Cost of a Lower Back MRI Visit
in South Dakota
Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC
South Dakota's frontier healthcare system spans vast rural distances, with concentrated provider networks in Sioux Falls and Rapid City serving patients across the state. Lower Back MRI patients typically pay between $142 and $368, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $368, depending on facility type and insurance coverage. The state maintains 323 active Lower Back MRI providers across its urban centers and rural communities, offering patients multiple options for imaging services within reasonable travel distances.
Average
$293
Median
$368
Lowest
$142
Highest
$368
Providers
323
23% below national average
Compare Similar Procedures
How does mri lumbar spine compare to related procedures in South Dakota?
| Procedure | CPT | Low | Median | High | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MRI Brain MRI of the brain with and without contrast | 70553 | $247 | $552 | $552 | 321 |
| MRI Knee MRI of the knee without contrast | 73721 | $130 | $327 | $327 | 320 |
| CT Abdomen & Pelvis CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast | 74177 | $79 | $268 | $2,156 | 88 |
| CT Chest CT scan of the chest with contrast | 71260 | $134 | $171 | $222 | 321 |
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 South Dakota
South Dakota's Lower Back MRI costs run approximately 3% above national averages, reflecting the state's rural geography and concentrated provider networks in major metropolitan areas. The sparse population density across 77,000 square miles creates unique cost pressures as imaging centers must serve large geographic territories with limited patient volumes.
Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability
Sioux Falls and Rapid City concentrate most of South Dakota's advanced imaging capabilities, while rural counties often require patients to travel 50+ miles for Lower Back MRI services. This geographic dispersion creates cost variations, with urban facilities typically charging premium rates while some rural imaging centers offer competitive pricing to attract patients from wide service areas. Limited competition in smaller markets can result in higher prices despite lower overhead costs.
Facility Type and Overhead Costs
Hospital-based imaging departments at Sanford Health and Avera Health systems typically charge higher facility fees compared to independent radiology clinics throughout South Dakota. These health system-owned facilities often include administrative overhead and teaching costs in their pricing structure, while independent imaging centers focus on high-volume, lower-margin services. Some rural hospitals operate imaging equipment part-time, spreading fixed costs across fewer procedures and potentially increasing per-study charges.
Insurance Market Competition in South Dakota
Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield dominates South Dakota's insurance market alongside regional players Sanford Health Plan and UnitedHealthcare, creating moderate competition that influences negotiated imaging rates. Rural counties often have limited insurer choices, reducing competitive pressure on provider pricing and potentially leading to higher negotiated rates for Lower Back MRI services. The concentration of major insurers allows for standardized contracting but may limit price competition compared to more diverse insurance markets.
Physician Supply and Demand in South Dakota
With 323 active Lower Back MRI providers serving a population of 900,000, South Dakota maintains adequate imaging capacity in urban areas while some rural regions experience periodic shortages. This provider distribution creates longer wait times in remote areas, though most patients can access services within reasonable driving distances. The steady supply of radiologists helps maintain competitive pricing in metropolitan markets, while rural facilities may command premium rates due to limited local alternatives.
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 South Dakota
What is the average cost of a Lower Back MRI visit in South Dakota without insurance?
Does South Dakota Medicaid cover Lower Back MRI visits?
How do I find an affordable Lower Back MRI near me in South Dakota?
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 South Dakota?
How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Lower Back MRI in South Dakota?
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 |