MRI Cost in Houston, TX
This page displays published hospital pricing data for MRI procedures across this metropolitan area, sourced from CMS-mandated hospital transparency files. The facility fee covers use of imaging equipment, technologist services, hospital room or imaging suite, and basic supplies required for the service. This analysis examines two billing codes: HCPCS 70551 (MRI Brain Without Contrast) and HCPCS 72148 (MRI Lumbar Spine Without Contrast), which represent the specific procedure types and anatomical areas billed to insurance providers. These standardized codes allow for direct price comparisons between different hospital facilities in the region.
Data last updated: 2026-02-28
MRI Brain Without Contrast (HCPCS 70551)
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MRI Lumbar Spine Without Contrast (HCPCS 72148)
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What These Prices Mean
Why MRI Prices Vary
Paying cash? Health insurance could lower your MRI cost.
Published cash prices on this page range from $231.94 to $4,112.66. Insurers on this page have negotiated rates starting from $198.11, many times lower than cash prices at the same hospitals. If you are uninsured, a marketplace health plan could reduce your out-of-pocket cost for this procedure.
Links go to Healthcare.gov, the official federal health insurance marketplace. We are not affiliated with Healthcare.gov or any insurance provider. This is not a recommendation for any specific plan.
Compare Insurer Rates for MRI in Houston
How much does each insurance company pay for mri at Houston hospitals?
| Insurer | Lowest Rate | Hospitals |
|---|---|---|
| Community Health Choice | $187.28 | 32 |
| Texas Children's Health Plan | $187.28 | 17 |
| Superior Health Plan | $193.67 | 20 |
| Amerigroup | $197.14 | 14 |
| UnitedHealthcare | $199.14 | 21 |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas | $207 | 21 |
| Aetna | $215.07 | 32 |
| Molina Healthcare | $216.85 | 12 |
Rates shown are the lowest and highest negotiated rates each insurer has published across Houston hospitals for this procedure. Your actual cost depends on your plan's deductible, copay, and coinsurance.
What Insurers Actually Pay
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Published negotiated rates for MRI Brain Without Contrast (HCPCS 70551) at HCA West, outpatient facility fee:
MRI Brain Without Contrast (70551), HCA West Payer Rates
| Insurance Payer | Plan Type | Negotiated Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Health Network | MCD | $198.11 |
| Amerigroup | MCDCHIPBH | $202.15 |
| Amerigroup | MGMCD | $202.15 |
| Texas Childrens Health Plans | STAR | $202.15 |
| Texas Childrens Health Plans | STARKIDS | $202.15 |
| Community Health Choice MCD | CHIP | $204.15 |
| Community Health Choice MCD | CHIPPerinatal | $204.15 |
| Community Health Choice MCD | STAR | $204.15 |
| Community Health Choice MCD | STAR+PLUS | $204.15 |
| United | MGMCD | $208.23 |
| United | MGMCD | $208.23 |
| United | MGMCD | $208.23 |
| United | MGMCD | $208.23 |
| United | MGMCD | $208.23 |
| United | MGMCD | $208.23 |
| United | MGMCD | $208.23 |
| United | MGMCD | $208.23 |
| United | MGMCD | $208.23 |
| United | MGMCD | $208.23 |
| United | MGMCD | $208.23 |
| United | MGMCD | $208.23 |
| United | MGMCD | $208.23 |
| United | MGMCD | $208.23 |
| United | MGMCD | $208.23 |
| United | MGMCD | $208.23 |
| United | MGMCD | $208.23 |
| United | MGMCD | $208.23 |
| United | MGMCD | $208.23 |
| United | MGMCD | $208.23 |
| United | MGMCD | $208.23 |
| United | MGMCD | $208.23 |
| United | MGMCD | $208.23 |
| United | MGMCD | $208.23 |
| United | MGMCD | $208.23 |
| United | MGMCD | $208.23 |
| United | MGMCD | $208.23 |
| United | MGMCD | $208.23 |
| United | MGMCD | $208.23 |
| United | MGMCD | $208.23 |
| United | MGMCD | $208.23 |
| United | MGMCD | $208.23 |
| United | MGMCD | $208.23 |
| United | MGMCD | $208.23 |
| United | MGMCD | $208.23 |
| United | MGMCD | $208.23 |
| United | MGMCD | $208.23 |
| United | MGMCD | $208.23 |
| United | MGMCD | $208.23 |
| United | MGMCD | $208.23 |
| United | MGMCD | $208.23 |
| United | MGMCD | $208.23 |
| Aetna Better Health | MGMCD | $220.48 |
| Molina Healthcare | CHIP | $222.37 |
| Molina Healthcare | STAR | $222.37 |
| Molina Healthcare | STARKIDS | $222.37 |
| Molina Healthcare | STARPLUS | $222.37 |
| Humana | MCD | $252.69 |
| United | NarrowNetworkIndivExchange | $437.25 |
| United | NarrowNetworkIndivExchange | $437.25 |
| United | NarrowNetworkIndivExchange | $437.25 |
| United | NarrowNetworkIndivExchange | $437.25 |
| United | NarrowNetworkIndivExchange | $437.25 |
| United | NarrowNetworkIndivExchange | $437.25 |
| United | NarrowNetworkIndivExchange | $437.25 |
| United | NarrowNetworkIndivExchange | $437.25 |
| BCBS | MyBlueHealth | $466.08 |
| United | AllPayerAppendix | $517.79 |
| United | SmallGroup | $517.79 |
| United | AllPayerAppendix | $517.79 |
| United | SmallGroup | $517.79 |
| United | AllPayerAppendix | $517.79 |
| United | SmallGroup | $517.79 |
| United | AllPayerAppendix | $517.79 |
| United | SmallGroup | $517.79 |
| United | AllPayerAppendix | $517.79 |
| United | SmallGroup | $517.79 |
| United | AllPayerAppendix | $517.79 |
| United | SmallGroup | $517.79 |
| United | AllPayerAppendix | $517.79 |
| United | SmallGroup | $517.79 |
| United | AllPayerAppendix | $517.79 |
| United | SmallGroup | $517.79 |
| BCBS | BAV | $577.94 |
| BCBS | HMO | $878.56 |
| BCBS | EPOSOA | $922.84 |
| Superior Health Plan | CHIP | $951.18 |
| Superior Health Plan | CHPFC | $951.18 |
| Superior Health Plan | STAR | $951.18 |
| Superior Health Plan | STARKids | $951.18 |
| Superior Health Plan | STARPLUS | $951.18 |
| Superior Health Plan | CHIP | $951.18 |
| Superior Health Plan | CHPFC | $951.18 |
| Superior Health Plan | STAR | $951.18 |
| Superior Health Plan | STARKids | $951.18 |
| Superior Health Plan | STARPLUS | $951.18 |
| BCBS | PPO | $964.79 |
| Aetna | QHPExchange | $1,210 |
| Aetna | ASAPPO | $1,301 |
| Aetna | NBHMO | $1,605 |
| Aetna | NBPOS | $1,605 |
| Aetna | NBPPO | $1,605 |
| Aetna | COMMHMO | $1,706 |
| Aetna | COMMPOS | $1,706 |
| Aetna | COMMPPO | $1,706 |
| Aetna | OONHMO | $2,007 |
| Aetna | OONPOS | $2,007 |
| Aetna | OONPPO | $2,007 |
| Cigna | CSN | $2,127 |
| Cigna | CSN | $2,127 |
| Cigna | CSN | $2,127 |
| Cigna | CSN | $2,127 |
| Cigna | CSN | $2,127 |
| Cigna | CSN | $2,127 |
| Cigna | CSN | $2,127 |
| Cigna | CSN | $2,127 |
| Aetna | ASAHMO | $2,168 |
| Aetna | ASAPOS | $2,168 |
| Cigna | OpenAccessPlus | $2,304 |
| Cigna | OpenAccessPlus | $2,304 |
| Cigna | OpenAccessPlus | $2,304 |
| Cigna | OpenAccessPlus | $2,304 |
| Cigna | OpenAccessPlus | $2,304 |
| Cigna | OpenAccessPlus | $2,304 |
| Cigna | OpenAccessPlus | $2,304 |
| Cigna | OpenAccessPlus | $2,304 |
| Texas Childrens Health Plans | CHIP | $2,631.6 |
| Texas Childrens Health Plans | CHIP | $2,631.6 |
| United | OptionsPPO | $2,663.3 |
| United | OptionsPPO | $2,663.3 |
| Cigna | PPO | $2,739 |
| Cigna | PPO | $2,739 |
| Cigna | PPO | $2,739 |
| Cigna | PPO | $2,739 |
| Cigna | PPO | $2,739 |
| Cigna | PPO | $2,739 |
| Cigna | PPO | $2,739 |
| Cigna | PPO | $2,739 |
| Humana | HMO | $2,751.54 |
| Humana | PPO | $2,751.54 |
| Humana | HMO | $2,751.54 |
| Humana | PPO | $2,751.54 |
| Humana | HMO | $2,751.54 |
| Humana | PPO | $2,751.54 |
| Humana | HMO | $2,751.54 |
| Humana | PPO | $2,751.54 |
| Humana | HMO | $2,751.54 |
| Humana | PPO | $2,751.54 |
| Humana | HMO | $2,751.54 |
| Humana | PPO | $2,751.54 |
| Texas Workforce Commission | WCOMP | $3,804.72 |
| Texas Workforce Commission | WCOMP | $3,804.72 |
| BCBS | Traditional | $5,548.55 |
| BCBS | Traditional | $5,548.55 |
| Christus (USFHP) | TRICARE | $6,341.2 |
| Christus (USFHP) | TRICARE | $6,341.2 |
| HealthSmart Preferred Care | ACCEL | $6,816.79 |
| HealthSmart Preferred Care | ACCEL | $6,816.79 |
| Fidelis SecureCare of TX | MGMCR | $7,133.85 |
| United | GlobalAppendix | $7,133.85 |
| Fidelis SecureCare of TX | MGMCR | $7,133.85 |
| United | GlobalAppendix | $7,133.85 |
| Coventry National First Health | COMM | $8,449.65 |
| Coventry National First Health | COMM | $8,449.65 |
| Physicians Cooperative of Texas | WC | $8,719.15 |
| Rockport Workers Comp | COMM | $8,719.15 |
| Physicians Cooperative of Texas | WC | $8,719.15 |
| Rockport Workers Comp | COMM | $8,719.15 |
| Beech Street | WCOMP | $9,511.8 |
| Independent Medical System | COMM | $9,511.8 |
| National Healthcare Solutions | COMM | $9,511.8 |
| SouthWest Medical | WORKERSCOMP | $9,511.8 |
| Triumph | COMM | $9,511.8 |
| Beech Street | WCOMP | $9,511.8 |
| Independent Medical System | COMM | $9,511.8 |
| National Healthcare Solutions | COMM | $9,511.8 |
| SouthWest Medical | WORKERSCOMP | $9,511.8 |
| Triumph | COMM | $9,511.8 |
| Coastal Comp | COMM | $10,304.45 |
| Coastal Comp | COMM | $10,304.45 |
| Beech Street | COMMPPO | $12,682.4 |
| Cigna Behavioral Health | COMMBH | $12,682.4 |
| Beech Street | COMMPPO | $12,682.4 |
| Cigna Behavioral Health | COMMBH | $12,682.4 |
| HealthSmart Preferred Care | PPO | $12,999.46 |
| HealthSmart Preferred Care | PPO | $12,999.46 |
| HealthSmart Preferred Care | ACCOUNTABLEPPO | $13,475.05 |
| Physicians, INC | COMM | $13,475.05 |
| HealthSmart Preferred Care | ACCOUNTABLEPPO | $13,475.05 |
| Physicians, INC | COMM | $13,475.05 |
| Affiliated PPO | COMM | $14,267.7 |
| Multiplan | COMPLEMENTARYPPO | $14,267.7 |
| Affiliated PPO | COMM | $14,267.7 |
| Multiplan | COMPLEMENTARYPPO | $14,267.7 |
Key finding: Renaissance Commercial plans pay just $174.32 at Baylor St. Luke's facilities while Beech Street plans pay up to $29,903.36 at HCA Conroe, a 172-fold difference.
How to Use This Information
- ✓ These are facility fees only. The physician's fee is billed separately.
- ✓ Contact your insurer or the hospital billing department for your specific out-of-pocket cost.
- ✓ Many hospitals offer financial assistance programs for patients who qualify.
What Patients Ask About MRI Costs
How much does a mri cost without insurance in Houston?
Cash prices for MRI without insurance in Houston vary significantly by hospital and body region scanned. For brain MRI (70551), cash prices range from Houston Methodist at $1,335.50 to HCA Conroe at $32,503.65. For lumbar spine MRI (72148), prices span from Houston Methodist at $1,056 to HCA Conroe at $26,483.22. Memorial Hermann locations charge $1,312.32-$1,929.84 depending on the scan type, while Baylor St. Luke's facilities range from $1,647.80-$4,112.66. The overall cash price range across all Houston hospitals spans $1,056 to $32,503.65. These facility fees are separate from radiologist professional fees for interpreting the images, which are billed separately by the physician.
Why is the gross charge so much higher than the cash price?
The gross charge represents the hospital's list price, but almost no one actually pays this amount. Houston Methodist shows a 50% cash discount, charging $1,335.50 cash versus a $2,671 gross charge for brain MRI. Memorial Hermann facilities offer 32% discounts, with brain MRI costing $1,312.32 cash against a $4,101 gross charge. However, HCA hospitals set cash prices equal to gross charges with no discount whatsoever. Even when hospitals offer larger percentage discounts, patients may still pay more due to higher starting gross charges. For instance, despite offering no cash discount, HCA Medical Center's $3,227.76 lumbar spine MRI cash price exceeds Memorial Hermann's $1,515.12 cash price, even though Memorial Hermann's gross charge is higher at $4,734.75.
Does insurance cover a mri?
Insurance coverage for MRI depends on your specific plan benefits and whether the procedure meets your plan's coverage criteria. Negotiated insurance rates in Houston range from $174.32 to $29,903.36, showing how dramatically coverage varies between plans and hospitals. Many insurance plans require prior authorization for non-emergency MRI studies, and some may require trying other diagnostic methods first. Patients with high-deductible health plans who have not yet met their annual deductible will owe the negotiated rate their insurance company has with the hospital, not the gross charge. Once the deductible is met, patients typically pay a percentage coinsurance or fixed copayment amount depending on their plan structure.
Are there additional fees beyond the mri facility charge?
The facility charges listed here cover only the hospital's fees for equipment, technologist, and room usage. A separate professional fee for the radiologist who interprets the MRI images is billed independently and not included in these prices. This reading fee covers the physician's time reviewing the scans and preparing the diagnostic report for your ordering doctor. If the MRI is performed in an emergency department setting, additional ER facility fees will apply beyond the imaging charges. Some patients may also incur separate fees if contrast material is administered during the procedure, though the codes analyzed here specifically cover non-contrast studies. These additional professional and ancillary fees can add several hundred dollars to the total cost.
Compare Other Procedures in Houston
Data Sources
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Heads up: source files are large
Hospital CMS transparency files typically range from tens of megabytes to several hundred megabytes. Clicking a link below will open the file in a new tab and may trigger a large download, which can consume mobile data or slow down older devices. These files are intended for data processing, not casual viewing.
Baylor St Luke's Medical Center
File updated: 2026-02-28 · Accessed by us: 2026-04-13
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Harris Health - Ben Taub Hospital
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HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake
File updated: 2026-03-01 · Accessed by us: 2026-04-13
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HCA Houston Healthcare Conroe
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HCA Houston Healthcare Kingwood
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HCA Houston Healthcare Mainland
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HCA Houston Healthcare Medical Center
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HCA Houston Healthcare North Cypress
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HCA Houston Healthcare Northwest
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HCA Houston Healthcare Pearland
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HCA Houston Healthcare Southeast
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HCA Houston Healthcare Tomball
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HCA Houston Healthcare West
File updated: 2026-03-01 · Accessed by us: 2026-04-13
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Houston Methodist Hospital
File updated: 2026-04-01 · Accessed by us: 2026-04-13
Attested by: Lisa Schillaci
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Memorial Hermann Cypress Hospital
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Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital
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Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital
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Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center
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Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital
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Memorial Hermann Pearland Hospital
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Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital
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Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital
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Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital
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Memorial Hermann, Texas Medical Center
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Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center
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St Luke's Brazosport
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St Luke's Lakeside
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St Luke's Patients Medical Center
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St Luke's Springwoods Village
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St Luke's Sugar Land
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St Luke's The Vintage
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St Luke's The Woodlands
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Texas Children's Hospital
File updated: 2026-03-05 · Accessed by us: 2026-04-13
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