Procedures › Imaging
MRI scan cost estimator
Brain, without contrast: Medicare national rate $195; typical commercial estimate $360.
Estimate your cost
Where these numbers come from
- Uses the Medicare non-facility global rate (scan plus radiologist’s reading) at a freestanding imaging center in your Medicare locality.
How the Medicare rate varies by location
For “Brain, without contrast”, the Medicare rate ranges from $173 to $263 across the 109 Medicare payment localities (51% spread). Commercial prices vary far more than this between providers.
| State | Lowest locality | Highest locality | Localities |
|---|---|---|---|
| AK | $227 | — | 1 |
| AL | $176 | — | 1 |
| AR | $173 | — | 1 |
| AZ | $190 | — | 1 |
| CA | $208 (CHICO) | $263 (SAN JOSE-SUNNYVALE-SANTA CLARA (SAN BENITO CNTY)) | 29 |
| CO | $204 | — | 1 |
| CT | $208 | — | 1 |
| DC | $224 | — | 1 |
| DE | $194 | — | 1 |
| FL | $191 (REST OF FLORIDA) | $206 (MIAMI) | 3 |
| GA | $180 (REST OF GEORGIA) | $199 (ATLANTA) | 2 |
| HI | $214 | — | 1 |
| IA | $181 | — | 1 |
| ID | $182 | — | 1 |
| IL | $185 (REST OF ILLINOIS) | $202 (SUBURBAN CHICAGO) | 4 |
| IN | $183 | — | 1 |
| KS | $180 | — | 1 |
| KY | $179 | — | 1 |
| LA | $179 (REST OF LOUISIANA) | $187 (NEW ORLEANS) | 2 |
| MA | $203 (REST OF MASSACHUSETTS) | $225 (METROPOLITAN BOSTON) | 2 |
| MD | $197 (REST OF MARYLAND) | $207 (BALTIMORE/SURR. CNTYS) | 2 |
| ME | $183 (REST OF MAINE) | $193 (SOUTHERN MAINE) | 2 |
| MI | $183 (REST OF MICHIGAN) | $193 (DETROIT) | 2 |
| MN | $197 | — | 1 |
| MO | $175 (REST OF MISSOURI) | $188 (METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS) | 3 |
| MS | $175 | — | 1 |
| MT | $195 | — | 1 |
| NC | $185 | — | 1 |
| ND | $193 | — | 1 |
| NE | $182 | — | 1 |
| NH | $201 | — | 1 |
| NJ | $211 (REST OF NEW JERSEY) | $222 (NORTHERN NJ) | 2 |
| NM | $184 | — | 1 |
| NV | $195 | — | 1 |
| NY | $187 (REST OF NEW YORK) | $229 (NYC SUBURBS/LONG ISLAND) | 5 |
| OH | $183 | — | 1 |
| OK | $179 | — | 1 |
| OR | $194 (REST OF OREGON) | $211 (PORTLAND) | 2 |
| PA | $183 (REST OF PENNSYLVANIA) | $203 (METROPOLITAN PHILADELPHIA) | 2 |
| PR | $197 | — | 1 |
| RI | $201 | — | 1 |
| SC | $184 | — | 1 |
| SD | $193 | — | 1 |
| TN | $181 | — | 1 |
| TX | $182 (BEAUMONT) | $203 (AUSTIN) | 8 |
| UT | $186 | — | 1 |
| VA | $192 | — | 1 |
| VI | $197 | — | 1 |
| VT | $192 | — | 1 |
| WA | $203 (REST OF WASHINGTON) | $230 (SEATTLE (KING CNTY)) | 2 |
| WI | $187 | — | 1 |
| WV | $178 | — | 1 |
| WY | $195 | — | 1 |
What changes the price
- Hospital outpatient departments usually cost more than freestanding imaging centers
- Contrast adds cost
- Self-pay cash prices at independent centers can be close to or below commercial rates: ask for a Good Faith Estimate
Insurance, HSA and paying over time
Eligible (IRS Pub. 502). See the insurance & HSA guide and the payment calculator. Promotional “no interest if paid in full” healthcare cards charge the deferred interest from day one if the balance is not cleared in time.
FAQ
How much does mri scan cost?
Brain, without contrast: Medicare national rate $195; typical commercial estimate $360. Use the estimator above for your situation; every figure comes from the sources listed on this page.
Can I use an HSA or FSA for mri scan?
Eligible (IRS Pub. 502). In 2026 the HSA limit is $4,400 (self-only) or $8,750 (family), and the health FSA limit is $3,400.
Why is the estimate based on Medicare rates?
Medicare publishes its rates for every location. RAND’s Round 5.1 study found private plans paid on average 184% of Medicare for professional services and 171% for common surgery-center services (2022 data), so we scale the local Medicare rate by those averages. You can change the multipliers.
Is this a quote?
No. It is an estimate for planning. If you are uninsured or self-paying, providers must give you a Good Faith Estimate under the No Surprises Act when you schedule.
What makes mri scan cost more?
Hospital outpatient departments usually cost more than freestanding imaging centers; Contrast adds cost; Self-pay cash prices at independent centers can be close to or below commercial rates: ask for a Good Faith Estimate.
Sources
- Medicare Physician Fee Schedule relative value files RVU26D (October 2026 release) and GPCIs, CMS, Updated 2026-08-26. Accessed 2026-10-23.
- Prices Paid to Hospitals by Private Health Plans, Round 5.1 (2022 data), RAND Corporation, 2024. Accessed 2026-10-23.
- No Surprises Act: Good Faith Estimates for uninsured/self-pay patients, CMS. Accessed 2026-10-23.
- Publication 502, Medical and Dental Expenses, IRS, 2025 edition. Accessed 2026-10-23.
Medicare amounts are computed from CMS relative value units, geographic practice cost indices and the 2026 conversion factor ($33.4009); surgery-center amounts are national CMS rates. Procedure codes are used internally only and not reproduced. CPT is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association.