Oregon

Cost of a Lower Back MRI Visit
in Oregon

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

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

Oregon's expanded Medicaid coverage and competitive insurance market with major players like Regence BCBS and PacificSource create a unique cost landscape for Lower Back MRI visits. Patients typically pay between $88 and $447, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $368 based on negotiated rates from 740 active providers across the state. Oregon residents can browse all Lower Back MRI providers to find affordable options in their area.

Average

$301

Median

$368

Lowest

$88

Highest

$447

Providers

740

National avg: $383Oregon: $301

21% below national average

Compare Similar Procedures

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

Procedure	CPT	Low	Median	High	Providers
MRI Brain MRI of the brain with and without contrast	70553	$103	$552	$623	662
MRI Knee MRI of the knee without contrast	73721	$75	$327	$393	711
CT Abdomen & Pelvis CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast	74177	$79	$227	$1,834	457
CT Chest CT scan of the chest with contrast	71260	$70	$171	$291	758

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 Oregon

Oregon's healthcare costs run approximately 9% above the national average, driven by the state's mix of urban concentration in the Portland metro area and vast rural territories with limited provider access. The Pacific Northwest's higher cost of living and competitive provider market contribute to imaging service pricing across the state.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

Portland's metro area concentrates most of Oregon's imaging facilities, creating competitive pricing and shorter wait times, while eastern Oregon's rural counties often require patients to travel significant distances for MRI services. This geographic disparity means rural residents may face higher travel costs but potentially lower procedure fees at community hospitals. The Cascade Range effectively divides Oregon into distinct healthcare markets with different cost structures.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Hospital-based imaging centers, particularly those affiliated with Oregon Health & Science University and Legacy Health, typically charge higher facility fees due to overhead costs and comprehensive service capabilities. Independent imaging centers and outpatient facilities often offer more competitive cash prices and faster scheduling. The state's growing ambulatory surgery center market provides additional lower-cost options for routine imaging.

Insurance Market Competition in Oregon

Oregon's insurance market features moderate competition with Regence BCBS, PacificSource, and UHC holding significant market shares, creating varied negotiated rate structures for imaging services. The state's insurance exchange offers multiple plan options, though rural areas may have fewer choices affecting provider network size. This competitive landscape generally benefits patients through diverse pricing options, though negotiated rates can vary significantly between insurers.

Physician Supply and Demand in Oregon

With 740 active Lower Back MRI providers statewide, Oregon maintains adequate radiologist coverage in urban areas but faces shortages in rural regions, particularly east of the Cascades. This supply distribution affects both pricing and access, with metropolitan areas offering more competitive rates due to provider density. Rural provider shortages can lead to longer wait times but may also result in higher reimbursement rates that benefit patients with comprehensive insurance coverage.

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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 Oregon

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

Without insurance, Lower Back MRI costs in Oregon range from $88 to $447, with a median cost of $368 based on negotiated rates from 740 providers statewide. Cash-pay patients may receive discounts of 20-40% at many facilities, potentially reducing these costs. The final amount depends on facility type, location, and whether additional imaging sequences are required for your specific condition.

Does Oregon Medicaid cover Lower Back MRI visits?

Yes, Oregon's expanded Medicaid program covers medically necessary Lower Back MRI imaging when ordered by a healthcare provider. Prior authorization may be required for non-urgent studies, and the imaging must be performed at a Medicaid-participating facility. Coverage includes both the professional interpretation fee and facility charges, with no copayment required for eligible members.

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

Compare costs across different facility types, as independent imaging centers often charge less than hospital-based facilities in Oregon. Ask about self-pay discounts if paying out-of-pocket, and consider community health centers that may offer sliding-scale pricing. Rural facilities sometimes have lower overhead costs, though you'll need to factor in travel expenses.

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

Lower Back MRI involves imaging procedures rather than consultation visits, so the cost structure differs from typical office visits. The $88-$447 range represents the complete imaging study including professional interpretation. If your doctor orders additional sequences or contrast enhancement during the same session, costs may increase beyond the standard range.

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

Yes, Lower Back MRI imaging qualifies as an eligible medical expense for both HSA and FSA accounts in Oregon. You can use these pre-tax dollars to pay for deductibles, copayments, or the full cost if paying cash. Keep all receipts and documentation, as you may need to provide proof that the imaging was medically necessary rather than for general screening purposes.

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

Telemedicine can reduce overall costs by enabling remote consultation for results review and follow-up care, eliminating travel expenses especially for rural Oregon residents. However, the actual MRI imaging must still be performed in person at an imaging facility. Some providers offer telehealth consultations before imaging to determine medical necessity, potentially saving unnecessary procedure costs.

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