Scans and imaging CPT 70551 Inpatient — admitted to hospital

MRI of the brain, no contrast dye in Eureka-Arcata, CA — inpatient

In Eureka-Arcata, CA, 2 hospitals list a cash price for MRI of the brain, no contrast dye as an inpatient: from $1,977.27 to $2,542.35, with a median of $2,259.81. The lowest listed price is at St Joseph Health Northern California LLC.

Cash prices at 2 facilities across 2 cities for code 70551, as an inpatient (admitted to hospital) . Collected Sep 23, 2026; the hospital files themselves were last updated between Apr 1, 2026 and Apr 1, 2026.

Lowest$1,977.27St Joseph Health Northern California LLC
Median$2,259.81half pay less
Highest$2,542.35in this market
Difference1.3×highest vs lowest

Where each hospital's price falls

Each dot is one hospital's cash price on a scale from the lowest to the highest in Eureka-Arcata, CA.

median
Lowest $1,977.27Highest $2,542.35

Hospitals, cheapest first

HospitalCash price List priceOff listFile date
St Joseph Health Northern California LLC lowest Fortuna, CA HC MRI BRAIN W/O DYE LIMITED $1,977.27 $3,877.00 49% Apr 1, 2026
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St Joseph Health Northern California LLC Fortuna, CA HC MRI BRAIN STEM W/O DYE $1,977.27 $3,877.00 49% Apr 1, 2026
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St Joseph Health Northern California LLC Eureka, CA HC MRI BRAIN W/O DYE LIMITED $2,542.35 $4,985.00 49% Apr 1, 2026
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St Joseph Health Northern California LLC Eureka, CA HC MRI BRAIN STEM W/O DYE $2,542.35 $4,985.00 49% Apr 1, 2026
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Inpatient: lowest $1,977.27, median $2,259.81, highest $2,542.35 — a 1.3× difference within the same market.

As an outpatient, the same code is billed by 2 facilities here, median $2,297.04 — that is the price to compare if you are not being admitted.

What it is

An MRI of the brain uses a strong magnet and radio waves, not X-rays, to make detailed pictures of the brain and brain stem. It is used to look into headaches, seizures, dizziness, numbness or other nerve symptoms. This version is done without contrast dye.

What the price covers

The hospital price usually covers the scan itself. The radiologist's interpretation is often billed separately, and sedation, if needed, is extra.