Lower Back (Lumbar Spine) MRI (with contrast) cost at US hospitals
MRI lumbar spine with contrast · CPT 72149
$287.17
lowest cash price
$2,441.25
national median
$24,168.58
highest cash price
895
hospitals with a published cash price
Middle half of hospitals (25th–75th percentile) against the full range. The same procedure varies $287.17–$24,168.58 — the variation is the story.
Median cash price over time
Sep 1, 2025 ($1,854.70) → Sep 1, 2026 ($7,495.26)
By state
| State | Hospitals | Lowest cash | Median | Highest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | 3 | $1,600.20 | $3,841.50 | $4,972.50 |
| Arizona | 22 | $350.55 | $525.83 | $3,878.44 |
| Arkansas | 7 | $643.80 | $1,527.60 | $5,547.00 |
| California | 89 | $675.00 | $2,917.20 | $10,753.86 |
| Colorado | 17 | $381.52 | $6,882.84 | $21,645.25 |
| Florida | 81 | $622.25 | $6,783.32 | $24,168.58 |
| Georgia | 25 | $1,565.25 | $2,045.55 | $5,212.17 |
| Hawaii | 2 | $846.08 | $846.08 | $1,965.00 |
| Illinois | 51 | $1,275.60 | $3,435.60 | $5,068.80 |
| Indiana | 26 | $582.60 | $890.00 | $3,543.47 |
| Iowa | 22 | $1,167.60 | $2,447.90 | $4,822.67 |
| Kansas | 11 | $1,606.00 | $4,879.79 | $16,294.17 |
| Kentucky | 21 | $837.50 | $3,151.80 | $16,922.09 |
| Louisiana | 1 | $757.90 | $757.90 | $757.90 |
| Maine | 7 | $1,854.70 | $2,133.25 | $3,136.80 |
| Maryland | 1 | $382.80 | $382.80 | $382.80 |
| Michigan | 27 | $287.17 | $2,949.00 | $4,504.80 |
| Minnesota | 19 | $729.74 | $1,848.11 | $3,508.00 |
| Mississippi | 11 | $310.86 | $1,142.87 | $1,535.10 |
| Missouri | 20 | $1,086.80 | $1,791.90 | $18,044.55 |
| Montana | 2 | $2,183.20 | $2,183.20 | $2,448.80 |
| Nebraska | 12 | $1,430.03 | $1,695.54 | $3,965.25 |
| Nevada | 3 | $2,438.69 | $2,920.84 | $3,234.30 |
| New Hampshire | 1 | $4,713.95 | $4,713.95 | $4,713.95 |
| New Jersey | 21 | $390.30 | $550.04 | $797.72 |
| New Mexico | 2 | $2,794.68 | $2,794.68 | $2,794.68 |
| New York | 22 | $422.61 | $422.61 | $7,986.00 |
| North Carolina | 15 | $1,798.50 | $2,415.68 | $5,984.00 |
| North Dakota | 4 | $3,162.40 | $3,162.40 | $3,555.20 |
| Ohio | 53 | $1,062.00 | $2,064.40 | $6,082.80 |
| Oklahoma | 16 | $1,054.87 | $1,950.65 | $4,031.00 |
| Oregon | 13 | $315.90 | $1,596.75 | $3,485.00 |
| Pennsylvania | 31 | $635.50 | $2,713.80 | $8,004.00 |
| South Carolina | 10 | $935.00 | $2,112.50 | $13,451.00 |
| South Dakota | 6 | $3,169.60 | $3,289.60 | $3,616.00 |
| Tennessee | 38 | $624.68 | $775.50 | $15,341.70 |
| Texas | 113 | $984.60 | $2,612.85 | $14,833.97 |
| Virginia | 39 | $624.68 | $2,644.00 | $10,276.00 |
| Washington | 32 | $1,467.44 | $2,169.60 | $3,604.30 |
| West Virginia | 15 | $1,228.00 | $1,800.00 | $3,384.60 |
| Wisconsin | 32 | $1,387.01 | $2,210.00 | $3,281.30 |
| Wyoming | 4 | $1,000.86 | $1,447.39 | $1,534.19 |
All hospitals
| Hospital | Location | Cash price | Negotiated range |
|---|---|---|---|
| University Hospitals Elyria Medical Center | Elyria, OH | $2,441.25 | $330.06 – $594.11 |
| University Hospitals Portage Medical Center | Ravenna OH 44266, OH | $2,441.25 | $356.43 – $641.57 |
| University Hospitals Ahuja Medical Center | Beachwood, OH | $2,441.25 | $330.06 – $2,929.50 |
| Bakersfield Memorial Hospital | Bakersfield, CA | $2,442.39 | $380.88 – $5,257.45 |
| ADVENTIST HEALTH DELANO | Delano, CA | $2,445.00 | $217.36 – $1,648.66 |
| SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital | Saint Louis, MO | $2,445.30 | $224.41 – $662.62 |
| BAYLOR SCOTT & WHITE MEDICAL CENTER - BUDA | Suite 110, TX | $2,446.79 | $279.00 – $3,058.49 |
| BAYLOR SCOTT & WHITE CONTINUING CARE HOSPITAL | Temple, TX | $2,446.79 | $279.00 – $3,670.19 |
| BAYLOR SCOTT & WHITE MEDICAL CENTER HILLCREST | Waco, TX | $2,446.79 | $279.00 – $3,058.49 |
| BAYLOR SCOTT & WHITE MEDICAL CENTER - PFLUGERVILLE | Suite 100, TX | $2,446.79 | $279.00 – $3,670.19 |
| BAYLOR SCOTT & WHITE MEDICAL CENTER - TAYLOR | Taylor, TX | $2,446.79 | $494.01 – $3,262.39 |
| BAYLOR SCOTT & WHITE MEDICAL CENTER - BRENHAM | Brenham, TX | $2,446.79 | $494.01 – $3,670.19 |
| BAYLOR SCOTT & WHITE MEDICAL CENTER - COLLEGE STATION | College Station, TX | $2,446.79 | $298.53 – $3,670.19 |
| BAYLOR SCOTT & WHITE EMERGENCY MEDICAL CENTER - CEDAR PARK | Cedar Park, TX | $2,446.79 | $279.00 – $3,670.19 |
| BAYLOR SCOTT & WHITE MCLANE CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER | Temple, TX | $2,446.79 | $279.00 – $3,670.19 |
| MercyOne Clinton Medical Center | Clinton, IA | $2,447.90 | $321.26 – $3,766.00 |
| OSF Healthcare Divine Mercy Continuing Care Hospital | Peoria, IL | $2,448.00 | not published |
| Providence St Joseph Medical Center | Polson, MT | $2,448.80 | $1,202.18 – $1,202.18 |
| UPMC Northwest | Seneca, PA | $2,449.80 | $308.78 – $1,371.07 |
| St. Elizabeth Hospital | Enumclaw, WA | $2,457.09 | $772.42 – $6,258.06 |
| cleveland clinic florida weston hospital | Weston, FL | $2,464.80 | $74.58 – $2,618.00 |
| Mercy Hospitals – Bakersfield | Bakersfield, CA | $2,469.01 | $380.88 – $5,324.00 |
| Ascension St. Vincent Randolph (St. Vincent Randolph Hospital, Inc.) | Winchester, IN | $2,496.60 | $50.49 – $485.37 |
| Mercy Hospital Watonga | Watonga, OK | $2,499.25 | $162.10 – $980.18 |
| Mercy Hospital Kingfisher | Kingfisher, OK | $2,499.25 | $162.10 – $980.18 |
| SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital - Oklahoma City | Oklahoma City, OK | $2,522.30 | $279.73 – $892.83 |
| Mercy Hospital Logan County | Guthrie, OK | $2,539.55 | $162.10 – $980.18 |
| Mercy Hospital Carthage | Carthage, MO | $2,541.50 | $162.10 – $1,610.66 |
| French Hospital | San Luis Obispo, CA | $2,556.24 | $380.88 – $2,111.00 |
| Ascension St. Vincent Williamsport (St. Vincent Williamsport Hospital, Inc.) | Williamsport, IN | $2,559.00 | $50.49 – $485.37 |
| Providence Saint John's Health Center | Santa Monica, CA | $2,561.30 | $448.71 – $1,074.63 |
| UnityPoint Health - Jones Regional Medical Center | Anamosa, IA | $2,562.16 | $78.25 – $2,840.79 |
| HSHS St. Nicholas Hospital | SHEBOYGAN, WI | $2,571.36 | $179.97 – $1,444.47 |
| HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital | OCONTO FALLS, WI | $2,571.36 | $356.43 – $1,513.40 |
| HSHS St. Mary's Hospital Medical Center | GREEN BAY, WI | $2,571.36 | $179.97 – $1,444.47 |
| HSHS St. Vincent Hospital | Green Bay, WI | $2,571.36 | $186.59 – $1,444.47 |
| O'Bleness Hospital | Athens, OH | $2,575.30 | $333.12 – $336.45 |
| Camden Clark Medical Center | Parkersburg, WV | $2,597.00 | $63.57 – $582.78 |
| Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Alliance | Fort Worth, TX | $2,612.85 | $279.00 – $306.90 |
| Texas Health Center for Diagnostics and Surgery Plano | Plano, TX | $2,612.85 | $279.00 – $301.32 |
| Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital | Arlington, TX | $2,612.85 | $279.00 – $306.90 |
| Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Allen | Allen, TX | $2,612.85 | $279.00 – $301.32 |
| Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Flower Mound | Flower Mound, TX | $2,612.85 | $279.00 – $306.90 |
| Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Azle | Azle, TX | $2,612.85 | $279.00 – $306.90 |
| Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Denton | Denton, TX | $2,612.85 | $279.00 – $306.90 |
| Texas Health Hospital Frisco | Frisco, TX | $2,612.85 | $279.00 – $301.32 |
| Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas | Dallas, TX | $2,612.85 | $279.00 – $301.32 |
| Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Hurst-Euless-Bedford | Bedford, TX | $2,612.85 | $279.00 – $306.90 |
| Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Kaufman | Kaufman, TX | $2,612.85 | $279.00 – $301.32 |
| Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano | Plano, TX | $2,612.85 | $279.00 – $301.32 |