Scans and imaging CPT 72148 Inpatient — admitted to hospital

MRI of the lower back, no contrast dye in Burlington-South Burlington, VT — inpatient

In Burlington-South Burlington, VT, 1 hospital lists a cash price for MRI of the lower back, no contrast dye as an inpatient: from $909.00 to $5,367.00, with a median of $3,138.00.

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 Apr 28, 2026 and Apr 28, 2026.

Lowest$909.00University of Vermont Medical Center Inc
Median$3,138.00half pay less
Highest$5,367.00in this market
Difference5.9×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 Burlington-South Burlington, VT.

median
Lowest $909.00Highest $5,367.00

Hospitals, cheapest first

HospitalCash price List priceOff listFile date
University of Vermont Medical Center Inc lowest Burlington, VT CHG MRI SPINAL CANAL LUMBAR W/O CONTRAST MATERIAL $909.00 $909.00 Apr 28, 2026
source file
University of Vermont Medical Center Inc Burlington, VT HC - MRI SPINAL CANAL LUMBAR W/O CONTRAST MATERIAL $5,367.00 $5,367.00 Apr 28, 2026
source file

Inpatient: lowest $909.00, median $3,138.00, highest $5,367.00 — a 5.9× difference within the same market.

As an outpatient, the same code is billed by 1 facility here, median $3,138.00 — 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.