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I recently had a lumbar spine MRI with and without contrast. My insurance company was charged $4,307 plus an additional $700+ for the radiologist's fee. When I saw the bill, I laughed thinking there must have been a mistake. Nevertheless, the insurance company actually approved $2,500 of the charges. I've had several other MRIs in the past which cost anywhere from $500 to $1750, including the radiologist's report. Since receiving the bill, I called some local imaging clinics whose charges range from $500 to $600 for a cash-pay lumbar spine MRI with and without contrast including the films and the radiologist's report.

My conclusion is there is no such thing as an 'average cost' for a lumbar spine MRI. The cost is whatever the clinic wants to charge. Unfortunately, the Doctor Who orders the MRI usually sends you to the MRI clinic associated with his practice and he has no idea of the cost. And the patient usually trusts the doctor and doesn't bother asking the price ahead of time or shopping around. That was what happened in my case, and now I know why insurance premiums are so high. The moral: always shop around...

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βˆ™ 16y ago
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βˆ™ 15y ago

MRI scans of the lower back (aka the Lumbar Spine) range in price from $700-$3000 depending on where you get the scan done. Outpatient centers are relatively inexpensive versus their hospital counterparts. If the scan requires contrast (aka dye) the scan can cost an additional $100-$500. You can look up MRI scan costs and buy your doctor ordered MRI scan at www.remakehealth.com.

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βˆ™ 15y ago

MRI equipment varies in cost, depending on the strength of the scanner. Scanners with more strength produce more detailed images; therefore, these scanners cost more. MRI machines can range in cost between $1 and $3 million. Construction of MRI suites can easily add another $500,000 to the total cost. An extremity MRI machine alone costs $300,000 or more, and can only be used to scan hands, feet and knees. Purchasing a used-extremity MRI scanner can cost as much as $150,000.

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βˆ™ 13y ago

I live in Vegas and a cash price is betwen 600-650

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βˆ™ 12y ago

you think i am crazier?

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Q: What the average cost of an MRI of the lumbar spine?
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