Scans and imaging CPT 72146 Outpatient

Thoracic spine MRI cost in New York, NY

In New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, 49 hospitals list a cash price for MRI of the mid back (thoracic spine), no contrast dye: from $195.00 to $6,725.61, with a median of $322.54. The lowest listed price is at Maimonides Medical Center — $127.54 less than the median here. Across New York, the median is $996.03 at 62 hospitals.

Cash prices at 49 facilities across 37 cities for code 72146, as an outpatient — the setting a self-pay patient normally buys. Collected Sep 25, 2026; the hospital files themselves were last updated between Oct 28, 2025 and Sep 5, 2026.

Lowest$195.00Maimonides Medical Center
Median$322.54half pay less
Highest$6,725.61in this market
Difference34.5×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 New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ.

median
Lowest $195.00Highest $7,700.15

Hospitals, cheapest first

HospitalCash price List priceInsurers payOff listFile date
Maimonides Medical Center lowest Brooklyn, NY · (718) 283-6000 MAGNETIC IMAGE, CHEST SPINE $195.00 $195.00 — — Apr 1, 2026
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Maimonides Medical Center lowest Brooklyn, NY · (718) 283-6000 MRI SPINAL CANAL,THORACIC W/O CONTRAST $195.00 $195.00 — — Apr 1, 2026
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St. Barnabas Hospital Bronx, NY · (212) 960-9000 CHG MRI SPINAL CANAL THORACIC W/O CONTRAST MATRL $226.44 $839.48 $154.79–$497.54 73% Feb 27, 2026
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JFK University Medical Center Edison, NJ · (732) 321-7000 MRI SPINAL CANAL THORACIC W/O CONTRAST MATRL $241.72 $4,016.00 $765.05–$3,413.60 94% Dec 31, 2025
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Ocean Medical Center Brick, NJ · (732) 840-2200 MRI SPINAL CANAL THORACIC W/O CONTRAST MATRL $241.72 $4,016.00 $765.05–$3,413.60 94% Dec 31, 2025
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New York City Health and Hospitals Jamaica, NY CHG MRI SPINAL CANAL THORACIC W/O CONTRAST MATRL $243.77 $848.00 $370.50–$735.00 71% Sep 5, 2026
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Kings County Hospital Center Brooklyn, NY · (718) 245-3901 CHG MRI SPINAL CANAL THORACIC W/O CONTRAST MATRL $243.77 $848.00 $370.50–$735.00 71% Sep 5, 2026
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Bellevue Hospital Center New York, NY · (212) 561-4132 CHG MRI SPINAL CANAL THORACIC W/O CONTRAST MATRL $243.77 $848.00 $370.50–$735.00 71% Sep 5, 2026
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Kings County Hospital Center Brooklyn, NY · (718) 245-3901 CHG MRI SPINAL CANAL THORACIC W/O CONTRAST MATRL $243.77 $848.00 $370.50–$735.00 71% Sep 5, 2026
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Newton Medical Center Newton, NJ · (973) 383-2121 MRI Spine Thor WO $264.13 $4,426.00 — 94% —
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Southern Ocean Medical Center Manahawkin, NJ · (609) 597-6011 MRI SPINAL CANAL THORACIC W/O CONTRAST MATRL $264.17 $4,329.00 $779.22–$3,957.57 94% Dec 31, 2025
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Ocean Medical Center Brick, NJ · (732) 840-2200 MRI SPINAL CANAL THORACIC W/O CONTRAST MATRL $264.17 $4,329.00 $358.53–$4,332.00 94% Dec 31, 2025
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Hmh Hospitals Red Bank, NJ MRI SPINAL CANAL THORACIC W/O CONTRAST MATRL $267.55 $4,329.00 $358.53–$4,332.00 94% Dec 31, 2025
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Hmh Hospitals Neptune City, NJ MRI SPINAL CANAL THORACIC W/O CONTRAST MATRL $267.55 $4,016.00 $358.53–$4,332.00 93% Dec 31, 2025
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Bayshore Medical Center Holmdel, NJ · (732) 739-5900 MRI SPINAL CANAL THORACIC W/O CONTRAST MATRL $267.55 $4,329.00 $267.55–$321.06 94% Dec 31, 2025
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JFK University Medical Center Edison, NJ · (732) 321-7000 MRI SPINAL CANAL THORACIC W/O CONTRAST MATRL $267.78 $4,016.00 $646.58–$3,732.07 93% Dec 31, 2025
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Raritan Bay Medical Center Perth Amboy, NJ · (732) 324-5000 MRI SPINAL CANAL THORACIC W/O CONTRAST MATRL $267.78 $4,329.00 $376.03–$4,332.00 94% Dec 31, 2025
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Hmh Hospitals Old Bridge, NJ MRI SPINAL CANAL THORACIC W/O CONTRAST MATRL $267.78 $4,329.00 $376.03–$4,332.00 94% Dec 31, 2025
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Saint Marys Hospital Passaic, NJ · (973) 365-4300 Hc Mri, Dorsal Spine $282.00 $3,544.35 $225.66–$3,012.70 92% Sep 1, 2026
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Hackensack University Medical Center Hackensack, NJ · (551) 996-2000 MRI SPINAL CANAL THORACIC W/O CONTRAST MATRL $284.66 $4,016.00 $722.88–$3,916.40 93% Dec 31, 2025
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Palisades Medical Center North Bergen, NJ · (201) 854-5000 MRI SPINAL CANAL THORACIC W/O CONTRAST MATRL $284.66 $4,329.00 $376.03–$4,332.00 93% Dec 31, 2025
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Metropolitan Hospital Center New York, NY · (212) 423-6262 HC MAGNETIC RESONANCE(EG, PROTON)IMAGING,SPINAL CANAL AND CONTEN $286.04 $1,048.60 $1.00–$1,787.00 73% Sep 5, 2026
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New York City Health and Hospitals Broadway Elmhurst, NY HC MAGNETIC RESONANCE(EG, PROTON)IMAGING,SPINAL CANAL AND CONTEN $286.04 $1,048.60 $1.00–$1,787.00 73% Sep 5, 2026
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Kings County Hospital Center Brooklyn, NY · (718) 245-3901 HC MAGNETIC RESONANCE(EG, PROTON)IMAGING,SPINAL CANAL AND CONTEN $286.04 $2,822.09 $1.00–$1,787.00 90% Sep 5, 2026
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Kings County Hospital Center Brooklyn, NY · (718) 245-3901 HC MAGNETIC RESONANCE(EG, PROTON)IMAGING,SPINAL CANAL AND CONTEN $286.04 $1,048.60 $1.00–$1,787.00 73% Sep 5, 2026
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Kings County Hospital Center Brooklyn, NY · (718) 245-3901 HC MAGNETIC RESONANCE(EG, PROTON)IMAGING,SPINAL CANAL AND CONTEN $286.04 $2,822.09 $1.00–$1,787.00 90% Sep 5, 2026
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New York City Health and Hospitals Jamaica, NY HC MAGNETIC RESONANCE(EG, PROTON)IMAGING,SPINAL CANAL AND CONTEN $286.04 $2,822.09 $1.00–$1,787.00 90% Sep 5, 2026
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Bellevue Hospital Center New York, NY · (212) 561-4132 HC MAGNETIC RESONANCE(EG, PROTON)IMAGING,SPINAL CANAL AND CONTEN $286.04 $2,822.09 $1.00–$1,787.00 90% Sep 5, 2026
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Bellevue Hospital Center New York, NY · (212) 561-4132 HC MAGNETIC RESONANCE(EG, PROTON)IMAGING,SPINAL CANAL AND CONTEN $286.04 $1,048.60 $1.00–$1,787.00 73% Sep 5, 2026
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Jacobi Medical Center Bronx, NY · (718) 918-5000 HC MAGNETIC RESONANCE(EG, PROTON)IMAGING,SPINAL CANAL AND CONTEN $286.04 $2,822.09 $1.00–$1,787.00 90% Sep 5, 2026
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Jacobi Medical Center Bronx, NY · (718) 918-5000 HC MAGNETIC RESONANCE(EG, PROTON)IMAGING,SPINAL CANAL AND CONTEN $286.04 $1,048.60 $1.00–$1,787.00 73% Sep 5, 2026
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Jacobi Medical Center Bronx, NY · (718) 918-5000 HC MAGNETIC RESONANCE(EG, PROTON)IMAGING,SPINAL CANAL AND CONTEN $286.04 $2,822.09 $1.00–$1,787.00 90% Sep 5, 2026
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University Hospital Newark, NJ · (973) 972-4300 MRI SPINAL CANAL THORACIC W/O CONTRAST MATRL $319.78 $7,024.78 $278.07–$6,673.54 95% Aug 13, 2026
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Morristown Medical Center Morristown, NJ · (973) 971-5450 MRI Spine Thor WO $322.54 $4,469.00 — 93% —
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Chilton Medical Center Pompton Plains, NJ · (973) 831-5000 MRI Spine Thor WO $322.54 $6,134.00 — 95% —
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Overlook Medical Center Summit, NJ · (908) 522-2000 MRI Spine Thor WO $322.54 $4,390.00 — 93% —
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CentraState Medical Center Freehold Township, NJ · (732) 294-7012 MRI Spine Thor WO $322.54 $753.00 — 57% —
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CentraState Medical Center Freehold Township, NJ · (732) 294-7012 MRI Spine Thor WO $322.54 $753.00 — 57% —
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Englewood Health Englewood, NJ · (201) 894-3000 MRI Spinal Canal Thoracic W/O Contrast Matrl $414.60 $4,146.00 $303.07–$3,316.80 90% Feb 2, 2026
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Memorial Hospital for Cancer and Allied Diseases Middletown, NJ MRI Spinal Canal Thoracic W/O Contrast Matrl $415.00 $415.00 $75.10–$1,067.06 — Dec 1, 2025
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Memorial Hospital for Cancer and Allied Diseases New York, NY MRI Spinal Canal Thoracic W/O Contrast Matrl $415.00 $415.00 $75.10–$1,067.06 — Dec 1, 2025
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Memorial Hospital for Cancer and Allied Diseases Basking Ridge, NJ MRI Spinal Canal Thoracic W/O Contrast Matrl $415.00 $415.00 $75.10–$1,067.06 — Dec 1, 2025
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Memorial Hospital for Cancer and Allied Diseases Basking Ridge, NJ MRI Spinal Canal Thoracic W/O Contrast Matrl|PROFESSIONAL COMPONENT $415.00 $415.00 $75.10–$373.50 — Dec 1, 2025
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Memorial Hospital for Cancer and Allied Diseases West Harrison, NY MRI Spinal Canal Thoracic W/O Contrast Matrl $415.00 $415.00 $75.10–$1,067.06 — Dec 1, 2025
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Memorial Hospital for Cancer and Allied Diseases West Harrison, NY MRI Spinal Canal Thoracic W/O Contrast Matrl|PROFESSIONAL COMPONENT $415.00 $415.00 $75.10–$406.88 — Dec 1, 2025
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Memorial Hospital for Cancer and Allied Diseases Middletown, NJ MRI Spinal Canal Thoracic W/O Contrast Matrl|PROFESSIONAL COMPONENT $415.00 $415.00 $75.10–$373.50 — Dec 1, 2025
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Memorial Hospital for Cancer and Allied Diseases New York, NY MRI Spinal Canal Thoracic W/O Contrast Matrl|PROFESSIONAL COMPONENT $415.00 $415.00 $75.10–$406.88 — Dec 1, 2025
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Newton Medical Center Newton, NJ · (973) 383-2121 MRI Spine Thor WO $590.35 $8,852.00 — 93% —
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CentraState Medical Center Freehold Township, NJ · (732) 294-7012 MRI Spine Thor WO $678.91 $8,852.00 — 92% —
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Overlook Medical Center Summit, NJ · (908) 522-2000 MRI Spine Thor WO $720.92 $8,780.00 — 92% —
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Chilton Medical Center Pompton Plains, NJ · (973) 831-5000 MRI Spine Thor WO $720.92 $15,519.00 — 95% —
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Morristown Medical Center Morristown, NJ · (973) 971-5450 MRI Spine Thor WO $720.92 $8,938.00 — 92% —
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Nassau University Medical Center East Meadow, NY · (516) 572-0123 MRI CHEST SPINE W/O DYE $738.90 $1,055.57 $187.96–$407.55 30% Oct 28, 2025
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NYU Langone Brooklyn, NY HC MRI CHEST SPINE W/O DYE $892.26 $4,696.13 $130.36–$7,651.08 81% Jan 1, 2026
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NYU Langone New York, NY · (212) 263-7300 HC MRI CHEST SPINE W/O DYE $892.26 $4,696.13 $130.36–$7,651.08 81% Jan 1, 2026
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NYU Langone New York, NY · (212) 263-7300 HC MRI CHEST SPINE W/O DYE $892.26 $4,696.13 $130.36–$7,651.08 81% Jan 1, 2026
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The Valley Hospital Paramus, NJ · (201) 447-8000 MRI THOR SP W/O CONTR $894.60 $1,491.00 $210.83–$1,118.25 40% —
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Jamaica Hospital Medical Center Jamaica, NY · (718) 262-6000 MRI CHEST SPINE W/O DYE $992.00 $992.00 $115.55–$2,456.00 — —
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Flushing Hospital Medical Center Flushing, NY · (718) 670-5000 MRI CHEST SPINE W/O DYE $992.00 $992.00 $115.55–$2,507.20 — —
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NYU Langone Mineola, NY HC MRI CHEST SPINE W/O DYE $1,453.71 $7,651.08 $130.36–$7,651.08 81% Jan 1, 2026
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NYU Langone Hospital - Suffolk Patchogue, NY · (631) 654-7100 HC MRI CHEST SPINE W/O DYE $1,453.71 $7,651.08 $130.36–$7,651.08 81% Jan 1, 2026
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Nassau University Medical Center East Meadow, NY · (516) 572-0123 Mri Spine Thoracic W/O Cntrst $1,637.39 $2,339.12 $133.47–$2,339.12 30% Oct 28, 2025
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Maimonides Medical Center Brooklyn, NY · (718) 283-6000 MRI T SPINE W/O CONTRAST $3,410.00 $3,410.00 — — Apr 1, 2026
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Mount Sinai Morningside New York, NY HC MRI Spinal Canal Thoracic W/O Contrast $3,505.50 $3,895.00 — 10% Apr 1, 2026
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Mount Sinai Behavioral Health Center New York, NY HC MRI Spinal Canal Thoracic W/O Contrast $3,505.50 $3,895.00 — 10% Apr 1, 2026
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Mount Sinai Queens Long Island, NY HC MRI Spinal Canal Thoracic W/O Contrast $3,505.50 $3,895.00 — 10% Apr 1, 2026
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Mount Sinai Brooklyn Brooklyn, NY HC MRI Spinal Canal Thoracic W/O Contrast $3,505.50 $3,895.00 — 10% Apr 1, 2026
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The Mount Sinai Hospital New York, NY · (212) 241-7981 HC MRI Spinal Canal Thoracic W/O Contrast $3,505.50 $3,895.00 — 10% Apr 1, 2026
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St Johns Episcopal Hospital Far Rockaway, NY · (718) 869-7000 MRI CHEST SPINE W/O DYE $3,650.64 $3,650.64 $247.21–$2,523.00 — —
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Memorial Hospital for Cancer and Allied Diseases West Harrison, NY HC MRI, Dorsal Spine - MRI Thoracic Spine WO Contrast $5,492.00 $5,492.00 $517.21–$4,942.80 — Dec 1, 2025
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Memorial Hospital for Cancer and Allied Diseases New York, NY HC MRI, Dorsal Spine - MRI Thoracic Spine WO Contrast $5,492.00 $5,492.00 $517.21–$4,942.80 — Dec 1, 2025
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Memorial Hospital for Cancer and Allied Diseases Middletown, NJ HC MRI, Dorsal Spine - MRI Thoracic Spine WO Contrast $5,492.00 $5,492.00 $1,719.00–$4,942.80 — Dec 1, 2025
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Memorial Hospital for Cancer and Allied Diseases Basking Ridge, NJ HC MRI, Dorsal Spine - MRI Thoracic Spine WO Contrast $5,492.00 $5,492.00 $1,719.00–$4,942.80 — Dec 1, 2025
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Stony Brook Southampton Hospital Southampton, NY MRI SCAN OF MIDDLE SPINAL CANAL WITHOUT CONTRAST $5,972.91 $5,972.91 $296.38–$2,754.00 — —
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Stony Brook University Hospital Stony Brook, NY · (631) 444-4000 MRI SCAN OF MIDDLE SPINAL CANAL WITHOUT CONTRAST $5,973.00 $5,973.00 $296.38–$4,255.00 — —
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Hudson Regional Hospital Secaucus, NJ · (201) 392-3200 MRI scan of middle spinal canal without contrast $5,978.76 $5,978.76 $368.21–$11,281.92 — Jan 19, 2026
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Stony Brook University Hospital Stony Brook, NY · (631) 444-4000 MRI CHEST SPINE W/O DYE $6,391.00 $6,391.00 $296.38–$4,255.00 — —
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St Johns Riverside Hospital Park Care Pavillion Yonkers, NY MRI CHEST SPINE W/O DYE $6,543.30 $7,698.00 $251.92–$3,641.00 15% —
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Brooklyn Hospital Center at Downtown Campus Brooklyn, NY · (718) 250-8000 MRI SCAN OF MIDDLE SPINAL CANAL WITHOUT CONTRAST $6,725.61 $6,725.61 $237.10–$3,157.00 — —
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Stony Brook Southampton Hospital Southampton, NY MRI CHEST SPINE W/O DYE $6,930.15 $6,930.15 $296.38–$2,754.00 — —
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Brooklyn Hospital Center at Downtown Campus Brooklyn, NY · (718) 250-8000 MRI CHEST SPINE W/O DYE $7,700.15 $7,700.15 $237.10–$3,157.00 — —
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Outpatient: lowest $195.00, median $322.54, highest $6,725.61 — a 34.5× difference within the same market.

As an inpatient, the same code is billed by 26 facilities here, median $415.00. Inpatient and outpatient prices are not comparable and are kept on separate pages: the inpatient charge covers admission, not the same purchase.

Cash or insurance?

At 32 of 38 hospitals that publish insurer rates for this code here, the cash price is below the highest rate a health plan has negotiated, and at 12 it is below every plan's rate. 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 thoracic spine makes detailed pictures of the middle section of the spine, between the neck and the lower back, including discs, vertebrae and the spinal cord. It is ordered for mid-back pain, suspected fractures or nerve symptoms. No contrast dye is used.

What the price covers

The hospital price usually covers the scan of the mid-back section only. The radiologist's reading is often billed separately.