eligible medical expenses for both HSA and FSA accounts when ordered by a physician for diagnostic purposes. You can use your HSA or FSA debit card directly at most New York imaging facilities, or pay out-of-pocket and submit receipts for reimbursement. Keep documentation showing the medical necessity of the study, as this may be required for FSA claims processing or HSA record-keeping.

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

Telemedicine consultations for initial evaluation of back pain symptoms typically cost $50-150, significantly less than in-person specialist visits that can exceed $300 in New York. However, MRI studies still require in-person imaging at accredited facilities, so telehealth primarily reduces consultation costs rather than imaging expenses. Some New York providers offer virtual follow-up visits to review MRI results, which can save both time and money compared to returning to the office.

Click a state to compare costs

Average Visit Cost

$181

$1,925

Office visit (CPT 72148)

Compare With Other States

Rank	State	Average↓	Min⇅	Max⇅	Providers⇅
1	Alaska(AK) Range: $73 – $2,851	$1,925	$73	$2,851	361
2	Montana(MT) Range: $73 – $2,851	$1,097	$73	$2,851	350
3	Washington(WA) Range: $65 – $2,851	$1,095	$65	$2,851	5,422
4	Idaho(ID) Range: $65 – $2,851	$1,068	$65	$2,851	178
5	North Dakota(ND) Range: $145 – $2,450	$987	$145	$2,450	649
6	Minnesota(MN) Range: $88 – $2,450	$969	$88	$2,450	3,198
7	Wisconsin(WI) Range: $73 – $1,477	$577	$73	$1,477	6,596
8	Georgia(GA) Range: $69 – $949	$416	$69	$949	2,964
9	Nevada(NV) Range: $102 – $750	$400	$102	$750	2,567
10	Hawaii(HI) Range: $85 – $577	$373	$85	$577	99
11	Louisiana(LA) Range: $60 – $702	$372	$60	$702	1,176
12	Massachusetts(MA) Range: $74 – $590	$344	$74	$590	1,481
13	Maine(ME) Range: $116 – $659	$344	$116	$659	1,700
14	New Mexico(NM) Range: $62 – $720	$323	$62	$720	1,236
15	Wyoming(WY) Range: $65 – $663	$320	$65	$663	186
16	Nebraska(NE) Range: $129 – $477	$310	$129	$477	2,648
17	Colorado(CO) Range: $65 – $663	$305	$65	$663	1,437
18	Oregon(OR) Range: $88 – $447	$301	$88	$447	740
19	Utah(UT) Range: $65 – $603	$298	$65	$603	353
20	South Dakota(SD) Range: $142 – $368	$293	$142	$368	323
21	West Virginia(WV) Range: $79 – $418	$289	$79	$418	265
22	New Hampshire(NH) Range: $85 – $579	$288	$85	$579	3,684
23	North Carolina(NC) Range: $72 – $572	$285	$72	$572	2,593
24	Iowa(IA) Range: $85 – $513	$284	$85	$513	553
25	Illinois(IL) Range: $76 – $553	$271	$76	$553	6,155
26	Indiana(IN) Range: $64 – $554	$269	$64	$554	334
27	Vermont(VT) Range: $63 – $583	$267	$63	$583	341
28	Rhode Island(RI) Range: $65 – $527	$261	$65	$527	71
29	District of Columbia(DC) Range: $59 – $527	$259	$59	$527	331
30	Michigan(MI) Range: $67 – $527	$258	$67	$527	1,803
31	Tennessee(TN) Range: $72 – $499	$253	$72	$499	2,351
32	Virginia(VA) Range: $49 – $553	$253	$49	$553	3,167
33	Kentucky(KY) Range: $64 – $516	$249	$64	$516	190
34	Kansas(KS) Range: $71 – $502	$244	$71	$502	1,837
35	New York(NY) Range: $53 – $529	$243	$53	$529	32,161
36	Pennsylvania(PA) Range: $55 – $527	$238	$55	$527	1,641
37	South Carolina(SC) Range: $63 – $465	$229	$63	$465	1,091
38	Alabama(AL) Range: $59 – $452	$223	$59	$452	2,384
39	Oklahoma(OK) Range: $61 – $473	$222	$61	$473	2,090
40	Texas(TX) Range: $65 – $447	$220	$65	$447	9,998
41	New Jersey(NJ) Range: $52 – $459	$218	$52	$459	7,247
42	Missouri(MO) Range: $76 – $415	$218	$76	$415	5,288
43	Maryland(MD) Range: $29 – $447	$217	$29	$447	4,003
44	Ohio(OH) Range: $49 – $457	$214	$49	$457	3,589
45	California(CA) Range: $72 – $470	$213	$72	$470	6,585
46	Mississippi(MS) Range: $58 – $447	$213	$58	$447	1,303
47	Delaware(DE) Range: $66 – $363	$211	$66	$363	187
48	Connecticut(CT) Range: $55 – $456	$206	$55	$456	884
49	Arkansas(AR) Range: $72 – $380	$205	$72	$380	133
50	Florida(FL) Range: $35 – $473	$189	$35	$473	4,666
51	Arizona(AZ) Range: $65 – $356	$181	$65	$356	4,375