MRI Cost and MRI Procedures Information

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a noninvasive, usually painless medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions. MR imaging uses a powerful magnetic field, radio waves and a computer to produce detailed three dimensional pictures of organs, soft tissues, bone and virtually all other internal body structures. The images can then be examined on a computer monitor or printed. MRI does not use ionizing radiation (x-rays).

MRI Cost Averages Around the Country

Price Range
Los Angeles, CA MRI Cost Average $490 - $1,250
Houston, TX MRI Cost Average $550 - $1,450
Miami, FL MRI Cost Average $600 - $1,500
New York, NY MRI Cost Average $650 - $1,700
Atlanta, GA MRI Cost Average $575 - $1,500
Philadelphia, PA MRI Cost Average $600 - $1,600
Phoenix, AZ MRI Cost Average $550 - $1,450
Washington, DC MRI Cost Average $575 - $1,500
Dallas, TX MRI Cost Average $525 - $1,350
Chicago, IL MRI Cost Average $600 - $1,550

Specific MRI Procedures and National Cost Averages

Price Range
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (General MRI) Cost Average $650 - $1,650
Brain MRI Cost Average $700 - $1,800
Neck MRI Cost Average $975 - $2,550
Chest MRI Cost Average $750 - $1,950
Breast MRI (One Breast) Cost Average $1,200 - $3,100
Breast MRI (Both Breasts) Cost Average $800 - $2,025
Abdominal MRI Cost Average $725 - $1,850
MRI Cervical Spine Cost Average $550 - $1,450
Pelvic MRI Cost Average $675 - $1,750
MRI Shoulder, Arm, Wrist, Hand (Upper Extremity) Cost Average $430 - $1,100
MRI Foot, Ankle, Leg, Hip (Lower Extremity) Cost Average $420 - $1,100
MRI of Head Cost Average $380 - $1,000
Cardiac MRI Cost Average $975 - $2,475
Bone MRI Cost Average $330 - $850
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Featured Facilities that Perform MRI

Name Location Price Range
Columbus Diagnostic Imaging Columbus , IN $450 - $2,325
Coastal County Imaging Services Gulfport , MS $430 - $2,250
Open MRI of Tifton Tifton , GA $440 - $2,325
Van Wert County Hospital Van Wert , OH $600 - $2,850
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan Hilo , HI $550 - $2,925
Imaging Associates of Abilene Abilene , TX $440 - $2,325
The Finley Hospital Dubuque , IA $650 - $3,600
Sacred Heart Hospital Cumberland , MD $1,100 - $3,600
Bartlett Regional Hospital Juneau , AK $575 - $5,200
Western Missouri Medical Center Warrensburg , MO $725 - $2,175
Foote Health System Jackson , MI $825 - $4,100
Southern Pines Diagnostic Imaging Southern Pines , NC $460 - $2,400
Hitchcock X-Ray Youngstown , OH $470 - $2,475
West Plains Imaging West Plains , MO $410 - $2,175
Southeastern Regional Medical Center Lumberton , NC $775 - $2,925
Ogh Imaging Grand Coteau , LA $440 - $2,325
Chester Regional Medical Center Chester , SC $420 - $2,700
North Colorado Medical Center Greeley , CO $675 - $2,850
Arnot Ogden Medical Center Elmira , NY $700 - $2,550
Lake Chelan Community Hospital Chelan , WA $1,500 - $6,700
MRI Of San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo , CA $340 - $1,800
Gratiot Medical Center Alma , MI $575 - $1,850
Thousand Oaks Imaging Center Joplin , MO $410 - $2,175
Ephraim Mcdowell Regional Medical Center Danville , KY $600 - $4,900
College Fields MRI New Castle , PA $460 - $2,400
Maysville Diagnostic Center Maysville , KY $430 - $2,250
Children's Hospital of Wisconsin - Fox Valley Neenah , WI $1,300 - $5,000
Moore County Hospital Dumas , TX $470 - $3,300
Alliance Imaging Bloomington , IL $440 - $2,325
L V Imaging Brownsville , TX $440 - $2,325

More about MRI Procedures

MRI Procedure FAQ

MRI Facts

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners use a powerful magnetic field (magnetism), radio waves and a computer to produce detailed three dimensional pictures of organs, soft tissues, bone and virtually all other internal body structures. The images can then be examined on a computer monitor or printed. MRI scans do not require x-ray radiation and are noninvasive, usually painless medical tests.

MRI Side Effects

Patients with pacemakers, metal implants or metal chips/clips cannot be scanned. Patients may experience a feeling of claustrophobia when undergoing an MRI scan.

What to Expect Before Your MRI

Your physician or facility may have specific requirements regarding your eating and/or drinking before an MRI. Unless you are told otherwise, you may eat and drink normally before an MRI. Leave all metallic items at home, if possible.

Notify your technologist if you have metal or electronic medical devices in your body!

If a contrast material is required for your MRI, a nurse or technologist will insert an intravenous (IV) into a vein in your hand or arm. It is normal to experience a cool or flushing feeling.

What to Expect During Your MRI

During your MRI, you will likely be asked to lie on a bed that slides into the circular magnet. If you have claustrophobia (a fear of enclosed spaces) or anxiety, you should notify your physician as a mild sedative may be prescribed or an open-sided MRI machine may be used.

Most MRI exams are painless. However, it is normal to feel warm in the area of your body that is being imaged. The entire imaging session should be able to be completed in under an hour.

What to Expect After Your MRI

Unless you have been sedated, an MRI requires no recovery period.

How does an MRI Machine Produce Images?

MRI scanners produce images by creating a strong magnetic field that causes protons inside of the body to move enough to be detected by the MRI’s scanner. This positional information is then interpreted by a computer.

When is an MRI used?

The ability of an MRI to produce images of softer bodies makes it capable of imaging organs and internal structures of the body when other testing has failed. For this reason, an MRI can be used to provide images of a brain, for example, suspected of suffering trauma that is causing swelling and/or bleeding.

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