Lower back MRI cost in Houston, TX
In Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX, 58 hospitals list a cash price for MRI of the lower back, no contrast dye: from $231.94 to $22,879.00, with a median of $1,929.84. The lowest listed price is at Harris Health and 1 other hospital — $1,697.90 less than the median here. Across Texas, the median is $2,190.02 at 282 hospitals.
- The median here, $1,929.84, is about the same as the US median of $1,903.81.
- That is 7.9× Medicare's 2026 national rate for the same service ($243.77).
- Houston, TX has the lowest median of 4 metro areas in Texas with at least 10 hospitals pricing this code.
- 16 of 58 hospitals list a cash price equal to their full list price, with no self-pay discount.
Cash prices at 58 facilities across 22 cities for code 72148, as an outpatient — the setting a self-pay patient normally buys. Collected Nov 4, 2026; the hospital files themselves were last updated between Feb 28, 2026 and Sep 17, 2026.
Lowest$231.94Harris Health + 1 more
Median$1,929.84half of hospitals charge less
Highest$22,879.00in this market
Difference98.6×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 Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX.
median
Lowest $231.94Highest $22,879.00
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harris Health lowest Houston, TX · (713) 873-2000 MRI LUMBAR SPINE W/O CONTRAST File of Mar 24, 2026 · source file | $231.94 | $5,326.00 | $197.14–$3,461.90 | 96% |
| Harris Health lowest Taub Loop Houston, TX · (713) 873-2000 MRI LUMBAR SPINE W/O CONTRAST File of Mar 24, 2026 · source file | $231.94 | $5,326.00 | $197.14–$3,461.90 | 96% |
| Hsa St. Joseph Houston, TX · (713) 757-1000 MRI SPINE LUMBAR WO CONTR File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $235.85 | $7,832.15 | $227.60–$335.57 | 97% |
| Methodist Sugar Land Hospital Sugar Land, TX · (281) 274-8000 HC MRI LUM SPINE W/O CONTRAST File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,056.00 | $2,112.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital Nassau Bay, TX · (281) 333-5503 HC MRI LUM SPINE W/O CONTRAST File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,056.00 | $2,112.00 | — | 50% |
| The Methodist Hospital Houston, TX · (713) 790-2221 HC MRI LUM SPINE W/O CONTRAST File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,056.00 | $2,112.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist Continuing Care Hospital Katy, TX HC MRI LUM SPINE W/O CONTRAST File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,056.00 | $2,112.00 | — | 50% |
| Methodist Willowbrook Hospital Houston, TX · (281) 477-1000 HC MRI LUM SPINE W/O CONTRAST File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,056.00 | $2,112.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist Cypress Hospital Cypress, TX · (346) 618-1506 HC MRI LUM SPINE W/O CONTRAST File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,056.00 | $2,112.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital The Woodlands, TX · (936) 270-2000 HC MRI LUM SPINE W/O CONTRAST File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,056.00 | $2,112.00 | — | 50% |
| Methodist West Houston Hospital Houston, TX · (832) 522-1000 HC MRI LUM SPINE W/O CONTRAST File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,056.00 | $2,112.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital Baytown, TX · (281) 420-8600 HC MRI LUM SPINE W/O CONTRAST File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,056.00 | $2,112.00 | — | 50% |
| Voyages of Sugar Land South Sugar Land, TX MRI Lumbar Spine W/O Dye File of Aug 6, 2026 · source file | $1,058.59 | $1,058.59 | $264.65–$793.94 | — |
| Sweeny Community Hospital Sweeny, TX · (979) 548-3311 MRI scan of lower spinal canal without contrast File of Sep 8, 2026 · source file | $1,199.52 | $1,999.20 | $599.76–$1,999.20 | 40% |
| Liberty Dayton Regional Medical Center Liberty, TX · (936) 336-7316 MRI scan of lower spinal canal source file | $1,269.00 | $1,813.00 | $1,088.00–$1,722.00 | 30% |
| Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center Houston, TX · (713) 242-3000 HC MRI, LUMBAR SPINE - MRI LUMBAR SPINE WO CONTRAST File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,515.12 | $4,734.75 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital Sugar Land, TX · (281) 725-5000 HC MRI, LUMBAR SPINE - MRI LUMBAR SPINE WO CONTRAST File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,515.12 | $4,734.75 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital Katy, TX · (281) 392-1111 HC MRI, LUMBAR SPINE - MRI LUMBAR SPINE WO CONTRAST File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,515.12 | $4,734.75 | — | 68% |
| Tirr Memorial Hermann Houston, TX HC MRI, LUMBAR SPINE - MRI LUMBAR SPINE WO CONTRAST File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,515.12 | $4,734.75 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital Humble, TX · (281) 540-7700 HC MRI, LUMBAR SPINE - MRI LUMBAR SPINE WO CONTRAST File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,515.12 | $4,734.75 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital Houston, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC MRI, LUMBAR SPINE - MRI LUMBAR SPINE WO CONTRAST File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,515.12 | $4,734.75 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Pearland Hospital Pearland, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC MRI, LUMBAR SPINE - MRI LUMBAR SPINE WO CONTRAST File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,515.12 | $4,734.75 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital Houston, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC MRI, LUMBAR SPINE - MRI LUMBAR SPINE WO CONTRAST File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,515.12 | $4,734.75 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital Houston, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC MRI, LUMBAR SPINE - MRI LUMBAR SPINE WO CONTRAST File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,515.12 | $4,734.75 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center The Woodlands, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC MRI, LUMBAR SPINE - MRI LUMBAR SPINE WO CONTRAST File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,515.12 | $4,734.75 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Cypress) Cypress, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC MRI, LUMBAR SPINE - MRI LUMBAR SPINE WO CONTRAST File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,929.84 | $6,030.75 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center Houston, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC MRI, LUMBAR SPINE - MRI LUMBAR SPINE WO CONTRAST File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,929.84 | $6,030.75 | — | 68% |
| Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital Houston, TX HC MRI, LUMBAR SPINE - MRI LUMBAR SPINE WO CONTRAST File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,929.84 | $6,030.75 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Bellaire) Bellaire, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC MRI, LUMBAR SPINE - MRI LUMBAR SPINE WO CONTRAST File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,929.84 | $6,030.75 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Rockets Orthopedic Hospital Bellaire, TX HC MRI, LUMBAR SPINE - MRI LUMBAR SPINE WO CONTRAST File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,929.84 | $6,030.75 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Cypress Hospital Cypress, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC MRI, LUMBAR SPINE - MRI LUMBAR SPINE WO CONTRAST File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,929.84 | $6,030.75 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Upper Kirby) Houston, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC MRI, LUMBAR SPINE - MRI LUMBAR SPINE WO CONTRAST File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,929.84 | $6,030.75 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Texas Medical Center) Houston, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC MRI, LUMBAR SPINE - MRI LUMBAR SPINE WO CONTRAST File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,929.84 | $6,030.75 | — | 68% |
| St Luke's Patients Medical Center Pasadena, TX · (281) 487-0700 MRI LUMBAR SPINE W/O File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $2,887.45 | $8,249.85 | $187.28–$6,187.39 | 65% |
| CHI St. Luke's Health Springwood Village Spring, TX · (936) 266-4050 HC MR SPINE LUMBAR File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $3,528.70 | $10,082.00 | $174.32–$10,082.00 | 65% |
| St Luke's Lakeside Hospital The Woodlands, TX · (936) 266-4055 HC MR SPINE LUMBAR File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $3,528.70 | $10,082.00 | $174.32–$10,082.00 | 65% |
| St. Lukes Hospital at the Vintage Houston, TX · (832) 534-5000 HC MR SPINE LUMBAR File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $3,528.70 | $10,082.00 | $174.32–$10,082.00 | 65% |
| CHI St. Luke's Health Baylor College of Medicine Medical Center Houston, TX · (832) 355-1000 HC MR SPINE LUMBAR File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $3,528.70 | $10,082.00 | $174.32–$10,082.00 | 65% |
| St Luke's Sugar Land Hospital Sugar Land, TX · (281) 637-7000 HC MR SPINE LUMBAR File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $3,528.70 | $10,082.00 | $174.32–$10,082.00 | 65% |
| St Luke's the Woodlands Hospital The Woodlands, TX · (936) 266-4050 HC MR SPINE LUMBAR File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $3,528.70 | $10,082.00 | $174.32–$10,082.00 | 65% |
| Texas Children's Hospital Houston, TX · (832) 824-1000 TC MR, SPINE LUMBAR W/O CONTRAST+2 more lines at this price File of Mar 5, 2026 · source file | $3,694.38 | $5,514.00 | $197.14–$5,238.30 | 33% |
| The Community Hospital of Brazosport Lake Jackson, TX · (979) 297-4411 MRI-SPINE LUMBAR W/O CONTRAST File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $4,112.66 | $11,750.45 | $199.14–$5,875.23 | 65% |
| Elite Hospital Kingwood Kingwood, TX · (832) 777-6165 Magnetic resonance (eg proton) imaging spinal canal and contents lumbar; without contrast material File of Sep 17, 2026 · source file | $4,322.43 | $8,644.85 | $406.13–$541.50 | 50% |
| Shriners Childrens Texas Galveston, TX · (409) 770-6600 MRI LUMBAR SPINE W/O DYE File of Mar 18, 2026 · source file | $5,143.70 | $5,143.70 | $161.72–$604.30 | — |
| Cornerstone Hospital Conroe Conroe, TX MRI LUMBAR SPINE WO CONTRAST File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $7,622.00 | $7,622.00 | — | — |
| The Womans Hospital of Texas Houston, TX · (713) 790-1234 MRI L-SPINE W/O CONT+1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $10,080.14 | $10,080.14 | $203.12–$8,568.12 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Pearland Houston, TX · (713) 770-7000 Magnetic resonance (eg, proton) imaging, spinal canal and contents, lumbar; without contrast material +1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $13,110.77 | $13,110.77 | $203.12–$11,144.15 | — |
| Texas Orthopedic Hospital Houston, TX · (713) 799-8600 Magnetic resonance (eg, proton) imaging, spinal canal and contents, lumbar; without contrast material +1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $13,437.52 | $13,437.52 | $203.12–$12,093.77 | — |
| HCA Houston Mainland Texas City, TX · (281) 332-2511 Magnetic resonance (eg, proton) imaging, spinal canal and contents, lumbar; without contrast material +1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $14,794.04 | $14,794.04 | $203.12–$13,314.64 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake Alvin, TX · (281) 332-2511 Magnetic resonance (eg, proton) imaging, spinal canal and contents, lumbar; without contrast material +1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $14,794.04 | $14,794.04 | $203.12–$13,314.64 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Southeast Pasadena, TX · (713) 359-1000 Magnetic resonance (eg, proton) imaging, spinal canal and contents, lumbar; without contrast material +1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $17,958.70 | $17,958.70 | $203.12–$16,162.83 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Medical Center Houston, TX · (713) 527-5019 MRI L-SPINE W/O CONT+1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $18,235.34 | $18,235.34 | $203.12–$15,500.04 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Tomball Houston, TX · (281) 351-7500 Magnetic resonance (eg, proton) imaging, spinal canal and contents, lumbar; without contrast material +1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $19,070.09 | $19,070.09 | $203.12–$16,209.58 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Kingwood Humble, TX · (281) 359-7500 MRI L-SPINE W/O CONT File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $19,475.21 | $19,475.21 | $1,168.51–$17,527.69 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare North Cypress Houston, TX · (281) 359-7500 MRI L-SPINE W/O CONT File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $19,475.21 | $19,475.21 | $1,168.51–$16,553.93 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare West Houston, TX · (281) 588-8080 MRI L-SPINE W/O CONT File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $19,795.00 | $19,795.00 | $1,187.70–$17,815.50 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Northwest Houston, TX · (281) 440-1000 MRI L-SPINE W/O CONT+1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $21,149.92 | $21,149.92 | $203.12–$17,977.43 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Conroe Conroe, TX · (936) 539-1111 MRI L-SPINE W/O CONT+1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $22,879.00 | $22,879.00 | $203.12–$20,591.10 | — |
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 $231.94, median $1,929.84, highest $22,879.00 — a 98.6× difference within the same market.
As an inpatient, the same code is billed by 41 facilities here, median $1,515.12. 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 14 of 30 hospitals that publish insurer rates for this code here, the cash price is below the highest rate a health plan has negotiated, and at none is it 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.