Brain MRI cost in Ruston, LA — inpatient
In Ruston, LA, 1 hospital lists a cash price for MRI of the brain, no contrast dye as an inpatient: from $2,814.07 to $2,814.07, with a median of $2,814.07. Across Louisiana, the median is $1,128.68 at 25 hospitals.
Cash prices at 1 facility for code 70551, as an inpatient (admitted to hospital) . Collected Sep 27, 2026; the hospital files themselves were last updated between Jun 19, 2026 and Jun 19, 2026.
Where each hospital's price falls
Each dot is one hospital's cash price on a scale from the lowest to the highest in Ruston, LA.
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list | File date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Louisiana Medical Center lowest Ruston, LA · (318) 254-2100 MRI BRAIN W/O CONTRAST | $2,814.07 | $5,116.50 | $382.71–$5,116.50 | 45% | Jun 19, 2026 source file |
| Northern Louisiana Medical Center lowest Ruston, LA · (318) 254-2100 MRI BRAIN STEM W/O DYE | $2,814.07 | $5,116.50 | $382.71–$5,116.50 | 45% | Jun 19, 2026 source file |
Inpatient: lowest $2,814.07, median $2,814.07, highest $2,814.07.
As an outpatient, the same code is billed by 1 facility here, median $2,814.07 — that is the price to compare if you are not being admitted.
Cash or insurance?
At the one hospital here that publishes insurer rates for this code, the cash price is below the highest rate a health plan has negotiated. If you have insurance but have not met your deductible, you usually pay your plan's negotiated rate, which falls somewhere in the "Insurers pay" column. Paying cash can cost less, but a cash payment usually does not count toward your deductible. Ask the hospital for both numbers before you book.
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.