MRI of the brain, no contrast dye in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA — inpatient
In San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA, 8 hospitals list a cash price for MRI of the brain, no contrast dye as an inpatient: from $1,773.75 to $3,036.00, with a median of $2,818.00. The lowest listed price is at UC San Diego Medical Center.
Cash prices at 8 facilities across 5 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.
Where each hospital's price falls
Each dot is one hospital's cash price on a scale from the lowest to the highest in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA.
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Off list | File date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UC San Diego Medical Center lowest San Diego, CA Mri Scan Brain | $1,773.75 | $3,225.00 | 45% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - San Diego - Clairemont Mesa San Diego, CA MRI BRAIN BRAIN STEM W/O CONTRAST MATERIAL | $2,600.00 | $5,000.00 | 48% | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - San Diego - Zion San Diego, CA MRI BRAIN BRAIN STEM W/O CONTRAST MATERIAL | $2,600.00 | $5,000.00 | 48% | — source file |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - San Marcos San Marcos, CA MRI BRAIN BRAIN STEM W/O CONTRAST MATERIAL | $2,600.00 | $5,000.00 | 48% | — source file |
| Sharp Coronado Hospital and Healthcare Center Coronado, CA HC MRI BRAIN - MRI BRAIN WO CONTRAST | $3,036.00 | $4,048.00 | 25% | — source file |
| Sharp Memorial Hospital San Diego, CA HC MRI BRAIN - MRI BRAIN WO CONTRAST | $3,036.00 | $4,048.00 | 25% | — source file |
| Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center Chula Vista, CA HC MRI BRAIN - MRI BRAIN WO CONTRAST | $3,036.00 | $4,048.00 | 25% | — source file |
| Grossmont Hospital Corporation La Mesa, CA HC MRI BRAIN - MRI BRAIN WO CONTRAST | $3,036.00 | $4,048.00 | 25% | — source file |
Inpatient: lowest $1,773.75, median $2,818.00, highest $3,036.00 — a 1.7× difference within the same market.
As an outpatient, the same code is billed by 9 facilities here, median $2,600.00 — 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.