Cost of a Lower Back MRI Visit
in North Carolina
Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC
North Carolina's healthcare market operates approximately 2% below national pricing averages, with over 2,593 active Lower Back MRI providers serving patients across the state's diverse urban and rural landscape. Lower Back MRI patients typically pay between $71 and $572, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $211 based on negotiated insurance rates. The state's growing ambulatory surgery center market and competitive insurer environment, led by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, UnitedHealth, and Aetna, create varied pricing opportunities for patients seeking specialized care across North Carolina's many active provider networks.
Average
$285
Median
$212
Lowest
$72
Highest
$572
Providers
2,593
25% below national average
Compare Similar Procedures
How does mri lumbar spine compare to related procedures in North Carolina?
| Procedure | CPT | Low | Median | High | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MRI Brain MRI of the brain with and without contrast | 70553 | $99 | $367 | $988 | 2,437 |
| MRI Knee MRI of the knee without contrast | 73721 | $65 | $224 | $580 | 2,625 |
| CT Abdomen & Pelvis CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast | 74177 | $80 | $269 | $648 | 2,798 |
| CT Chest CT scan of the chest with contrast | 71260 | $60 | $196 | $443 | 2,569 |
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 North Carolina
North Carolina's healthcare costs run approximately 2% below national averages, reflecting the state's balanced mix of competitive urban markets and lower-overhead rural practices. The state's growing ambulatory surgery center market provides patients with more cost-effective alternatives to traditional hospital-based imaging services.
Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability
The Research Triangle and Charlotte metropolitan areas concentrate most Lower Back MRI specialists, while rural counties in eastern and western North Carolina often require patients to travel significant distances for specialized imaging. This geographic disparity creates cost variations, with urban areas offering more competitive pricing due to provider density, while rural regions may charge premium rates due to limited competition. Transportation costs and time off work compound the total expense for rural patients seeking specialized care.
Facility Type and Overhead Costs
Hospital-owned outpatient imaging centers typically charge higher facility fees compared to independent radiology practices throughout North Carolina. Major health systems like Atrium Health, Duke Health, and UNC Health control substantial market share, particularly in urban areas, which can influence pricing structures. Independent imaging centers often provide more competitive self-pay rates and faster scheduling for Lower Back MRI procedures.
Insurance Market Competition in North Carolina
Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina maintains significant market dominance, followed by UnitedHealth and Aetna, creating a moderately competitive environment for negotiated provider rates. The state's insurance market concentration means that provider networks and reimbursement rates can vary substantially between plans. This competitive dynamic benefits patients through varied pricing options, though rural areas may have fewer participating providers across all networks.
Physician Supply and Demand in North Carolina
With 2,593 active Lower Back MRI providers serving the state's 10.7 million residents, North Carolina maintains adequate specialist availability in urban areas but faces shortages in rural counties. This supply distribution affects both pricing and accessibility, with well-served metropolitan areas offering competitive rates and convenient scheduling, while underserved rural regions may experience longer wait times and higher costs. The state's growing population continues to drive demand for imaging services across all regions.
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 North Carolina
What is the average cost of a Lower Back MRI visit in North Carolina without insurance?
Does North Carolina Medicaid cover Lower Back MRI visits?
How do I find an affordable Lower Back MRI near me in North Carolina?
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 North Carolina?
How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Lower Back MRI in North Carolina?
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 |