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Health Education

MRI costs: What you’ll pay with and without insurance

Factors such as insurance coverage and geographic location determine what you’ll pay out of pocket for an MRI
Taneia Surles, MPH
By | Updated on Jan. 2, 2025 Medically reviewed by Chad Shaffer, MD
Someone looking at an MRI of a hip: How much does an MRI cost?

Key takeaways

  • MRI costs in the United States vary widely due to factors like insurance coverage, geographic location, and the type of facility.

  • Without insurance, MRI costs can range from $400 to $12,000, while insurance coverage can significantly lower these costs, depending on deductibles and copays.

  • Both Medicaid and Medicare may cover MRI costs partially or fully, with specifics varying by state for Medicaid and by inpatient versus outpatient settings for Medicare.

  • The cost of an MRI is also influenced by the type of MRI needed, the use of contrast agents, and whether it’s conducted in an inpatient or outpatient setting, with geographic location impacting overall expenses.

In this article:

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a common imaging technique that can develop detailed images of organs and structures using magnets and radio waves. With the detailed images from an MRI, a healthcare provider can detect and diagnose conditions such as tumors, infections, and injuries. They can also track the progression of diseases and whether treatment is effective. This technology is effective, but expensive.

The national average cost of an MRI in the United States is $1,325, but you could pay much less or much more depending on various factors. We’ll give you an idea of what you can expect to pay and how to lower your out-of-pocket cost for an MRI.

How much does an MRI cost without insurance?

There’s a wide price range for an MRI scan because many factors can impact the cost. According to Michael Yudelevich, MD, an independent patient advocate at My Personal Health Advocate in New York City, an MRI can range from $400–$12,000 without insurance. 

How much does an MRI cost with insurance?

Insurance coverage varies by plan, but most health insurance policies cover at least part of the cost of an MRI if it’s medically necessary. However, you may need to meet your deductible first. A deductible is what you pay for covered health services before your insurance provider starts to pay. 

Once you’ve paid your deductible, you’ll only be responsible for paying coinsurance or a copay. If you have a high-deductible health plan (HDHP), you may pay more out-of-pocket expenses, leaving you to cover most or all of the cost of your MRI if you haven’t yet met your deductible for the year. If you’re unsure, contact your health insurance provider.

Do Medicaid and Medicare cover MRIs?

Both Medicaid and Medicare provide partial or complete coverage for MRI costs. “Medicaid, which is state medical insurance for those with low income, covers all medical services, including MRIs, without cost to patients,” says Virgie Bright Ellington, MD, a medical billing expert based in New York City and author of What Your Doctor Wants You Know to Crush Medical Debt. However, Medicaid coverage varies since states can establish their own eligibility rules and requirements. 

Medicare Part B covers diagnostic non-laboratory tests, including MRI procedures. After meeting your deductible, you will need to pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount. Medicare beneficiaries spend an average of $60 for MRIs at ambulatory surgical centers and $94 at hospital outpatient departments.

“The only time I see Medicaid and Medicare not covering an MRI is because they believe that it is not required,” says Adria Goldman Gross, a medical bill advocate and CEO and president of MedWise Insurance Advocacy in Monroe, New York. “Many times, they recommend other avenues before they will agree to pay for an MRI.”

Factors that affect the cost of an MRI

The primary factors that can affect the cost of an MRI include insurance coverage, type of facility (inpatient or outpatient), location of the MRI (area of the body), and geographic location.

In addition to these factors, Dr. Ellington shares that features such as radio-opaque contrast agents, which are drugs used to diagnose certain medical conditions, can impact MRI costs. They contain gadolinium, an element to help increase the effect of the MRI’s magnetic field.

Insurance coverage

If you have insurance coverage, your out-of-pocket expenses for an MRI will vary depending on what your health plan or policy covers. Your insurance deductibles, coinsurance, and copays all can contribute to the costs of an MRI. 

Another factor that impacts your MRI cost with insurance is whether you visit an in-network facility. Check your health insurance policy’s provider network to find an in-network facility. You can also call the phone number on the back of your health insurance card for assistance choosing a provider in your network.

Keep in mind that your insurance company has the right to determine whether your MRI is medically necessary, and if they don’t, they can refuse to cover your costs. When this occurs, you may need to request a “letter of medical necessity” from your healthcare provider, who can send it to your insurance company as part of their certification or utilization review process. After submitting documentation, your insurance provider will review your requested medical services to determine if they’ll help cover your MRI’s partial or total costs or if you’ll be responsible for out-of-pocket costs.

“Prior authorizations may be necessary both with Medicare and Medicaid, which are usually submitted by the ordering physician prior to the diagnostic imaging study,” Dr. Yudelevich says. “Each insurance plan will have specific requirements for these authorizations.”

Type of MRI

Several types of MRIs are administered for various medical reasons and on certain parts of the body. Below are examples of the different types of MRIs by body part:

  • Abdominal 
  • Cervical
  • Cranial
  • Chest
  • Heart
  • Lumbar
  • Pelvic
  • MRA (MR Angiography)
  • MRV (MR Venography)

The type of MRI you need will affect the overall cost of the medical service. Gross says that brain MRIs tend to be the most expensive.

Average MRI cost by body part
Area of body Average cost
Brain  $1,600–$8,400
Chest  $500–$7,900
Cervical spine $1,400–$7,600
Abdomen $1,600–$7,600
Heart $430–$6,500
Upper extremities $1,050–$7,000
Lower extremities $975–$6,300
Source: New Choice Health

Open MRI vs. closed MRI

Also, the type of MRI machine plays a crucial role in what you’ll pay. There are two main types of MRI machines: closed-bore and open-bore.

A closed-bore or simply closed MRI machine has a 60-centimeter ring of magnets—a “bore”—where you’d lie during the procedure to have your images taken. Because of its size and the fact that it’s closed on all sides, it’s common for people to feel a bit cramped or claustrophobic, but it does deliver more detailed images.

An open-bore or open MRI machine provides a more comfortable experience for people who are claustrophobic, as it has a larger space between the magnets than a closed-bore machine. However, the distance between the patient and the magnets lowers the imaging quality. Open-bore MRIs tend to cost less than closed-bore MRIs because closed-bore MRIs tend to be a more complex type of machine and have pricier maintenance needs. 

Type of hospital or outpatient facility

One factor that affects the cost of an MRI is whether it’s performed in an outpatient or inpatient setting. Inpatient care facilities typically cost more than outpatient care facilities because of the additional facility costs on top of the procedure costs and physician fees. However, that’s not always the case. “​Radiology and other outpatient departments affiliated with hospitals are always the most expensive settings to get medical services,” Dr. Ellington adds. “A knee MRI, for example, can cost as little as $268 at an independent outpatient facility and go up to $3,227 at an outpatient facility affiliated with a hospital or medical center.”

Compared among inpatient facilities, nonprofit and government hospitals charge more for brain MRIs than for-profit hospitals, according to a research article published in the journal JAMA Network Open. The article reveals that the health system’s characteristics account for 36% of the variation in prices for brain scans. Also, higher-priced facilities tend to be in more affluent areas, have fewer Medicare patients, and employ physicians in their MRI departments. These findings suggest that non- and public hospitals tend to have more bargaining power when negotiating with insurance providers.

Geographic location

Where you live also significantly affects the cost of an MRI. “Government and private insurance pay rates for medical services, including MRIs, vary according to region,” Dr. Ellington says.

According to research on commercially insured patients, 42% of the variation in healthcare spending is based on location.

Average MRI cost by city
City Price range
Chicago $575–$1,500
Dallas $500–$1,300
New York $625–$1,600
Los Angeles $460–$1,200
Washington, DC $550–$1,400
 Source: New Choice Health

Whether you’ll need medication

Getting an MRI, especially one involving a close-bore machine, can make some people claustrophobic and anxious. To help calm patients, your radiologist may prescribe medication before administering an MRI. This will add to the overall cost of this medical procedure.

“​Physicians requesting MRIs for their patients will usually provide a prescription for an anti-anxiety medication for those who are anxious in small spaces,” Dr. Ellington says.

If sedation is necessary, an anesthetist or anesthesiologist will administer the medication before the procedure and charge additional money for you to be under regional or general anesthesia, according to Gross.

Below are some examples of antianxiety and sedative medications given to MRI patients:

Speak with your healthcare provider facilitating your MRI imaging to explore treatments for anxiety or claustrophobia before your procedure. 

How to save money when getting an MRI

Your healthcare provider may recommend a specific facility for getting your MRI, but you’re not obligated to use that location. You can ask them to order your MRI at whichever location is most affordable and convenient. If you have health insurance, make sure the location your healthcare provider recommends is in-network. You can do this by contacting your plan provider or using its website to look up the price of your MRI online. 

If you don’t have health insurance, let your healthcare provider know. They may be able to recommend local, affordable outpatient centers. The American Academy of Radiology has an online tool you can use to locate accredited facilities near you.