Scans and imaging CPT 72148 Inpatient — admitted to hospital

MRI of the lower back, no contrast dye in Syracuse, NY — inpatient

In Syracuse, NY, 2 hospitals list a cash price for MRI of the lower back, no contrast dye as an inpatient: from $900.00 to $1,543.10, with a median of $1,221.55. The lowest listed price is at Crouse Hospital.

Cash prices at 2 facilities for code 72148, as an inpatient (admitted to hospital) . Collected Sep 22, 2026; the hospital files themselves were last updated between Mar 31, 2026 and Mar 31, 2026.

Lowest$900.00Crouse Hospital
Median$1,221.55half pay less
Highest$1,543.10in this market
Difference1.7×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 Syracuse, NY.

median
Lowest $900.00Highest $1,543.10

Hospitals, cheapest first

HospitalCash price List priceOff listFile date
Crouse Hospital lowest Syracuse, NY 72148 MRI LUMBAR SPINE WO DYE $900.00 $900.00
source file
St Josephs Hospital Health Center Syracuse, NY HC MRI Lumbar Spine W/O Contrast $1,543.10 $2,374.00 35% Mar 31, 2026
source file

Inpatient: lowest $900.00, median $1,221.55, highest $1,543.10 — a 1.7× difference within the same market.

As an outpatient, the same code is billed by 2 facilities here, median $1,221.55 — 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.