Wisconsin

Cost of a Lower Back MRI Visit
in Wisconsin

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

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

Wisconsin's healthcare market maintains costs roughly 1% above national averages, with Lower Back MRI visits showing significant price variation across the state's diverse provider network. Patients typically pay between $73 and $1,477 for Lower Back MRI services, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $181 based on negotiated insurance rates. Wisconsin has over 6,500 active Lower Back MRI providers serving communities from Milwaukee's medical district to rural counties, giving patients multiple options when browsing all providers throughout Wisconsin.

Average

$577

Median

$181

Lowest

$73

Highest

$1,477

Providers

6,596

National avg: $383Wisconsin: $577

51% above national average

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Compare Similar Procedures

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

Procedure	CPT	Low	Median	High	Providers
MRI Brain MRI of the brain with and without contrast	70553	$80	$381	$2,464	4,163
MRI Knee MRI of the knee without contrast	73721	$73	$139	$1,001	5,766
CT Abdomen & Pelvis CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast	74177	$79	$239	$2,090	5,417
CT Chest CT scan of the chest with contrast	71260	$73	$154	$863	4,270

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 Wisconsin

Wisconsin's healthcare costs run approximately 1% above national averages, reflecting the state's balanced mix of urban medical centers and rural provider networks. The state's geography creates distinct cost patterns, with Milwaukee and Madison commanding higher rates while northern and rural counties often offer more competitive pricing for Lower Back MRI services.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

Wisconsin's Lower Back MRI specialists concentrate heavily in Milwaukee, Madison, and Green Bay, creating cost premiums in these metro areas due to higher demand and facility overhead. Rural counties often have limited specialist access, requiring patients to travel to urban centers or rely on visiting specialists who may charge travel premiums. The state's northern regions particularly face provider shortages, affecting both access and pricing dynamics.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Wisconsin's major health systems including Ascension Wisconsin, Aurora Health Care, and UW Health operate numerous hospital-based specialty clinics that typically charge higher facility fees than independent practices. These system-affiliated providers often have higher overhead costs due to administrative complexity and hospital infrastructure requirements. Independent Lower Back MRI specialists generally offer more competitive pricing but may have limited support services.

Insurance Market Competition in Wisconsin

Wisconsin's insurance market shows moderate competition with BCBS Wisconsin (Anthem), UnitedHealthcare, and WEA Trust holding significant market share across different regions. This concentration allows these insurers to negotiate competitive rates with larger provider networks, though smaller insurers may face higher negotiated prices. The state's regulatory environment supports market stability but limits dramatic price competition between insurers.

Physician Supply and Demand in Wisconsin

With over 6,500 active Lower Back MRI providers statewide, Wisconsin maintains adequate specialist supply relative to its population, though distribution favors urban areas significantly. This provider density indicates healthy competition in metro markets, helping moderate pricing and reduce wait times for appointments. Rural areas continue to face specialist shortages, potentially driving up costs and extending travel requirements for patients seeking Lower Back MRI care.

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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 Wisconsin

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

Without insurance, Lower Back MRI visits in Wisconsin typically cost between $73 and $1,477, with a median cost of $181 based on negotiated rates from transparency data. Self-pay patients often receive discounts of 20-40% off standard rates, and many providers offer payment plans to make care more affordable. Community health centers and independent practices generally offer the most competitive cash-pay pricing.

Does Wisconsin Medicaid cover Lower Back MRI visits?

Yes, Wisconsin expanded Medicaid under the ACA, providing coverage for Lower Back MRI visits for eligible adults with incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level. Coverage includes both initial consultations and follow-up visits, though some services may require prior authorization. Medicaid patients should verify that their chosen provider accepts Wisconsin Medicaid before scheduling appointments.

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

Compare costs across different facility types, as independent practices typically charge less than hospital-based clinics for the same Lower Back MRI services. Ask about self-pay discounts if you're uninsured or have a high-deductible plan, and consider community health centers which often offer sliding scale fees. Use price transparency tools to compare negotiated rates across providers before making your selection.

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

Based on Wisconsin pricing data, Lower Back MRI visits typically cost between $73 and $1,477, with the median at $181, regardless of whether it's an initial consultation or follow-up visit. Initial visits may involve more comprehensive evaluation and diagnostic testing, potentially increasing overall costs beyond the consultation fee. Follow-up visits often focus on treatment monitoring and may require fewer additional services, keeping costs toward the lower end of the range.

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

Yes, Lower Back MRI visits qualify as eligible medical expenses for both Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) in Wisconsin. These accounts allow you to pay with pre-tax dollars, effectively reducing your out-of-pocket costs by your marginal tax rate. Keep all receipts and documentation for reimbursement purposes, and remember that HSA funds roll over annually while FSA funds typically must be used within the plan year.

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

Telemedicine consultations with Lower Back MRI specialists in Wisconsin typically cost significantly less than in-person visits, often ranging from $50-150 for initial consultations. However, physical examination and diagnostic imaging cannot be performed remotely, so most patients will need follow-up in-person visits for comprehensive care. Wisconsin expanded telehealth coverage during the pandemic, and many insurers now cover virtual specialist consultations at the same rate as office visits.

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Average Visit Cost