Tennessee

Cost of a Lower Back MRI Visit
in Tennessee

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

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

Tennessee's healthcare market operates roughly 4% below national averages, with over 2,350 Lower Back MRI providers serving communities from Memphis to Nashville. Patients typically pay between $72 and $499 for Lower Back MRI services, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $188 based on negotiated insurance rates. The state's competitive provider network spans urban medical centers and rural clinics, giving patients across Tennessee multiple options for accessing affordable Lower Back MRI care.

Average

$253

Median

$188

Lowest

$72

Highest

$499

Providers

2,351

National avg: $383Tennessee: $253

34% below national average

Compare Similar Procedures

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

Procedure	CPT	Low	Median	High	Providers
MRI Brain MRI of the brain with and without contrast	70553	$109	$319	$823	2,409
MRI Knee MRI of the knee without contrast	73721	$66	$195	$479	2,446
CT Abdomen & Pelvis CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast	74177	$84	$247	$462	2,737
CT Chest CT scan of the chest with contrast	71260	$61	$169	$333	2,701

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 Tennessee

Tennessee's healthcare costs run approximately 4% below national averages, reflecting the state's moderate cost of living and competitive provider market spanning from Memphis medical districts to rural Appalachian communities. The state's diverse geography creates distinct urban-rural cost patterns that significantly impact Lower Back MRI pricing across different regions.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

Tennessee's metro areas like Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville support high concentrations of imaging facilities and radiologists, fostering price competition that benefits patients. Rural counties in East Tennessee and the western delta region often have limited imaging options, requiring patients to travel to urban centers or pay premium rates at local hospital-based facilities.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Hospital-owned outpatient imaging centers in Tennessee typically charge 30-50% more than independent radiology clinics due to higher overhead and facility fees. Major health systems like Vanderbilt University Medical Center, TriStar Health, and Baptist Memorial dominate urban markets, while smaller independent practices often provide more competitive Lower Back MRI pricing.

Insurance Market Competition in Tennessee

Tennessee's insurance market features moderate competition with BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee holding significant market share alongside UnitedHealthcare and Cigna. This balanced competition has resulted in relatively stable negotiated rates for imaging services, though rural areas may see less competitive pricing due to limited provider networks and geographic constraints.

Physician Supply and Demand in Tennessee

With over 2,350 active Lower Back MRI providers statewide, Tennessee maintains adequate radiologist supply in urban centers while facing shortages in rural regions. This balanced supply-demand dynamic in metro areas helps control pricing and reduces wait times, though patients in remote counties may face longer scheduling delays and higher costs due to limited local options.

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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 Tennessee

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

Uninsured patients in Tennessee typically pay between $72 and $499 for Lower Back MRI services, with a median cost of $188 based on current negotiated rates. Many imaging centers offer cash-pay discounts of 20-50% off standard pricing, so uninsured patients should always ask about self-pay rates before scheduling. Independent radiology clinics often provide more affordable options than hospital-based imaging departments.

Does Tennessee Medicaid cover Lower Back MRI visits?

TennCare (Tennessee's Medicaid program) covers medically necessary Lower Back MRI scans for eligible members, typically requiring prior authorization from the patient's primary care physician. Since Tennessee did not expand Medicaid, eligibility remains limited to specific categories like pregnant women, children, parents with very low incomes, and disabled individuals. Coverage includes both the imaging service and radiologist interpretation fees.

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

Compare prices between independent imaging centers and hospital-based facilities, as independents often charge 30-50% less for identical services. Ask about cash-pay discounts even if you have insurance, as self-pay rates sometimes beat insurance copays and deductibles. Community health centers and federally qualified health centers across Tennessee may offer sliding-scale pricing based on income for qualifying patients.

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

Lower Back MRI pricing focuses on the imaging procedure itself rather than consultation visits, with costs ranging from $72 to $499 regardless of whether it's ordered during an initial evaluation or follow-up appointment. The radiologist's interpretation fee is typically included in the quoted price, though some facilities may bill the professional and technical components separately. Follow-up scans to monitor treatment progress cost the same as initial diagnostic imaging.

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

Yes, medically necessary Lower Back MRI scans qualify as eligible medical expenses for both Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs). You can use pre-tax dollars from these accounts to pay for imaging services, copays, deductibles, and any out-of-pocket costs not covered by insurance. Keep receipts and documentation for tax purposes and FSA reimbursement claims.

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

Telemedicine consultations for discussing Lower Back MRI results or planning imaging studies typically cost $50-150 less than in-person visits in Tennessee. Many radiologists and spine specialists offer virtual follow-up appointments to review scan results and discuss treatment options, though the actual MRI procedure must be performed in-person at an imaging facility. Telehealth options help reduce overall care costs by eliminating travel time and reducing facility overhead.

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