Cost of a Lower Back MRI Visit
in Oklahoma
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
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.
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.
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 Oklahoma
What is the average cost of a Lower Back MRI visit in Oklahoma without insurance?
Does Oklahoma Medicaid cover Lower Back MRI visits?
How do I find an affordable Lower Back MRI near me in Oklahoma?
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 Oklahoma?
How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Lower Back MRI in Oklahoma?
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 |