Lower back MRI cost in Chicago, IL
In Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, 61 hospitals list a cash price for MRI of the lower back, no contrast dye: from $254.00 to $6,027.87, with a median of $1,760.00. The lowest listed price is at Mercy Medical Center and 2 other hospitals — $1,506.00 less than the median here. Across Illinois, the median is $2,889.92 at 112 hospitals.
- The median here, $1,760.00, is 8% below the US median of $1,903.81.
- That is 7.2× Medicare's 2026 national rate for the same service ($243.77).
- 11 of 61 hospitals list a cash price equal to their full list price, with no self-pay discount.
Cash prices at 61 facilities across 44 cities for code 72148, as an outpatient — the setting a self-pay patient normally buys. Collected Nov 6, 2026; the hospital files themselves were last updated between Jan 1, 2025 and Nov 3, 2026.
Lowest$254.00Mercy Medical Center + 2 more
Median$1,760.00half of hospitals charge less
Highest$6,027.87in this market
Difference23.7×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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN.
median
Lowest $254.00Highest $6,027.87
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercy Medical Center lowest Aurora, IL · (630) 859-2222 MRI L-SPINE SURVEY WO CONTRAST+1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $254.00 | $5,151.00 | $127.07–$5,151.00 | 95% |
| Saint Joseph Medical Center - Joliet lowest Joliet, IL · (815) 725-7133 LUMBAR SPINE W/O CONTRAST - 72148 - 61000320+1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $254.00 | $4,778.00 | $127.07–$4,778.00 | 95% |
| Saint Francis Hospital lowest Evanston, IL · (847) 316-4000 HC MRI, LUMBAR SPINE File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $254.00 | $3,580.00 | $124.73–$2,971.40 | 93% |
| Roseland Community Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 995-3000 MRI scan of lower spinal canal without contrast File of Jul 1, 2026 · source file | $302.84 | $597.00 | $237.79–$750.00 | 49% |
| John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital Chicago, IL · (312) 864-6000 MRI LUMBAR SPINE W/O CONTRAST File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $427.00 | $610.00 | $279.62–$750.00 | 30% |
| Humboldt Park Health Chicago, IL · (773) 292-8200 MRI scan of lower spinal canal without contrast File of Sep 29, 2026 · source file | $550.66 | $1,966.65 | $600.00–$2,064.98 | 72% |
| Franciscan Health Rensselaer Rensselaer, IN · (219) 866-5141 MRI Spine Lumbar; W/O Contrast File of Jan 1, 2026 · source file | $703.11 | $1,964.00 | $457.59–$1,571.20 | 64% |
| MacNeal Hospital Berwyn, IL · (708) 783-9100 MR Scan Spine Lumb-WO/Con File of Mar 31, 2026 · source file | $783.37 | $4,123.00 | $783.37–$5,710.36 | 81% |
| Gottlieb Memorial Hospital Melrose Park, IL · (708) 681-3200 MR Scan Spine Lumb-WO/Con File of Mar 31, 2026 · source file | $783.37 | $4,123.00 | $761.00–$2,544.00 | 81% |
| Loyola University Medical Center Maywood, IL · (708) 216-9000 MR Scan Spine Lumb-WO/Con File of Mar 31, 2026 · source file | $948.29 | $4,123.00 | $234.34–$751.91 | 77% |
| Franciscan Health Munster Munster, IN · (219) 922-4200 MRI Spine Lumbar; W/O Contrast File of Jan 1, 2026 · source file | $1,028.79 | $4,830.00 | $252.44–$3,622.50 | 79% |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Glenoaks Glendale Heights, IL · (630) 545-8000 HC MRI, LUMBAR SPINE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,125.00 | $4,500.00 | — | 75% |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Bolingbrook Bolingbrook, IL · (630) 312-5000 HC MRI, LUMBAR SPINE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,125.00 | $4,500.00 | — | 75% |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Hinsdale Hinsdale, IL · (630) 856-9000 HC MRI, LUMBAR SPINE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,125.00 | $4,500.00 | — | 75% |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth La Grange La Grange, IL · (708) 352-1200 HC MRI, LUMBAR SPINE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,125.00 | $4,500.00 | — | 75% |
| Presence Saint Joseph Hospital - Chicago Chicago, IL · (773) 665-3000 HC MRI LUMBAR SPINE W/O CONT File of Jan 1, 2026 · source file | $1,181.40 | $3,580.00 | $140.84–$2,112.20 | 67% |
| Franciscan Health Crown Point Crown Point, IN · (219) 757-6100 MRI Spine Lumbar; W/O Contrast File of Jan 1, 2026 · source file | $1,246.14 | $4,830.00 | $4,830.00 | 74% |
| Advocate Christ Medical Center Oak Lawn, IL · (708) 684-8000 MR LUMBAR SPINE LTD WITHOUT DYE+1 more line at this price File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $1,260.00 | $2,520.00 | $370.75–$2,016.00 | 50% |
| Advocate Childrens Hospital Oak Lawn Oak Lawn, IL MR LUMBAR SPINE LTD WITHOUT DYE+1 more line at this price File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $1,260.00 | $2,520.00 | $370.75–$2,016.00 | 50% |
| Morris Hospital Morris, IL · (815) 942-2932 MRI scan of lower spinal canal without contrast File of Oct 27, 2026 · source file | $1,263.87 | $5,253.00 | $1,000.00–$5,410.59 | 76% |
| Franciscan Health Dyer Dyer, IN · (219) 865-2141 MRI Spine Lumbar; W/O Contrast File of Jan 1, 2026 · source file | $1,304.10 | $4,830.00 | $252.44–$3,622.50 | 73% |
| Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center Chicago, IL · (773) 975-1600 MR LUMBAR SPINE LTD WO DYE+1 more line at this price File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $1,400.00 | $2,800.00 | $370.75–$2,279.20 | 50% |
| Louis A Weiss Memorial Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 878-8700 MRI Spine Lumbar w/o Contrast+1 more line at this price File of Mar 17, 2025 · source file | $1,425.49 | $4,192.62 | $230.76–$2,725.20 | 66% |
| Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital Barrington, IL · (847) 381-9600 MR LUMBAR SPINE LTD WITHOUT DYE+3 more lines at this price File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $1,480.00 | $2,960.00 | $373.49–$2,368.00 | 50% |
| Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital Downers Grove, IL · (630) 275-5900 MR LUMBAR SPINE LTD WO DYE+3 more lines at this price File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $1,580.00 | $3,160.00 | $370.75–$2,528.00 | 50% |
| Northwest Health - Porter Valparaiso, IN · (219) 983-8300 MRI Spine Lumbar WO File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,596.51 | $5,913.00 | $222.22–$4,966.92 | 73% |
| Resilience Healthcare West Suburban Medical Center Oak Park, IL · (708) 383-6200 MRI Spine Lumbar w/o Contrast+1 more line at this price File of Mar 17, 2025 · source file | $1,597.73 | $4,699.22 | $244.41–$3,054.49 | 66% |
| Community First Medical Center Chicago, IL · (773) 282-7000 MRI scan of lower spinal canal without contrast File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,653.25 | $3,306.50 | $255.69–$3,306.50 | 50% |
| Advocate Trinity Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 967-5002 MR L SPINE WO DYE File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $1,710.00 | $3,420.00 | $370.75–$2,736.00 | 50% |
| Advocate South Suburban Hospital Hazel Crest, IL MR L SPINE WO DYE+2 more lines at this price File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $1,710.00 | $3,420.00 | $370.75–$3,331.08 | 50% |
| Advocate Childrens Hospital Park Ridge Park Ridge, IL MR LUMBAR SPINE LTD WO DYE+3 more lines at this price File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $1,760.00 | $3,520.00 | $370.75–$3,132.80 | 50% |
| Advocate Lutheran General Hospital Park Ridge, IL · (847) 723-2210 MRI LUMBAR SPINE SURVEY WO CON+3 more lines at this price File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $1,760.00 | $3,520.00 | $370.75–$3,132.80 | 50% |
| Advocate Condell Medical Center Libertyville, IL · (847) 362-2900 MR LUMBAR SPINE LTD WITHOUT DYE+3 more lines at this price File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $1,850.00 | $3,700.00 | $373.49–$2,960.00 | 50% |
| Advocate Sherman Hospital Elgin, IL · (847) 742-9800 MR L SPINE WO DYE File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $1,880.00 | $3,760.00 | $370.75–$3,384.00 | 50% |
| Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center Chicago, IL · (773) 975-1600 MR LUMBAR SPINE LTD WITHOUT DYE File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $2,200.00 | $4,400.00 | $370.75–$3,581.60 | 50% |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Skokie Hospital Skokie, IL MRI Lumbar W/O Contrast File of Jan 1, 2025 · source file | $2,540.20 | $3,908.00 | $527.58–$2,133.77 | 35% |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Glenbrook Hospital Glenview, IL MRI Lumbar W/O Contrast File of Jan 1, 2025 · source file | $2,540.20 | $3,908.00 | $527.58–$2,133.77 | 35% |
| Jackson Park Hospital Foundation Chicago, IL · (773) 947-7500 MRI LUMBAR SPINE WO CONTRAST+1 more line at this price File of Dec 26, 2025 · source file | $3,090.62 | $3,863.28 | — | 20% |
| Northwest Community Hospital Arlington Heights, IL · (847) 618-1000 Hb Mri Lumbar Spine W/O Dye File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $3,186.00 | $3,186.00 | — | — |
| Mercyhealth Hospital & Medical Center - Harvard Harvard, IL · (815) 943-5431 HC MRI LUMBAR SPINE W/O CONTRAST File of Mar 1, 2026 · source file | $3,829.81 | $5,106.41 | — | 25% |
| Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital DeKalb, IL · (815) 756-1521 HB MRI Lumbar Spine W/O Dye File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $3,837.40 | $5,482.00 | $1,003.21–$5,482.00 | 30% |
| Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital Geneva, IL · (630) 208-3000 HB MRI Lumbar Spine W/O Dye File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $3,837.40 | $5,482.00 | $816.82–$5,482.00 | 30% |
| Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital Lake Forest, IL · (847) 234-5600 HB MRI Lumbar Spine W/O Dye File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $3,837.40 | $5,482.00 | $910.01–$5,482.00 | 30% |
| Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital Winfield, IL · (630) 682-1600 HB MRI Lumbar Spine W/O Dye File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $3,837.40 | $5,482.00 | $378.26–$5,482.00 | 30% |
| Northwestern Memorial Hospital Chicago, IL · (312) 926-2000 HB MRI Lumbar Spine W/O Dye File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $3,837.40 | $5,482.00 | $1,063.51–$5,482.00 | 30% |
| Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital McHenry, IL · (815) 344-5000 HB MRI Lumbar Spine W/O Dye File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $3,837.40 | $5,482.00 | $1,058.03–$5,482.00 | 30% |
| Palos Community Hospital Palos Heights, IL · (708) 923-4000 HB MRI Lumbar Spine W/O Dye File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $3,837.40 | $5,482.00 | $877.12–$5,482.00 | 30% |
| Northwestern Medicine Valley West Hospital Sandwich, IL · (815) 786-8484 HB MRI Lumbar Spine W/O Dye File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $3,837.40 | $5,482.00 | $1,041.58–$5,482.00 | 30% |
| Swedish Covenant Health Chicago, IL · (773) 878-8200 HB MRI LUMBAR W/O CONTRAST File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $3,908.00 | $3,908.00 | — | — |
| Endeavor Health Highland Park Hospital Highland Park, IL HB MRI LUMBAR W/O CONTRAST File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $3,908.00 | $3,908.00 | — | — |
| Northshore University Healthsystem - Evanston Hospital Evanston, IL · (847) 570-2000 HB MRI LUMBAR W/O CONTRAST File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $3,908.00 | $3,908.00 | — | — |
| The Methodist Hospitals Gary, IN · (219) 886-4000 MRI Lumbar Spine W/O Cont File of Aug 18, 2026 · source file | $3,922.80 | $5,604.00 | $251.20–$5,008.64 | 30% |
| Methodist Hospital-Southlake Merrillville, IN · (219) 886-4000 MRI Lumbar Spine W/O Cont File of Aug 18, 2026 · source file | $3,922.80 | $5,604.00 | $251.20–$5,008.64 | 30% |
| Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Chicago, IL · (312) 227-4000 H MR SPINE LUMBAR NEURO WO CONT File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $4,099.20 | $5,856.00 | $995.52–$5,563.20 | 30% |
| Ingalls Memorial Hospital Harvey, IL · (708) 333-2300 Hc Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Spinal Canal And Contents, Lumbar; Without Contrast Material File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $4,535.00 | $4,535.00 | — | — |
| Uchicago Medicine Northwest Indiana Crown Point, IN · (312) 755-4706 HC MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING, SPINAL CANAL AND CONTENTS, LUMBAR; WITHOUT CONTRAST MATERIAL File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $4,535.00 | $4,535.00 | — | — |
| Edward Hospital Naperville, IL · (630) 527-3000 HC MRI LUMBAR SPINAL CANAL AND CONTENTS WITHOUT CONTRAST File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $4,705.00 | $4,705.00 | — | — |
| Elmhurst Memorial Hospital Elmhurst, IL · (331) 221-1000 HC MRI LUMBAR SPINAL CANAL AND CONTENTS WITHOUT CONTRAST File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $4,705.00 | $4,705.00 | — | — |
| Mercyhealth Crystal Lake Hospital & Medical Center Crystal Lake, IL · (792) 220-5500 HC MRI LUMBAR SPINE W/O CONTRAST File of Mar 1, 2026 · source file | $5,110.64 | $6,814.18 | — | 25% |
| The University of Chicago Medical Center Chicago, IL · (773) 702-9785 Hc Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Spinal Canal And Contents, Lumbar; Without Contrast Material File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $5,558.00 | $5,558.00 | — | — |
| Shriners Childrens - Chicago Chicago, IL · (773) 622-5400 MRI LUMBAR SPINE W/O DYE File of Mar 19, 2026 · source file | $5,888.80 | $5,888.80 | $161.72–$1,170.45 | — |
| Vista Medical Center East Waukegan, IL · (847) 360-3000 MR-LUMB SPINE WO File of Mar 31, 2025 · source file | $6,027.87 | $6,027.87 | $173.97–$1,345.00 | — |
Hospital The hospital that published the price, its city and the line exactly as written in its price file.
Cash price The hospital's own price for a patient paying without insurance (“discounted cash” in its price file). Hospitals must publish it under federal law, 45 CFR 180.50. Call to confirm it before booking. More
List price The hospital's full chargemaster price (“gross charge”) before any discount. Almost nobody pays it; the gap to the cash price shows what the self-pay discount is worth. More
Insurers pay The lowest and highest rates this hospital has agreed with insurance plans for the same item, from its price file. If the cash price is below what your plan pays and you have not met your deductible, paying cash can cost you less. More
Off list How much lower the cash price is than the list price.
At or below Medicare This cash price is at or below what Medicare pays a hospital for the same service, which is unusually low. It is what the hospital's file says; confirm it and what it includes before booking. More
No cash discount This line's cash price equals the hospital's full list price. Many hospitals still reduce bills for uninsured patients: ask the billing office for its self-pay discount in writing. More
Outpatient: lowest $254.00, median $1,760.00, highest $6,027.87 — a 23.7× difference within the same market.
As an inpatient, the same code is billed by 38 facilities here, median $1,760.00. 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 40 of 45 hospitals that publish insurer rates for this code here, the cash price is below the highest rate a health plan has negotiated, and at 2 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 lower back MRI is, what the price covers and why prices differ: Lower back MRI explained.