Scans and imaging CPT 72148 Inpatient — admitted to hospital

Lower back MRI cost in Lake Havasu City, AZ — inpatient

In Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ, 1 hospital lists a cash price for MRI of the lower back, no contrast dye as an inpatient: from $3,932.64 to $3,932.64, with a median of $3,932.64. Across Arizona, the median is $1,564.68 at 49 hospitals.

Cash prices at 1 facility for code 72148, as an inpatient (admitted to hospital) . Collected Sep 27, 2026; the hospital files themselves were last updated between Apr 1, 2026 and Apr 1, 2026.

Lowest$3,932.64Western Arizona Regional Medical Center
Median$3,932.64half pay less
Highest$3,932.64in this market
Difference1.0×highest vs lowest

Hospitals, cheapest first

HospitalCash price List priceInsurers payOff listFile date
Western Arizona Regional Medical Center Bullhead City, AZ · (928) 763-2273 MR-LUMB SPINE WO $3,932.64 $18,726.87 $3,745.37–$16,854.18 79% Apr 1, 2026
source file

Inpatient: lowest $3,932.64, median $3,932.64, highest $3,932.64.

As an outpatient, the same code is billed by 4 facilities here, median $3,986.84 — that is the price to compare if you are not being admitted.

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.