MRI of the brain, without contrast in California
CPT 70551 · hospital facility charge
Cash prices range from $913 to $20,680 at the 16 California hospitals whose price files we have read so far.
California typical cash price: $3,186
California hospitals compared
| Hospital | City | List price | Cash price | Insurers (median) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scripps Memorial Hospital - Encinitas | Encinitas | $3,652 | $913 | $632$250–$1,614 · 79 plans |
| Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla | La Jolla | $3,652 | $913 | $632$264–$1,391 · 79 plans |
| University of California Davis Medical Center | Sacramento | $5,018 | $2,007 | $470$146–$470 · 23 plans |
| El Camino Health | Mountain View | $10,432 | $2,608 | – |
| Grossmont Hospital | La Mesa | $4,048 | $3,036 | $2,362$1,202–$3,238 · 24 plans |
| Sharp Memorial Hospital | San Diego | $4,048 | $3,036 | $2,651$2,070–$3,206 · 13 plans |
| Mercy Medical Center Redding | Redding | $6,212 | $3,121 | $2,191$518–$5,988 · 13 plans |
| Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley | Pleasanton | $8,129 | $3,252 | $4,294$2,039–$4,294 · 3 plans |
| Uci Health-Lakewood | Lakewood | $10,723 | $4,289 | $476$451–$687 · 5 plans |
| Uci Health-Orange | Orange | $10,723 | $4,289 | $476$451–$687 · 5 plans |
| Stanford Health Care | Stanford | $11,744 | $4,698 | – |
| Southern California Hospital at Hollywood | Hollywood | $6,670 | $6,670 | $363$118–$4,696 · 27 plans |
| Los Robles Hospital & Medical Center | Thousand Oaks | $7,641 | $7,641 | $3,438$331–$7,106 · 25 plans |
| Good Samaritan Hospital | San Jose | $20,680 | $20,680 | $9,306$456–$16,544 · 29 plans |
| Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian | Newport Beach | – | – | $503$360–$1,508 · 4 plans |
| Ronald Reagan Ucla Medical Center | Los Angeles | – | – | $416$283–$760 · 9 plans |
Common questions
How much does MRI of the brain, without contrast cost at a hospital in California?
At 14 California hospitals that publish a cash price, the typical price for MRI of the brain, without contrast is $3,186, and most charge between $1,241 and $7,350. The typical rate commercial insurers have negotiated is $632. These are hospital prices; independent clinics, imaging centers and labs often charge less.
Is it cheaper to pay cash or use insurance for MRI of the brain, without contrast?
At 1 of the 12 hospitals in California that publish both, the cash price is lower than the typical insurer rate. Remember that with insurance you pay only your share of that rate once your deductible is met, and that cash payments usually don't count toward your deductible.
Which hospital in California has the lowest cash price for MRI of the brain, without contrast?
Of the hospitals whose price files we have read, the lowest published cash price is $913 at Scripps Memorial Hospital - Encinitas. Confirm the price with the hospital before you book.
Does the price include the doctor?
No. These are the hospital's own charges, often called the facility fee. The doctors involved, such as the surgeon, the anesthesiologist or the radiologist who reads a scan, usually send a separate bill.
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.