Scans and imaging CPT 73221 Outpatient

Shoulder MRI cost in Chicago, IL

In Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, 50 hospitals list a cash price for MRI of the shoulder, elbow or wrist joint, no contrast dye: from $254.00 to $5,241.00, with a median of $2,100.03. The lowest listed price is at Mercy Medical Center and 1 other hospital — $1,846.03 less than the median here. Across Illinois, the median is $2,100.03 at 62 hospitals.

Cash prices at 50 facilities across 36 cities for code 73221, as an outpatient — the setting a self-pay patient normally buys. Collected Sep 23, 2026; the hospital files themselves were last updated between Mar 17, 2025 and Sep 1, 2026.

Lowest$254.00Mercy Medical Center + 1 more
Median$2,100.03half pay less
Highest$5,241.00in this market
Difference20.6×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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN.

median
Lowest $254.00Highest $5,603.00
one sideboth sides

Hospitals, cheapest first

HospitalCash price List priceInsurers payOff listFile date
Mercy Medical Center one side lowest Aurora, IL · (630) 859-2222 HAND LEFT W/O CONTRAST $254.00 $5,263.00 $146.28–$5,263.00 95% Sep 1, 2026
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Mercy Medical Center one side lowest Aurora, IL · (630) 859-2222 ELBOW LEFT W/O CONTRAST $254.00 $5,263.00 $146.28–$5,263.00 95% Sep 1, 2026
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Mercy Medical Center one side lowest Aurora, IL · (630) 859-2222 WRIST RIGHT W/O CONTRAST $254.00 $5,263.00 $146.28–$5,263.00 95% Sep 1, 2026
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Mercy Medical Center one side lowest Aurora, IL · (630) 859-2222 WRIST LEFT W/O CONTRAST $254.00 $5,263.00 $146.28–$5,263.00 95% Sep 1, 2026
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Saint Francis Hospital Evanston, IL · (847) 316-4000 HC MRI JOINT UPPER EXTREM WO CONTRAST $254.00 $6,325.00 $143.53–$5,249.75 96% Sep 1, 2026
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Mercy Medical Center one side lowest Aurora, IL · (630) 859-2222 ELBOW RIGHT W/O CONTRAST $254.00 $5,263.00 $146.28–$5,263.00 95% Sep 1, 2026
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Mercy Medical Center one side lowest Aurora, IL · (630) 859-2222 HAND RIGHT W/O CONTRAST $254.00 $5,263.00 $146.28–$5,263.00 95% Sep 1, 2026
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Mercy Medical Center one side lowest Aurora, IL · (630) 859-2222 SHOULDER RT W/O CONTRAST $254.00 $5,263.00 $146.28–$5,263.00 95% Sep 1, 2026
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Mercy Medical Center one side lowest Aurora, IL · (630) 859-2222 SHOULDER LT W/O CONTRAST $254.00 $5,263.00 $146.28–$5,263.00 95% Sep 1, 2026
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Roseland Community Hospital Association Chicago, IL · (773) 995-3000 MRI scan of arm joint without contrast $302.84 $597.00 $237.79–$750.00 49% Jul 1, 2026
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Humboldt Park Health Chicago, IL · (773) 292-8200 MRI scan of arm joint without contrast $475.40 $1,697.85 $1,697.85 72% Aug 24, 2026
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Gottlieb Memorial Hospital one side Melrose Park, IL · (708) 681-3200 MR Up Ext Joint W/O Con Rt $781.47 $4,113.00 $1,858.00–$2,544.00 81% Mar 31, 2026
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Gottlieb Memorial Hospital one side Melrose Park, IL · (708) 681-3200 HC MR Up Ext Joint W/O Con Lt $781.47 $4,113.00 $234.34–$808.85 81% Mar 31, 2026
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Loyola University Medical Center one side Maywood, IL · (708) 216-9000 HC MR Up Ext Joint W/O Con Lt $945.99 $4,113.00 $234.34–$808.85 77% Mar 31, 2026
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Loyola University Medical Center one side Maywood, IL · (708) 216-9000 MR Up Ext Joint W/O Con Rt $945.99 $4,113.00 $234.34–$808.85 77% Mar 31, 2026
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Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Hinsdale Hinsdale, IL · (630) 856-9000 HC MRI, JOINT UPPER EXTREM $950.00 $3,800.00 — 75% Apr 1, 2026
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Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth La Grange La Grange, IL · (708) 352-1200 HC MRI, JOINT UPPER EXTREM $950.00 $3,800.00 — 75% Apr 1, 2026
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Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Glenoaks Glendale Heights, IL · (630) 545-8000 HC MRI, JOINT UPPER EXTREM $950.00 $3,800.00 — 75% Apr 1, 2026
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Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth La Grange La Grange, IL · (708) 352-1200 HC MRI, JOINT UPPER EXTREM $950.00 $3,800.00 — 75% Apr 1, 2026
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Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Bolingbrook Bolingbrook, IL · (630) 312-5000 HC MRI, JOINT UPPER EXTREM $950.00 $3,800.00 — 75% Apr 1, 2026
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Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Glenoaks Glendale Heights, IL · (630) 545-8000 HC MRI, JOINT UPPER EXTREM $950.00 $3,800.00 — 75% Apr 1, 2026
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Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Bolingbrook Bolingbrook, IL · (630) 312-5000 HC MRI, JOINT UPPER EXTREM $950.00 $3,800.00 — 75% Apr 1, 2026
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Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Hinsdale Hinsdale, IL · (630) 856-9000 HC MRI, JOINT UPPER EXTREM $950.00 $3,800.00 — 75% Apr 1, 2026
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Advocate Christ Medical Center Oak Lawn, IL · (708) 684-8000 MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT W/O DYE $1,210.00 $2,420.00 $365.36–$1,936.00 50% Nov 4, 2025
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Advocate Childrens Hospital Oak Lawn Oak Lawn, IL MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT W/O DYE $1,210.00 $2,420.00 $365.36–$1,936.00 50% Nov 4, 2025
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Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center Chicago, IL · (773) 975-1600 MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT W/O DYE $1,350.00 $2,700.00 $365.36–$2,197.80 50% Nov 4, 2025
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Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital Barrington, IL · (847) 381-9600 MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT W/O DYE $1,425.00 $2,850.00 $365.36–$2,280.00 50% Nov 4, 2025
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Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital Downers Grove, IL · (630) 275-5900 MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT W/O DYE $1,505.00 $3,010.00 $365.36–$2,408.00 50% Nov 4, 2025
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Advocate Christ Medical Center Oak Lawn, IL · (708) 684-8000 MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT BIL WO CONTRAST $1,510.00 $3,020.00 $365.36–$2,416.00 50% Nov 4, 2025
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Advocate Childrens Hospital Oak Lawn Oak Lawn, IL MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT BIL WO CONTRAST $1,510.00 $3,020.00 $365.36–$2,416.00 50% Nov 4, 2025
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Community First Medical Center Chicago, IL · (773) 282-7000 MRI scan of arm joint without contrast $1,548.00 $3,096.00 $255.69–$3,096.00 50% Apr 1, 2026
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Advocate Trinity Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 967-5002 MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT W/O DYE $1,650.00 $3,300.00 $365.36–$2,640.00 50% Nov 4, 2025
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Advocate South Suburban Hospital Hazel Crest, IL MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT W/O DYE $1,650.00 $3,300.00 $365.36–$3,214.20 50% Nov 4, 2025
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Resilience Healthcare West Suburban Medical Center one side Oak Park, IL · (708) 383-6200 MRI Wrist w/o Contrast Right $1,676.08 $4,929.64 $244.41–$3,204.27 66% Mar 17, 2025
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Resilience Healthcare West Suburban Medical Center one side Oak Park, IL · (708) 383-6200 MRI Elbow w/o Contrast Left $1,676.08 $4,929.64 $244.41–$3,204.27 66% Mar 17, 2025
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Resilience Healthcare West Suburban Medical Center one side Oak Park, IL · (708) 383-6200 MRI Shoulder w/o Contrast Right $1,676.08 $4,929.64 $244.41–$3,204.27 66% Mar 17, 2025
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Resilience Healthcare West Suburban Medical Center one side Oak Park, IL · (708) 383-6200 MRI Upper Extremity Joint w/o Contrast Right BCE $1,676.08 $4,929.64 $244.41–$3,204.27 66% Mar 17, 2025
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Resilience Healthcare West Suburban Medical Center one side Oak Park, IL · (708) 383-6200 MRI Upper Extremity Joint w/o Contrast Left BCE $1,676.08 $4,929.64 $244.41–$3,204.27 66% Mar 17, 2025
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Resilience Healthcare West Suburban Medical Center one side Oak Park, IL · (708) 383-6200 MRI Wrist w/o Contrast Left $1,676.08 $4,929.64 $244.41–$3,204.27 66% Mar 17, 2025
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Resilience Healthcare West Suburban Medical Center one side Oak Park, IL · (708) 383-6200 MRI Elbow w/o Contrast Right $1,676.08 $4,929.64 $244.41–$3,204.27 66% Mar 17, 2025
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Resilience Healthcare West Suburban Medical Center one side Oak Park, IL · (708) 383-6200 MRI Shoulder w/o Contrast Left $1,676.08 $4,929.64 $244.41–$3,204.27 66% Mar 17, 2025
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Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center Chicago, IL · (773) 975-1600 MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT BIL WO CONTRAST $1,690.00 $3,380.00 $365.36–$2,751.32 50% Nov 4, 2025
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Advocate Childrens Hospital Park Ridge Park Ridge, IL MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT W/O DYE $1,700.00 $3,400.00 $365.36–$3,026.00 50% Nov 4, 2025
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Advocate Lutheran General Hospital Park Ridge, IL · (847) 723-2210 MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT W/O DYE $1,700.00 $3,400.00 $365.36–$3,026.00 50% Nov 4, 2025
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Advocate Condell Medical Center Libertyville, IL · (847) 362-2900 MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT W/O DYE $1,765.00 $3,530.00 $365.36–$2,824.00 50% Nov 4, 2025
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Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital Barrington, IL · (847) 381-9600 MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT BIL WO CONTRAST $1,780.00 $3,560.00 $365.36–$2,848.00 50% Nov 4, 2025
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Advocate Sherman Hospital Elgin, IL · (847) 742-9800 MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT W/O DYE $1,790.00 $3,580.00 $365.36–$3,222.00 50% Nov 4, 2025
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Louis A Weiss Memorial Hospital one side Chicago, IL · (773) 878-8700 MRI Shoulder w/o Contrast Left $1,878.04 $5,523.66 $244.41–$3,590.38 66% Mar 17, 2025
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Louis A Weiss Memorial Hospital one side Chicago, IL · (773) 878-8700 MRI Upper Extremity Joint w/o Contrast Left BCE $1,878.04 $5,523.66 $244.41–$3,590.38 66% Mar 17, 2025
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Louis A Weiss Memorial Hospital one side Chicago, IL · (773) 878-8700 MRI Wrist w/o Contrast Left $1,878.04 $5,523.66 $244.41–$3,590.38 66% Mar 17, 2025
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Louis A Weiss Memorial Hospital one side Chicago, IL · (773) 878-8700 MRI Elbow w/o Contrast Left $1,878.04 $5,523.66 $244.41–$3,590.38 66% Mar 17, 2025
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Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital Downers Grove, IL · (630) 275-5900 MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT BIL WO CONTRAST $1,880.00 $3,760.00 $365.36–$3,008.00 50% Nov 4, 2025
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Louis A Weiss Memorial Hospital one side Chicago, IL · (773) 878-8700 MRI Shoulder w/o Contrast Right $1,958.60 $5,760.59 $244.41–$3,744.38 66% Mar 17, 2025
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Louis A Weiss Memorial Hospital one side Chicago, IL · (773) 878-8700 MRI Elbow w/o Contrast Right $1,958.60 $5,760.59 $244.41–$3,744.38 66% Mar 17, 2025
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Louis A Weiss Memorial Hospital one side Chicago, IL · (773) 878-8700 MRI Wrist w/o Contrast Right $1,958.60 $5,760.59 $244.41–$3,744.38 66% Mar 17, 2025
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Louis A Weiss Memorial Hospital one side Chicago, IL · (773) 878-8700 MRI Upper Extremity Joint w/o Contrast Right BCE $1,958.60 $5,760.59 $244.41–$3,744.38 66% Mar 17, 2025
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Advocate South Suburban Hospital Hazel Crest, IL MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT BIL WO CONTRAST $2,060.00 $4,120.00 $365.36–$4,012.88 50% Nov 4, 2025
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Advocate Trinity Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 967-5002 MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT BIL WO CONTRAST $2,060.00 $4,120.00 $365.36–$3,296.00 50% Nov 4, 2025
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Presence Saint Joseph Hospital - Chicago Chicago, IL · (773) 665-3000 HC MRI UPPER EXTREMITY JOINT W/O CONT $2,087.25 $6,325.00 $160.70–$3,731.75 67% —
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Shriners Childrens - Chicago Chicago, IL · (773) 622-5400 MRI JOINT UPR EXTREM W/O DYE $2,112.80 $2,112.80 $171.55–$1,110.78 — —
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Advocate Lutheran General Hospital Park Ridge, IL · (847) 723-2210 MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT BIL WO CONTRAST $2,120.00 $4,240.00 $365.36–$3,773.60 50% Nov 4, 2025
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Advocate Childrens Hospital Park Ridge Park Ridge, IL MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT BIL WO CONTRAST $2,120.00 $4,240.00 $365.36–$3,773.60 50% Nov 4, 2025
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Advocate Condell Medical Center Libertyville, IL · (847) 362-2900 MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT BIL WO CONTRAST $2,200.00 $4,400.00 $365.36–$3,520.00 50% Nov 4, 2025
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Advocate Sherman Hospital Elgin, IL · (847) 742-9800 MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT BIL WO CONTRAST $2,230.00 $4,460.00 $365.36–$4,014.00 50% Nov 4, 2025
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NorthShore University HealthSystems Highland Park Hospital Highland Park, IL MRI Upr Ext Joint W/O Con $2,316.60 $3,564.00 $481.14–$1,945.94 35% —
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NorthShore University HealthSystems Evanston Hospital Evanson, IL · (847) 570-2000 MRI Upr Ext Joint W/O Con $2,316.60 $3,564.00 $481.14–$1,945.94 35% —
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NorthShore University HealthSystems Glenbrook Hospital Glenview, IL MRI Upr Ext Joint W/O Con $2,316.60 $3,564.00 $481.14–$1,945.94 35% —
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NorthShore University HealthSystems Skokie Hospital Skokie, IL MRI Upr Ext Joint W/O Con $2,316.60 $3,564.00 $481.14–$1,945.94 35% —
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Northwest Community Hospital Arlington Heights, IL · (847) 618-1000 Hb Mri Joint Upr Extrem W/O Dye $2,734.00 $2,734.00 — — Apr 1, 2026
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Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital McHenry, IL · (815) 344-5000 HB MRI Joint Upr Extrem W/O Dye $3,591.70 $5,131.00 $990.28–$5,131.00 30% Apr 1, 2026
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Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital DeKalb, IL · (815) 756-1521 HB MRI Joint Upr Extrem W/O Dye $3,591.70 $5,131.00 $938.97–$5,131.00 30% Apr 1, 2026
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Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital Lake Forest, IL · (847) 234-5600 HB MRI Joint Upr Extrem W/O Dye $3,591.70 $5,131.00 $851.75–$5,131.00 30% Apr 1, 2026
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Northwestern Medicine Valley West Hospital Sandwich, IL · (815) 786-8484 HB MRI Joint Upr Extrem W/O Dye $3,591.70 $5,131.00 $974.89–$5,131.00 30% Apr 1, 2026
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Northwestern Medicine Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital Wheaton, IL HB MRI Joint Upr Extrem W/O Dye $3,591.70 $5,131.00 $2,155.02–$5,131.00 30% Apr 1, 2026
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Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital Geneva, IL · (630) 208-3000 HB MRI Joint Upr Extrem W/O Dye $3,591.70 $5,131.00 $764.52–$5,131.00 30% Apr 1, 2026
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Palos Community Hospital Palos Heights, IL · (708) 923-4000 HB MRI Joint Upr Extrem W/O Dye $3,591.70 $5,131.00 $820.96–$5,131.00 30% Apr 1, 2026
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Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital Winfield, IL · (630) 682-1600 HB MRI Joint Upr Extrem W/O Dye $3,591.70 $5,131.00 $354.04–$5,131.00 30% Apr 1, 2026
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Endeavor Health Clinical Operations Highland Park, IL HB MRI UPR EXT JOINT W/O CON $3,680.00 $3,680.00 — — Apr 1, 2026
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Swedish Covenant Health Chicago, IL · (773) 878-8200 HB MRI UPR EXT JOINT W/O CON $3,680.00 $3,680.00 — — Apr 1, 2026
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Northshore University Healthsystem - Evanston Hospital Evanston, IL · (847) 570-2000 HB MRI UPR EXT JOINT W/O CON $3,680.00 $3,680.00 — — Apr 1, 2026
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Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Chicago, IL · (312) 227-4000 H MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT WO CONTRAS $3,901.80 $5,574.00 $947.58–$8,500.00 30% —
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The Methodist Hospitals one side Gary, IN · (219) 886-4000 MR Wrist Left Jt Plain $3,996.30 $5,709.00 $251.20–$5,081.01 30% —
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The Methodist Hospitals one side Gary, IN · (219) 886-4000 HC MR Shoulder Left Jt Plain $3,996.30 $5,709.00 $251.20–$5,081.01 30% —
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The Methodist Hospitals one side Gary, IN · (219) 886-4000 HC MR Elbow Left Jt Plain $3,996.30 $5,709.00 $251.20–$5,081.01 30% —
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The Methodist Hospitals one side Gary, IN · (219) 886-4000 HC MR Elbow Right Jt Plain $3,996.30 $5,709.00 $251.20–$5,081.01 30% —
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The Methodist Hospitals Gary, IN · (219) 886-4000 MRI Jt Wrist W/O Cont $3,996.30 $5,709.00 $251.20–$5,081.01 30% —
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The Methodist Hospitals Gary, IN · (219) 886-4000 MRI Jt Elbow W/O Cont $3,996.30 $5,709.00 $251.20–$5,081.01 30% —
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The Methodist Hospitals Gary, IN · (219) 886-4000 MRI Jt Shoulder W/O Cont $3,996.30 $5,709.00 $251.20–$5,081.01 30% —
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The Methodist Hospitals Merrillville, IN MRI Jt Shoulder W/O Cont $3,996.30 $5,709.00 $251.20–$5,081.01 30% —
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The Methodist Hospitals Merrillville, IN MRI Jt Elbow W/O Cont $3,996.30 $5,709.00 $251.20–$5,081.01 30% —
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The Methodist Hospitals Merrillville, IN MRI Jt Wrist W/O Cont $3,996.30 $5,709.00 $251.20–$5,081.01 30% —
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The Methodist Hospitals one side Merrillville, IN HC MR Shoulder Left Jt Plain $3,996.30 $5,709.00 $251.20–$5,081.01 30% —
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The Methodist Hospitals one side Merrillville, IN HC MR Shoulder Right Jt Plain $3,996.30 $5,709.00 $251.20–$5,081.01 30% —
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The Methodist Hospitals one side Merrillville, IN HC MR Elbow Left Jt Plain $3,996.30 $5,709.00 $251.20–$5,081.01 30% —
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The Methodist Hospitals one side Merrillville, IN HC MR Elbow Right Jt Plain $3,996.30 $5,709.00 $251.20–$5,081.01 30% —
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The Methodist Hospitals one side Merrillville, IN MR Wrist Left Jt Plain $3,996.30 $5,709.00 $251.20–$5,081.01 30% —
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The Methodist Hospitals one side Merrillville, IN MR Wrist Right Jt Plain $3,996.30 $5,709.00 $251.20–$5,081.01 30% —
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The Methodist Hospitals one side Gary, IN · (219) 886-4000 MR Wrist Right Jt Plain $3,996.30 $5,709.00 $251.20–$5,081.01 30% —
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The Methodist Hospitals one side Gary, IN · (219) 886-4000 HC MR Shoulder Right Jt Plain $3,996.30 $5,709.00 $251.20–$5,081.01 30% —
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Uchicago Medicine Northwest Indiana Crown Point, IN · (312) 755-4706 HC MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING, ANY JOINT OF UPPER EXTREMITY; WITHOUT CONTRAST MATERIAL(S) $4,307.00 $4,307.00 — — Apr 1, 2026
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Ingalls Memorial Hospital Harvey, IL · (708) 333-2300 Hc Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Any Joint Of Upper Extremity; Without Contrast Material(S) $4,307.00 $4,307.00 — — Apr 1, 2026
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Edward Hospital Naperville, IL · (630) 527-3000 HC MRI UPPER EXT ANY JOINT WITHOUT CONTRAST $4,766.00 $4,766.00 — — Apr 1, 2026
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Elmhurst Memorial Hospital Elmhurst, IL · (331) 221-1000 HC MRI UPPER EXT ANY JOINT WITHOUT CONTRAST $4,766.00 $4,766.00 — — Apr 1, 2026
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The University of Chicago Medical Center Chicago, IL · (773) 702-9785 Hc Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Any Joint Of Upper Extremity; Without Contrast Material(S) $5,241.00 $5,241.00 — — Apr 1, 2026
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Gottlieb Memorial Hospital both sides Melrose Park, IL · (708) 681-3200 HC MR Up Ext Joint W/O Con Bilat $1,172.30 $6,170.00 $1,858.00–$2,544.00 81% Mar 31, 2026
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Loyola University Medical Center both sides Maywood, IL · (708) 216-9000 HC MR Up Ext Joint W/O Con Bilat $1,419.10 $6,170.00 $234.34–$808.85 77% Mar 31, 2026
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Northwest Community Hospital both sides Arlington Heights, IL · (847) 618-1000 Hb Mri Joint Upr Extrem W/O Dye, Bilateral $5,603.00 $5,603.00 — — Apr 1, 2026
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Outpatient: lowest $254.00, median $2,100.03, highest $5,241.00 — a 20.6× 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 31 facilities here, median $1,790.00. 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 31 of 37 hospitals that publish insurer rates for this code here, the cash price is below the highest rate a health plan has negotiated, and at 2 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 it is

An MRI of an upper-limb joint makes detailed pictures of one joint, most often the shoulder, though the code also covers the elbow and wrist. It shows tendons, ligaments, cartilage and the labrum, such as a rotator cuff tear that does not show on X-rays. No contrast dye is used.

What the price covers

The hospital price usually covers the scan of one joint. The radiologist's reading is often billed separately.