Cost of a Lower Back MRI Visit
in Rhode Island
Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC
Rhode Island's compact geography concentrates most Lower Back MRI providers within the Providence metropolitan area, creating unique cost dynamics for the Ocean State's residents. Patients typically pay between $65 and $527 for a Lower Back MRI, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $191 based on negotiated insurance rates. Rhode Island has 71 active Lower Back MRI providers serving the state's population, and patients can browse all available providers to compare costs and coverage options.
Average
$261
Median
$191
Lowest
$65
Highest
$527
Providers
71
32% below national average
Compare Similar Procedures
How does mri lumbar spine compare to related procedures in Rhode Island?
| Procedure | CPT | Low | Median | High | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MRI Brain MRI of the brain with and without contrast | 70553 | $88 | $321 | $879 | 84 |
| MRI Knee MRI of the knee without contrast | 73721 | $59 | $204 | $537 | 84 |
| CT Abdomen & Pelvis CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast | 74177 | $79 | $283 | $827 | 86 |
| CT Chest CT scan of the chest with contrast | 71260 | $54 | $171 | $454 | 86 |
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 Rhode Island
Rhode Island's Lower Back MRI costs run approximately 13% above the national average, reflecting the state's concentrated healthcare market and higher regional operating expenses. The Ocean State's small geographic footprint creates unique dynamics where most specialty care concentrates in the Providence metropolitan area.
Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability
Most of Rhode Island's Lower Back MRI providers cluster around Providence, Newport, and Warwick, leaving residents in rural areas like Washington County with limited local options. This geographic concentration can force patients to travel longer distances or pay premium rates at the few available rural facilities. The state's small size means even rural residents are typically within 45 minutes of urban imaging centers.
Facility Type and Overhead Costs
Hospital-based imaging departments at major systems like Lifespan and Care New England typically charge higher rates than independent radiology practices due to increased overhead and facility fees. Rhode Island's hospital consolidation has reduced competition in some markets, potentially contributing to higher baseline costs. Outpatient imaging centers often provide the same quality at lower costs than hospital-affiliated facilities.
Insurance Market Competition in Rhode Island
The dominance of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island, UnitedHealthcare, and Tufts Health Plan creates a moderately competitive but concentrated insurance marketplace. This concentration can lead to stronger negotiated rates with major providers but may limit options for consumers. The relatively small number of major insurers means network disruptions can significantly impact patient access and costs.
Physician Supply and Demand in Rhode Island
With 71 active Lower Back MRI providers serving approximately 1.1 million residents, Rhode Island maintains adequate radiologist availability relative to its population size. This supply-demand balance helps prevent the extreme pricing seen in physician shortage areas, though specialization in musculoskeletal imaging remains concentrated among fewer practitioners. Wait times for non-urgent Lower Back MRI appointments typically range from 1-2 weeks across most of 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 Rhode Island
What is the average cost of a Lower Back MRI visit in Rhode Island without insurance?
Does Rhode Island Medicaid cover Lower Back MRI visits?
How do I find an affordable Lower Back MRI near me in Rhode Island?
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 Rhode Island?
How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Lower Back MRI in Rhode Island?
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 |