MRI of the brain, with and without contrast in South Dakota
CPT 70553 · hospital facility charge
$4,781cash price
$3,287typical commercial insurer rate
South Dakota hospitals compared
| Hospital | City | List price | Cash price | Insurers (median) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sanford Usd Medical Center | Sioux Falls | $5,976 | $4,781 | $3,287$327–$5,378 · 19 plans |
Only hospitals whose price files we've read are listed. The price is the hospital's part; the doctor (radiologist, surgeon, anesthesiologist) usually bills separately.
What it is
An MRI uses a strong magnet and radio waves, not radiation, to make detailed pictures. This exam images the brain twice, before and after a contrast dye is injected, to look for tumors, strokes, multiple sclerosis and other conditions.
What to expect
About 30 to 60 minutes lying still inside the scanner, with a small injection partway through.
What moves the bill
The hospital's charge for the scan. The radiologist who reads it bills separately. Independent imaging centers often charge much less than hospitals for the same scan.
General information, not medical advice.
Before you go
- Ask for an estimate. Hospitals must give uninsured and self-pay patients a written good-faith estimate before planned care.
- Check the network. Confirm that the hospital and the doctors are in your plan's network.
- Ask about financial help. Non-profit hospitals must have a financial assistance policy; many discount or forgive bills by income.
- Get an itemized bill. Compare it with the estimate and question anything you don't recognise.