Lower back MRI cost in Forrest City, AR
In Forrest City, AR, 1 hospital lists a cash price for MRI of the lower back, no contrast dye: from $2,001.38 to $2,001.38, with a median of $2,001.38. Across Arkansas, the median is $1,136.14 at 20 hospitals.
Cash prices at 1 facility for code 72148, as an outpatient — the setting a self-pay patient normally buys. Collected Sep 27, 2026; the hospital files themselves were last updated between Sep 17, 2026 and Sep 17, 2026.
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list | File date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forrest City Arkansas Hospital Forrest City, AR · (870) 261-0000 MRI scan of lower spinal canal without contrast | $2,001.38 | $3,335.63 | $223.73–$4,836.66 | 40% | Sep 17, 2026 source file |
Outpatient: lowest $2,001.38, median $2,001.38, highest $2,001.38.
Cash or insurance?
At the one hospital here that publishes insurer rates for this code, the cash price is below the highest rate a health plan has negotiated. 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 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.