Shoulder MRI cost in Chicago, IL
In Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, 62 hospitals list a cash price for MRI of the shoulder, elbow or wrist joint, no contrast dye: from $254.00 to $6,027.87, with a median of $1,864.02. The lowest listed price is at Mercy Medical Center and 2 other hospitals — $1,610.02 less than the median here. Across Illinois, the median is $2,811.72 at 109 hospitals.
- The median here, $1,864.02, is about the same as the US median of $1,850.73.
- That is 7.6× Medicare's 2026 national rate for the same service ($243.77).
- 11 of 62 hospitals list a cash price equal to their full list price, with no self-pay discount.
Cash prices at 62 facilities across 44 cities for code 73221, as an outpatient — the setting a self-pay patient normally buys. Collected Nov 10, 2026; the hospital files themselves were last updated between Jan 1, 2025 and Nov 6, 2026.
Lowest$254.00Mercy Medical Center + 2 more
Median$1,864.02half 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
one sideboth sides
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercy Medical Center one side lowest Aurora, IL · (630) 859-2222 HAND RIGHT W/O CONTRAST+7 more lines at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $254.00 | $5,263.00 | $146.28–$5,263.00 | 95% |
| Saint Francis Hospital Evanston, IL · (847) 316-4000 HC MRI JOINT UPPER EXTREM WO CONTRAST File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $254.00 | $6,325.00 | $143.53–$5,249.75 | 96% |
| Saint Joseph Medical Center - Joliet one side lowest Joliet, IL · (815) 725-7133 HAND LEFT W/O CONTRAST+7 more lines at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $254.00 | $3,868.00 | $78.76–$3,868.00 | 93% |
| Saint Joseph Medical Center - Joliet Joliet, IL · (815) 725-7133 MRI ANY JT UPP EXT WO CON MATR File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $254.00 | $440.00 | $78.76–$3,868.00 | 42% |
| Roseland Community Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 995-3000 MRI scan of arm joint without contrast File of Jul 1, 2026 · source file | $302.84 | $597.00 | $237.79–$750.00 | 49% |
| John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital one side Chicago, IL · (312) 864-6000 MRI UPR EXT JNT W/O CON RT +1 more line at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $427.00 | $610.00 | $215.43–$750.00 | 30% |
| Humboldt Park Health Chicago, IL · (773) 292-8200 MRI scan of arm joint without contrast File of Sep 29, 2026 · source file | $475.40 | $1,697.85 | $600.00–$1,782.74 | 72% |
| Humboldt Park Health one side Chicago, IL · (773) 292-8200 MRI scan of arm joint without contrast File of Sep 29, 2026 · source file | $524.44 | $1,873.00 | $600.00–$1,966.65 | 72% |
| Franciscan Health Rensselaer Rensselaer, IN · (219) 866-5141 MRI Upper Extremity Jnt; W/O Contrast File of Jan 1, 2026 · source file | $703.11 | $1,964.00 | $491.00–$1,571.20 | 64% |
| Humboldt Park Health one side Chicago, IL · (773) 292-8200 MRI scan of arm joint without contrast File of Sep 29, 2026 · source file | $737.54 | $2,634.07 | $600.00–$2,765.77 | 72% |
| Gottlieb Memorial Hospital one side Melrose Park, IL · (708) 681-3200 MR Up Ext Joint W/O Con Rt+1 more line at this price File of Mar 31, 2026 · source file | $781.47 | $4,113.00 | $234.34–$2,544.00 | 81% |
| MacNeal Hospital one side Berwyn, IL · (708) 783-9100 HC MR Up Ext Joint W/O Con Lt+1 more line at this price File of Mar 31, 2026 · source file | $781.47 | $4,113.00 | $781.47–$5,696.51 | 81% |
| Loyola University Medical Center one side Maywood, IL · (708) 216-9000 MR Up Ext Joint W/O Con Rt+1 more line at this price File of Mar 31, 2026 · source file | $945.99 | $4,113.00 | $234.34–$808.85 | 77% |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Glenoaks Glendale Heights, IL · (630) 545-8000 HC MRI, JOINT UPPER EXTREM File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $950.00 | $3,800.00 | — | 75% |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Hinsdale Hinsdale, IL · (630) 856-9000 HC MRI, JOINT UPPER EXTREM File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $950.00 | $3,800.00 | — | 75% |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Bolingbrook Bolingbrook, IL · (630) 312-5000 HC MRI, JOINT UPPER EXTREM File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $950.00 | $3,800.00 | — | 75% |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth La Grange La Grange, IL · (708) 352-1200 HC MRI, JOINT UPPER EXTREM File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $950.00 | $3,800.00 | — | 75% |
| Franciscan Health Munster Munster, IN · (219) 922-4200 MRI Upper Extremity Jnt; W/O Contrast File of Jan 1, 2026 · source file | $1,028.79 | $4,830.00 | $252.44–$3,622.50 | 79% |
| Morris Hospital one side Morris, IL · (815) 942-2932 MRI scan of arm joint without contrast+1 more line at this price File of Oct 27, 2026 · source file | $1,118.07 | $4,647.00 | $1,000.00–$4,786.41 | 76% |
| Franciscan Health Crown Point Crown Point, IN · (219) 757-6100 MRI Upper Extremity Jnt; W/O Contrast File of Jan 1, 2026 · source file | $1,246.14 | $4,830.00 | $4,830.00 | 74% |
| Advocate Childrens Hospital Oak Lawn Oak Lawn, IL MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT W/O DYE File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $1,260.00 | $2,520.00 | $370.75–$2,016.00 | 50% |
| Advocate Christ Medical Center Oak Lawn, IL · (708) 684-8000 MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT W/O DYE File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $1,260.00 | $2,520.00 | $370.75–$2,016.00 | 50% |
| Franciscan Health Dyer Dyer, IN · (219) 865-2141 MRI Upper Extremity Jnt; W/O Contrast File of Jan 1, 2026 · source file | $1,304.10 | $4,830.00 | $252.44–$3,622.50 | 73% |
| Northwest Health - Porter one side Valparaiso, IN · (219) 983-8300 MRI Shoulder Left WO+5 more lines at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,392.12 | $5,156.00 | $222.07–$4,331.04 | 73% |
| Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center Chicago, IL · (773) 975-1600 MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT W/O DYE File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $1,400.00 | $2,800.00 | $370.75–$2,279.20 | 50% |
| Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital Barrington, IL · (847) 381-9600 MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT W/O DYE File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $1,480.00 | $2,960.00 | $373.49–$2,368.00 | 50% |
| Community First Medical Center Chicago, IL · (773) 282-7000 MRI scan of arm joint without contrast File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,548.00 | $3,096.00 | $255.69–$3,096.00 | 50% |
| Advocate Childrens Hospital Oak Lawn Oak Lawn, IL MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT BIL WO CONTRAST File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $1,570.00 | $3,140.00 | $370.75–$2,512.00 | 50% |
| Advocate Christ Medical Center Oak Lawn, IL · (708) 684-8000 MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT BIL WO CONTRAST File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $1,570.00 | $3,140.00 | $370.75–$2,512.00 | 50% |
| Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital Downers Grove, IL · (630) 275-5900 MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT W/O DYE File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $1,580.00 | $3,160.00 | $370.75–$2,528.00 | 50% |
| Resilience Healthcare West Suburban Medical Center one side Oak Park, IL · (708) 383-6200 MRI Shoulder w/o Contrast Right+7 more lines at this price File of Mar 17, 2025 · source file | $1,676.08 | $4,929.64 | $244.41–$3,204.27 | 66% |
| Advocate South Suburban Hospital Hazel Crest, IL MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT W/O DYE File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $1,710.00 | $3,420.00 | $370.75–$3,331.08 | 50% |
| Advocate Trinity Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 967-5002 MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT W/O DYE File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $1,710.00 | $3,420.00 | $370.75–$2,736.00 | 50% |
| Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center Chicago, IL · (773) 975-1600 MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT BIL WO CONTRAST File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $1,750.00 | $3,500.00 | $370.75–$2,849.00 | 50% |
| Advocate Lutheran General Hospital Park Ridge, IL · (847) 723-2210 MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT W/O DYE File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $1,760.00 | $3,520.00 | $370.75–$3,132.80 | 50% |
| Advocate Childrens Hospital Park Ridge Park Ridge, IL MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT W/O DYE File of Nov 6, 2026 · source file | $1,760.00 | $3,520.00 | $370.75–$3,132.80 | 50% |
| Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital Barrington, IL · (847) 381-9600 MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT BIL WO CONTRAST File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $1,850.00 | $3,700.00 | $373.49–$2,960.00 | 50% |
| Advocate Condell Medical Center Libertyville, IL · (847) 362-2900 MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT W/O DYE File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $1,850.00 | $3,700.00 | $373.49–$2,960.00 | 50% |
| Louis A Weiss Memorial Hospital one side Chicago, IL · (773) 878-8700 MRI Elbow w/o Contrast Left+3 more lines at this price File of Mar 17, 2025 · source file | $1,878.04 | $5,523.66 | $244.41–$3,590.38 | 66% |
| Advocate Sherman Hospital Elgin, IL · (847) 742-9800 MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT W/O DYE File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $1,880.00 | $3,760.00 | $370.75–$3,384.00 | 50% |
| Louis A Weiss Memorial Hospital one side Chicago, IL · (773) 878-8700 MRI Wrist w/o Contrast Right+3 more lines at this price File of Mar 17, 2025 · source file | $1,958.60 | $5,760.59 | $244.41–$3,744.38 | 66% |
| Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital Downers Grove, IL · (630) 275-5900 MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT BIL WO CONTRAST File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $1,970.00 | $3,940.00 | $370.75–$3,152.00 | 50% |
| Presence Saint Joseph Hospital - Chicago Chicago, IL · (773) 665-3000 HC MRI UPPER EXTREMITY JOINT W/O CONT File of Jan 1, 2026 · source file | $2,087.25 | $6,325.00 | $160.70–$3,731.75 | 67% |
| Shriners Childrens - Chicago Chicago, IL · (773) 622-5400 MRI JOINT UPR EXTREM W/O DYE File of Mar 19, 2026 · source file | $2,112.80 | $2,112.80 | $171.55–$1,110.78 | — |
| Advocate South Suburban Hospital Hazel Crest, IL MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT BIL WO CONTRAST File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $2,140.00 | $4,280.00 | $370.75–$4,168.72 | 50% |
| Advocate Trinity Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 967-5002 MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT BIL WO CONTRAST File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $2,140.00 | $4,280.00 | $370.75–$3,424.00 | 50% |
| Advocate Lutheran General Hospital Park Ridge, IL · (847) 723-2210 MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT BIL WO CONTRAST File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $2,200.00 | $4,400.00 | $370.75–$3,916.00 | 50% |
| Advocate Childrens Hospital Park Ridge Park Ridge, IL MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT BIL WO CONTRAST File of Nov 6, 2026 · source file | $2,200.00 | $4,400.00 | $370.75–$3,916.00 | 50% |
| Advocate Condell Medical Center Libertyville, IL · (847) 362-2900 MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT BIL WO CONTRAST File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $2,310.00 | $4,620.00 | $373.49–$3,696.00 | 50% |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Skokie Hospital Skokie, IL MRI Upr Ext Joint W/O Con File of Jan 1, 2025 · source file | $2,316.60 | $3,564.00 | $481.14–$1,945.94 | 35% |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Glenbrook Hospital Glenview, IL MRI Upr Ext Joint W/O Con File of Jan 1, 2025 · source file | $2,316.60 | $3,564.00 | $481.14–$1,945.94 | 35% |
| Advocate Sherman Hospital Elgin, IL · (847) 742-9800 MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT BIL WO CONTRAST File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $2,350.00 | $4,700.00 | $370.75–$4,230.00 | 50% |
| Loretto Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 626-4300 MRI UPPER EXT JOINT W/O File of Nov 5, 2026 · source file | $2,529.50 | $4,215.83 | $106.03–$4,215.83 | 40% |
| Loretto Hospital one side Chicago, IL · (773) 626-4300 MR UE joint LT wo con+1 more line at this price File of Nov 5, 2026 · source file | $2,529.50 | $4,215.83 | $106.03–$4,215.83 | 40% |
| Northwest Community Hospital Arlington Heights, IL · (847) 618-1000 Hb Mri Joint Upr Extrem W/O Dye File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $2,734.00 | $2,734.00 | — | — |
| Jackson Park Hospital Foundation one side Chicago, IL · (773) 947-7500 MRI SHOULDER RT WO CONTRAST+5 more lines at this price File of Dec 26, 2025 · source file | $2,874.26 | $3,592.83 | — | 20% |
| Mercyhealth Hospital & Medical Center - Harvard Harvard, IL · (815) 943-5431 HC MRI EXT UPPER, JOINT WO CON File of Mar 1, 2026 · source file | $3,549.68 | $4,732.90 | — | 25% |
| Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital Lake Forest, IL · (847) 234-5600 HB MRI Joint Upr Extrem W/O Dye File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $3,591.70 | $5,131.00 | $851.75–$5,131.00 | 30% |
| Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital DeKalb, IL · (815) 756-1521 HB MRI Joint Upr Extrem W/O Dye File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $3,591.70 | $5,131.00 | $938.97–$5,131.00 | 30% |
| Palos Community Hospital Palos Heights, IL · (708) 923-4000 HB MRI Joint Upr Extrem W/O Dye File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $3,591.70 | $5,131.00 | $820.96–$5,131.00 | 30% |
| Northwestern Medicine Valley West Hospital Sandwich, IL · (815) 786-8484 HB MRI Joint Upr Extrem W/O Dye File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $3,591.70 | $5,131.00 | $974.89–$5,131.00 | 30% |
| Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital Geneva, IL · (630) 208-3000 HB MRI Joint Upr Extrem W/O Dye File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $3,591.70 | $5,131.00 | $764.52–$5,131.00 | 30% |
| Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital McHenry, IL · (815) 344-5000 HB MRI Joint Upr Extrem W/O Dye File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $3,591.70 | $5,131.00 | $990.28–$5,131.00 | 30% |
| Northwestern Memorial Hospital Chicago, IL · (312) 926-2000 HB MRI Joint Upr Extrem W/O Dye File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $3,591.70 | $5,131.00 | $995.41–$5,131.00 | 30% |
| Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital Winfield, IL · (630) 682-1600 HB MRI Joint Upr Extrem W/O Dye File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $3,591.70 | $5,131.00 | $354.04–$5,131.00 | 30% |
| Endeavor Health Highland Park Hospital Highland Park, IL HB MRI UPR EXT JOINT W/O CON File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $3,680.00 | $3,680.00 | — | — |
| Northshore University Healthsystem - Evanston Hospital Evanston, IL · (847) 570-2000 HB MRI UPR EXT JOINT W/O CON File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $3,680.00 | $3,680.00 | — | — |
| Swedish Covenant Health Chicago, IL · (773) 878-8200 HB MRI UPR EXT JOINT W/O CON File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $3,680.00 | $3,680.00 | — | — |
| Methodist Hospital-Southlake one side Merrillville, IN · (219) 886-4000 MR Wrist Left Jt Plain+5 more lines at this price File of Aug 18, 2026 · source file | $3,996.30 | $5,709.00 | $251.20–$5,081.01 | 30% |
| The Methodist Hospitals one side Gary, IN · (219) 886-4000 HC MR Shoulder Left Jt Plain+5 more lines at this price File of Aug 18, 2026 · source file | $3,996.30 | $5,709.00 | $251.20–$5,081.01 | 30% |
| The Methodist Hospitals Gary, IN · (219) 886-4000 MRI Jt Elbow W/O Cont+2 more lines at this price File of Aug 18, 2026 · source file | $3,996.30 | $5,709.00 | $251.20–$5,081.01 | 30% |
| Methodist Hospital-Southlake Merrillville, IN · (219) 886-4000 MRI Jt Shoulder W/O Cont+2 more lines at this price File of Aug 18, 2026 · source file | $3,996.30 | $5,709.00 | $251.20–$5,081.01 | 30% |
| Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Chicago, IL · (312) 227-4000 H MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT WO CONTRAS File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $4,055.80 | $5,794.00 | $984.98–$5,504.30 | 30% |
| Ingalls Memorial Hospital Harvey, IL · (708) 333-2300 Hc Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Any Joint Of Upper Extremity; Without Contrast Material(S) File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $4,307.00 | $4,307.00 | — | — |
| Uchicago Medicine Northwest Indiana Crown Point, IN · (312) 755-4706 HC MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING, ANY JOINT OF UPPER EXTREMITY; WITHOUT CONTRAST MATERIAL(S) File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $4,307.00 | $4,307.00 | — | — |
| Mercyhealth Crystal Lake Hospital & Medical Center Crystal Lake, IL · (792) 220-5500 HC MRI EXT UPPER, JOINT WO CON File of Mar 1, 2026 · source file | $4,746.92 | $6,329.23 | — | 25% |
| Elmhurst Memorial Hospital Elmhurst, IL · (331) 221-1000 HC MRI UPPER EXT ANY JOINT WITHOUT CONTRAST File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $4,766.00 | $4,766.00 | — | — |
| Edward Hospital Naperville, IL · (630) 527-3000 HC MRI UPPER EXT ANY JOINT WITHOUT CONTRAST File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $4,766.00 | $4,766.00 | — | — |
| The University of Chicago Medical Center Chicago, IL · (773) 702-9785 Hc Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Any Joint Of Upper Extremity; Without Contrast Material(S) File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $5,241.00 | $5,241.00 | — | — |
| Vista Medical Center East Waukegan, IL · (847) 360-3000 MR-UPPER JOINT WO File of Mar 31, 2025 · source file | $6,027.87 | $6,027.87 | $198.56–$1,347.01 | — |
| Gottlieb Memorial Hospital both sides Melrose Park, IL · (708) 681-3200 HC MR Up Ext Joint W/O Con Bilat File of Mar 31, 2026 · source file | $1,172.30 | $6,170.00 | $1,858.00–$2,544.00 | 81% |
| MacNeal Hospital both sides Berwyn, IL · (708) 783-9100 HC MR Up Ext Joint W/O Con Bilat File of Mar 31, 2026 · source file | $1,172.30 | $6,170.00 | $43.34–$1,151.72 | 81% |
| Loyola University Medical Center both sides Maywood, IL · (708) 216-9000 HC MR Up Ext Joint W/O Con Bilat File of Mar 31, 2026 · source file | $1,419.10 | $6,170.00 | $234.34–$808.85 | 77% |
| Mercyhealth Hospital & Medical Center - Harvard both sides Harvard, IL · (815) 943-5431 HC MRI EXT UPPER, JOINT WO CON BILATERAL File of Mar 1, 2026 · source file | $2,662.26 | $3,549.68 | — | 25% |
| Northwest Community Hospital both sides Arlington Heights, IL · (847) 618-1000 Hb Mri Joint Upr Extrem W/O Dye, Bilateral File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $5,603.00 | $5,603.00 | — | — |
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 $1,864.02, highest $6,027.87 — a 23.7× difference within the same market.
Both sides : lowest $1,172.30, median $1,419.10, highest $5,603.00 — a 4.8× difference within the same market.
The two groups are not comparable and are not averaged together: a
price for both sides of the body covers twice the work. Merging them is how a single
published "median" ends up far above what one side actually costs.
As an inpatient, the same code is billed by 39 facilities here, median $1,850.00. 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 41 of 46 hospitals that publish insurer rates for this code here, the cash price is below the highest rate a health plan has negotiated, and at 3 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 shoulder MRI is, what the price covers and why prices differ: Shoulder MRI explained.