US Health Care Costs

MRI of the brain, without contrast in Illinois

CPT 70551 · hospital facility charge

Cash prices range from $1,260 to $4,841 at the 9 Illinois hospitals whose price files we have read so far.

Estimate what you would pay

$3,380typical cash price
$1,591typical commercial insurer rate
$1.3k–$4.8kcash price range, 9 hospitals
Cash price by hospital, lowest first
Advocate Christ Hospital & Medical Center
$1,260
Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital
$1,580
Advocate Lutheran General Hospital
$1,760
Advocate Condell Medical Center
$1,850
Saint Francis Medical Center
$3,380
Northwestern Medicine McHenry
$3,887
Northwestern Memorial Hospital
$3,887
Memorial Medical Center
$4,012
Carle Foundation Hospital
$4,841

Illinois typical cash price: $3,380

Illinois hospitals compared

HospitalCityList priceCash priceInsurers (median)
Advocate Christ Hospital & Medical CenterOak Lawn$2,520$1,260$1,521$1,060–$1,837 · 15 plans
Advocate Good Samaritan HospitalDowners Grove$3,160$1,580$1,556$1,074–$2,471 · 15 plans
Advocate Lutheran General HospitalPark Ridge$3,520$1,760$1,542$1,074–$2,730 · 15 plans
Advocate Condell Medical CenterLibertyville$3,700$1,850$1,591$1,074–$2,723 · 15 plans
Saint Francis Medical CenterPeoria$5,633$3,380$151$151–$726 · 3 plans
Northwestern Medicine McHenryMcHenry$5,553$3,887$2,715$1,882–$4,415 · 22 plans
Northwestern Memorial HospitalChicago$5,553$3,887$3,887$1,533–$5,553 · 33 plans
Memorial Medical CenterSpringfield$4,012$4,012$2,407$893–$3,230 · 40 plans
Carle Foundation HospitalUrbana$4,841$4,841$3,173$2,796–$3,906 · 10 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.

Common questions

How much does MRI of the brain, without contrast cost at a hospital in Illinois?

At 9 Illinois hospitals that publish a cash price, the typical price for MRI of the brain, without contrast is $3,380, and most charge between $1,516 and $4,178. The typical rate commercial insurers have negotiated is $1,591. 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 9 hospitals in Illinois 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 Illinois 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 $1,260 at Advocate Christ Hospital & Medical Center. 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.

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