Scans and imaging CPT 72148 Inpatient — admitted to hospital

MRI of the lower back, no contrast dye in Ashland, OH — inpatient

In Ashland, OH, 1 hospital lists a cash price for MRI of the lower back, no contrast dye as an inpatient: from $2,854.50 to $2,854.50, with a median of $2,854.50. Across Ohio, the median is $1,309.10 at 86 hospitals.

Cash prices at 1 facility for code 72148, as an inpatient (admitted to hospital) . Collected Sep 23, 2026; the hospital files themselves were last updated between Jul 14, 2026 and Jul 14, 2026.

Lowest$2,854.50University Hospitals Health System
Median$2,854.50half pay less
Highest$2,854.50in this market
Difference1.0×highest vs lowest

Hospitals, cheapest first

HospitalCash price List priceOff listFile date
University Hospitals Health System Ashland, OH HC MRI, LUMBAR SPINE - MRI COMPLETE SPINE WO CONTRAST $2,854.50 $3,806.00 25% Jul 14, 2026
source file

Inpatient: lowest $2,854.50, median $2,854.50, highest $2,854.50.

As an outpatient, the same code is billed by 1 facility here, median $2,854.50 — that is the price to compare if you are not being admitted.

What it is

An MRI of the lower back uses a magnet and radio waves to make detailed pictures of the lumbar spine, including discs, nerves and the spinal canal. It is commonly ordered for back pain that spreads down the leg, numbness or weakness. No contrast dye is used.

What the price covers

The hospital price usually covers the scan. The radiologist's interpretation is often billed separately.