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