What is the cost of an MRI of the Lumbar spine on average??
I work in a free standing imaging facility in Northern California. We charge about $1500 for a routine, four sequence MRI of the L-Spine, without contrast. If you have had certain types of back surgery, you would require a contrast injection midway through your scan, and that would raise the price. Of course, you need a doctor’s order to get any imaging study, including a MRI. But, even if your doctor gives you an order written on General Hospital’s form, you can get your MRI done at Mercy Hospital. If you have insurance, you might want to have a MRI done at a facility which is contracted with your insurance. You can find out how much that facility charges, and then call your insurance company to see how much they allow. For example, even though we charge $1500, the insurance company might only allow $900. The facility would have to write off that $600. The insurance might pay a portion of the $900, or it might all go on your deductable. The balance, after insurance payment and write o
