Cost of a Lower Back MRI Visit
in Ohio
Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC
Ohio's expanded Medicaid program and competitive insurance market with Medical Mutual, Anthem, and UHC help keep Lower Back MRI costs approximately 2% below national averages. Patients typically pay between $49 and $457 for Lower Back MRI services, with a median cost of $136 based on negotiated insurance rates across 3,589 active providers statewide. This robust network of Lower Back MRI specialists spans from Cleveland Clinic and Ohio State University medical centers to independent practices in smaller communities, giving patients throughout Ohio multiple options to browse when seeking care.
Average
$214
Median
$136
Lowest
$49
Highest
$457
Providers
3,589
44% below national average
Compare Similar Procedures
How does mri lumbar spine compare to related procedures in Ohio?
| Procedure | CPT | Low | Median | High | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MRI Brain MRI of the brain with and without contrast | 70553 | $78 | $228 | $813 | 4,538 |
| MRI Knee MRI of the knee without contrast | 73721 | $45 | $147 | $452 | 4,556 |
| CT Abdomen & Pelvis CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast | 74177 | $69 | $184 | $449 | 6,569 |
| CT Chest CT scan of the chest with contrast | 71260 | $41 | $122 | $298 | 4,434 |
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 Ohio
Ohio's Lower Back MRI costs run approximately 2% below national averages, reflecting the state's balanced mix of urban competition and rural accessibility. The presence of major academic medical centers like Cleveland Clinic and Ohio State University creates pricing anchors while smaller independent practices throughout the state provide competitive alternatives.
Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability
Ohio's population concentration in Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati creates robust competition among imaging centers in these metropolitan areas, often driving down costs. However, rural counties in southeastern Ohio and along the West Virginia border have fewer providers, sometimes requiring patients to travel longer distances but potentially finding lower facility fees. The state's relatively compact geography means most residents can access multiple provider options within a reasonable drive.
Facility Type and Overhead Costs
Hospital-owned outpatient imaging centers in Ohio typically charge higher facility fees due to their overhead costs and teaching hospital status, particularly at Cleveland Clinic, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, and Cincinnati Children's. Independent radiology practices and dedicated imaging centers often offer more competitive pricing since they focus specifically on diagnostic services without the broader operational costs of full-service hospitals. Many Ohio patients save significantly by choosing standalone imaging facilities over hospital-based options.
Insurance Market Competition in Ohio
Ohio's competitive insurance market with Medical Mutual of Ohio, Anthem, and UnitedHealthcare as major players creates pressure for favorable negotiated rates with imaging providers. Medical Mutual's strong local presence gives Ohio patients good in-network access, while Anthem and UHC provide additional competitive options in most markets. This multi-payer environment typically results in better pricing than states dominated by a single insurer, though rural areas may have less competition.
Physician Supply and Demand in Ohio
With 3,589 active Lower Back MRI providers across Ohio, the state maintains good radiologist availability relative to its population of 11.8 million residents. This healthy supply-to-demand ratio helps keep pricing competitive and reduces wait times for non-urgent imaging studies, though subspecialty radiologists may be more concentrated in urban areas. The presence of multiple medical schools and residency programs in Ohio helps maintain steady physician supply, supporting accessible pricing across the state.
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 Ohio
What is the average cost of a Lower Back MRI visit in Ohio without insurance?
Does Ohio Medicaid cover Lower Back MRI visits?
How do I find an affordable Lower Back MRI near me in Ohio?
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 Ohio?
How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Lower Back MRI in Ohio?
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 |