North Dakota

Cost of a Lower Back MRI Visit
in North Dakota

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

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

North Dakota's sparse population of 780,000 spread across rural communities creates unique healthcare access patterns, with Lower Back MRI services concentrated in larger medical centers. Patients typically pay between $144.72 and $2,449.72 for Lower Back MRI procedures, with a median cost of $368.00 based on negotiated insurance rates. North Dakota has 649 active Lower Back MRI providers across the state, allowing patients to browse all providers in North Dakota for comparison shopping.

Average

$987

Median

$368

Lowest

$145

Highest

$2,450

Providers

649

National avg: $383North Dakota: $987

158% above national average

Compare Similar Procedures

How does mri lumbar spine compare to related procedures in North Dakota?

Procedure	CPT	Low	Median	High	Providers
MRI Brain MRI of the brain with and without contrast	70553	$221	$552	$3,100	649
MRI Knee MRI of the knee without contrast	73721	$83	$327	$327	646
CT Abdomen & Pelvis CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast	74177	$82	$10,549	$10,549	486
CT Chest CT scan of the chest with contrast	71260	$118	$171	$7,881	653

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 North Dakota

North Dakota's healthcare costs run approximately 4% above national averages, influenced by the state's oil boom economy and rural geography that requires extensive travel for specialized care. The state's small population spread across large distances creates unique cost pressures for maintaining medical equipment and staffing at multiple locations.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

The majority of Lower Back MRI providers cluster in Fargo, Bismarck, and Grand Forks, leaving rural residents with limited local options and potential travel costs. Rural hospitals often maintain older imaging equipment due to lower patient volumes, while urban centers invest in newer technology that may command higher reimbursement rates. Distance to urban centers can add significant indirect costs for patients in western oil counties or eastern agricultural regions.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Hospital-based outpatient imaging in North Dakota typically costs more than independent imaging centers due to higher facility fees and overhead costs. Sanford Health and CHI St. Alexius operate extensive networks with hospital-affiliated imaging centers, while smaller independent practices often offer more competitive pricing. Rural critical access hospitals may charge premium rates due to lower volume and higher per-procedure overhead costs.

Insurance Market Competition in North Dakota

The concentrated insurance market featuring BCBS North Dakota, Sanford Health Plan, and UnitedHealthcare creates limited competitive pressure on negotiated rates. Sanford Health Plan's integration with Sanford Health facilities can create pricing advantages within their network but potentially higher costs for out-of-network care. The limited number of major insurers reduces providers' negotiating leverage, potentially contributing to higher baseline rates.

Physician Supply and Demand in North Dakota

With 649 active Lower Back MRI providers serving a population of 780,000, North Dakota maintains adequate radiologist availability in urban areas but faces shortages in rural regions. The state's physician shortage areas designated by HRSA indicate undersupply in many counties, potentially leading to longer wait times and premium pricing for specialized imaging. Higher provider-to-population ratios in urban centers like Fargo create more competitive pricing than rural markets with limited alternatives.

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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 North Dakota

What is the average cost of a Lower Back MRI visit in North Dakota without insurance?

Without insurance, Lower Back MRI procedures in North Dakota range from $144.72 to $2,449.72, with a median cost of $368.00 based on actual negotiated rates. Self-pay patients can often secure discounts of 20-40% below standard rates by paying upfront or negotiating cash prices. Many facilities offer payment plans to help manage these costs, particularly important given North Dakota's rural population may need to travel for services.

Does North Dakota Medicaid cover Lower Back MRI visits?

Yes, North Dakota expanded Medicaid covers Lower Back MRI procedures when medically necessary and ordered by a physician. Coverage requires appropriate clinical indications such as persistent pain, suspected disc problems, or neurological symptoms. Prior authorization may be required depending on the specific clinical situation and imaging facility, so patients should verify coverage before scheduling.

How do I find an affordable Lower Back MRI near me in North Dakota?

Compare costs between hospital-based imaging centers and independent radiology practices, as independent facilities often charge less. Ask about self-pay discounts, which can reduce costs by hundreds of dollars, and consider community health centers that may offer sliding fee scales. Urban centers in Fargo, Bismarck, and Grand Forks typically have more competitive pricing than rural facilities due to higher competition.

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

Lower Back MRI procedures have consistent imaging costs regardless of whether it's initial or follow-up imaging, with the median cost remaining around $368.00. However, the associated consultation fees may vary, with new patient visits typically costing more than established patient follow-ups. The imaging procedure itself represents the majority of the total cost for either scenario.

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

Yes, Lower Back MRI procedures qualify as eligible medical expenses for both HSA and FSA accounts when ordered by a physician for diagnostic purposes. You can use these pre-tax dollars to pay for deductibles, copays, and coinsurance related to your imaging study. Keep receipts and documentation of medical necessity for tax purposes, as the IRS may require proof that expenses were for qualified medical care.

How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Lower Back MRI in North Dakota?

While the actual MRI imaging must be performed in person, telemedicine consultations can reduce overall costs by eliminating travel to distant specialists for initial evaluations or follow-up discussions of results. Many North Dakota providers offer telehealth consultations at lower rates than in-person visits, particularly valuable for rural patients who might otherwise drive hours to urban medical centers. Telehealth can also provide access to subspecialty radiologists who might not be locally available.

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