Oklahoma

Cost of a Lower Back MRI Visit
in Oklahoma

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

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

Oklahoma's healthcare costs run approximately 8% below the national average, reflecting the state's lower cost of living and competitive medical market. Patients seeking a Lower Back MRI typically pay between $60.92 and $473.17, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $132.63 based on negotiated insurance rates. With over 2,090 active Lower Back MRI providers across the state, Oklahoma patients have substantial options for finding quality care at competitive rates.

Average

$222

Median

$133

Lowest

$61

Highest

$473

Providers

2,090

National avg: $383Oklahoma: $222

42% below national average

Compare Similar Procedures

How does mri lumbar spine compare to related procedures in Oklahoma?

Procedure	CPT	Low	Median	High	Providers
MRI Brain MRI of the brain with and without contrast	70553	$85	$229	$817	2,094
MRI Knee MRI of the knee without contrast	73721	$55	$139	$464	2,142
CT Abdomen & Pelvis CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast	74177	$77	$184	$469	2,193
CT Chest CT scan of the chest with contrast	71260	$51	$113	$298	2,180

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 Oklahoma

Oklahoma's healthcare costs run about 8% below national averages, driven by lower overhead costs and less market consolidation than coastal states. The state's mix of urban medical centers in Oklahoma City and Tulsa alongside rural critical access hospitals creates diverse pricing structures across different regions.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

Oklahoma's 77 counties range from densely populated metro areas around Oklahoma City and Tulsa to sparsely populated rural counties in the Panhandle and southeastern regions. Rural patients may need to travel significant distances for specialized Lower Back MRI services, while urban areas offer multiple competing providers that help keep costs competitive.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Hospital-based outpatient imaging centers in Oklahoma typically charge higher facility fees than independent radiology clinics, reflecting higher overhead costs and more comprehensive services. Major health systems like Integris Health and Saint Francis Health System operate multiple locations, while independent imaging centers often offer more competitive cash-pay rates.

Insurance Market Competition in Oklahoma

Oklahoma's insurance market features moderate competition with BCBS Oklahoma holding significant market share alongside national players like UnitedHealthcare and regional insurer CommunityCare. This competitive landscape has resulted in negotiated rates that are generally favorable compared to more consolidated markets, though rural areas may have fewer network options.

Physician Supply and Demand in Oklahoma

With over 2,090 active Lower Back MRI providers, Oklahoma maintains adequate specialist availability relative to its population of 4 million residents. This healthy supply-to-demand ratio helps maintain competitive pricing and reasonable wait times, though distribution favors urban areas over rural counties where specialist access remains more limited.

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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 Oklahoma

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

Uninsured patients in Oklahoma typically pay between $60.92 and $473.17 for a Lower Back MRI, with a median cost of $132.63 based on negotiated insurance rates. Many providers offer cash-pay discounts that can reduce these costs by 30-50%, making the actual out-of-pocket expense more affordable. Payment plans and sliding scale pricing are commonly available at Oklahoma imaging centers.

Does Oklahoma Medicaid cover Lower Back MRI visits?

Oklahoma Medicaid covers medically necessary Lower Back MRI services for eligible recipients, though the state has not expanded Medicaid coverage. Eligibility is limited to specific categories like pregnant women, children, parents with very low incomes, and individuals with disabilities. Prior authorization is typically required, and coverage depends on medical necessity as determined by Medicaid guidelines.

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

Compare prices across different facility types, as independent imaging centers often cost less than hospital-based services in Oklahoma. Ask about cash-pay discounts if you're uninsured, and consider community health centers or federally qualified health centers that may offer sliding scale pricing. Rural providers sometimes offer lower rates than urban facilities, though you'll need to factor in travel costs.

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

Lower Back MRI involves diagnostic imaging rather than traditional consultation visits, so the primary cost is the imaging procedure itself, ranging from $60.92 to $473.17 in Oklahoma. If you need to see a radiologist for results interpretation or a referring physician for follow-up care, those would be separate consultation charges typically ranging from $150-300 for new patients and $100-200 for established patients.

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

Yes, Lower Back MRI services are qualified medical expenses that can be paid for using Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) funds. This includes the imaging procedure, radiologist interpretation fees, and any related consultation costs. Keep all receipts and documentation, as you may need to provide proof that the imaging was medically necessary if questioned by your account administrator.

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

While the Lower Back MRI imaging itself must be performed in person at a radiology facility, telemedicine can reduce costs for initial consultations and results discussions with your referring physician. Oklahoma has expanded telehealth coverage since 2020, with many insurers now covering virtual follow-up appointments at lower copays than in-person visits. This can save you both money and travel time, especially if you're in a rural area.

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