Shoulder MRI cost in Chicago, IL — inpatient
In Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, 31 hospitals list a cash price for MRI of the shoulder, elbow or wrist joint, no contrast dye as an inpatient: from $950.00 to $5,241.00, with a median of $1,790.00. The lowest listed price is at Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Bolingbrook and 3 other hospitals — $840.00 less than the median here. Across Illinois, the median is $2,100.03 at 62 hospitals.
Cash prices at 31 facilities across 23 cities for code 73221, as an inpatient (admitted to hospital) . Collected Sep 23, 2026; the hospital files themselves were last updated between Mar 17, 2025 and Apr 1, 2026.
Lowest$950.00Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Bolingbrook + 3 more
Median$1,790.00half pay less
Highest$5,241.00in this market
Difference5.5×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 $950.00Highest $5,603.00
one sideboth sides
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list | File date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Bolingbrook lowest Bolingbrook, IL · (630) 312-5000 HC MRI, JOINT UPPER EXTREM | $950.00 | $3,800.00 | — | 75% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Glenoaks lowest Glendale Heights, IL · (630) 545-8000 HC MRI, JOINT UPPER EXTREM | $950.00 | $3,800.00 | — | 75% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Glenoaks lowest Glendale Heights, IL · (630) 545-8000 HC MRI, JOINT UPPER EXTREM | $950.00 | $3,800.00 | — | 75% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth La Grange lowest La Grange, IL · (708) 352-1200 HC MRI, JOINT UPPER EXTREM | $950.00 | $3,800.00 | — | 75% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Hinsdale lowest Hinsdale, IL · (630) 856-9000 HC MRI, JOINT UPPER EXTREM | $950.00 | $3,800.00 | — | 75% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Hinsdale lowest Hinsdale, IL · (630) 856-9000 HC MRI, JOINT UPPER EXTREM | $950.00 | $3,800.00 | — | 75% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth La Grange lowest La Grange, IL · (708) 352-1200 HC MRI, JOINT UPPER EXTREM | $950.00 | $3,800.00 | — | 75% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Bolingbrook lowest Bolingbrook, IL · (630) 312-5000 HC MRI, JOINT UPPER EXTREM | $950.00 | $3,800.00 | — | 75% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Advocate Christ Medical Center Oak Lawn, IL · (708) 684-8000 MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT W/O DYE | $1,210.00 | $2,420.00 | $1,057.54–$1,936.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Childrens Hospital Oak Lawn Oak Lawn, IL MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT W/O DYE | $1,210.00 | $2,420.00 | $1,057.54–$1,936.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center Chicago, IL · (773) 975-1600 MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT W/O DYE | $1,350.00 | $2,700.00 | $1,179.90–$2,160.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital Barrington, IL · (847) 381-9600 MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT W/O DYE | $1,425.00 | $2,850.00 | $1,245.45–$2,280.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital Downers Grove, IL · (630) 275-5900 MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT W/O DYE | $1,505.00 | $3,010.00 | $1,315.37–$2,408.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Childrens Hospital Oak Lawn Oak Lawn, IL MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT BIL WO CONTRAST | $1,510.00 | $3,020.00 | $1,319.74–$2,416.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Christ Medical Center Oak Lawn, IL · (708) 684-8000 MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT BIL WO CONTRAST | $1,510.00 | $3,020.00 | $1,319.74–$2,416.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate South Suburban Hospital Hazel Crest, IL MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT W/O DYE | $1,650.00 | $3,300.00 | $1,442.10–$2,640.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Trinity Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 967-5002 MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT W/O DYE | $1,650.00 | $3,300.00 | $1,442.10–$2,640.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| 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 | $3,204.27 | 66% | Mar 17, 2025 source file |
| 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 | $3,204.27 | 66% | Mar 17, 2025 source file |
| 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 | $3,204.27 | 66% | Mar 17, 2025 source file |
| 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 | $3,204.27 | 66% | Mar 17, 2025 source file |
| 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 | $3,204.27 | 66% | Mar 17, 2025 source file |
| 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 | $3,204.27 | 66% | Mar 17, 2025 source file |
| 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 | $3,204.27 | 66% | Mar 17, 2025 source file |
| 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 | $3,204.27 | 66% | Mar 17, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center Chicago, IL · (773) 975-1600 MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT BIL WO CONTRAST | $1,690.00 | $3,380.00 | $1,477.06–$2,704.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Childrens Hospital Park Ridge Park Ridge, IL MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT W/O DYE | $1,700.00 | $3,400.00 | $1,485.80–$2,720.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Lutheran General Hospital Park Ridge, IL · (847) 723-2210 MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT W/O DYE | $1,700.00 | $3,400.00 | $1,485.80–$2,720.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Condell Medical Center Libertyville, IL · (847) 362-2900 MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT W/O DYE | $1,765.00 | $3,530.00 | $1,542.61–$2,824.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital Barrington, IL · (847) 381-9600 MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT BIL WO CONTRAST | $1,780.00 | $3,560.00 | $1,555.72–$2,848.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Sherman Hospital Elgin, IL · (847) 742-9800 MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT W/O DYE | $1,790.00 | $3,580.00 | $1,564.46–$3,222.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| 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 | $3,590.38 | 66% | Mar 17, 2025 source file |
| Louis A Weiss Memorial Hospital one side Chicago, IL · (773) 878-8700 MRI Elbow w/o Contrast Left | $1,878.04 | $5,523.66 | $3,590.38 | 66% | Mar 17, 2025 source file |
| Louis A Weiss Memorial Hospital one side Chicago, IL · (773) 878-8700 MRI Wrist w/o Contrast Left | $1,878.04 | $5,523.66 | $3,590.38 | 66% | Mar 17, 2025 source file |
| Louis A Weiss Memorial Hospital one side Chicago, IL · (773) 878-8700 MRI Shoulder w/o Contrast Left | $1,878.04 | $5,523.66 | $3,590.38 | 66% | Mar 17, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital Downers Grove, IL · (630) 275-5900 MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT BIL WO CONTRAST | $1,880.00 | $3,760.00 | $1,643.12–$3,008.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| 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 | $3,744.38 | 66% | Mar 17, 2025 source file |
| Louis A Weiss Memorial Hospital one side Chicago, IL · (773) 878-8700 MRI Elbow w/o Contrast Right | $1,958.60 | $5,760.59 | $3,744.38 | 66% | Mar 17, 2025 source file |
| Louis A Weiss Memorial Hospital one side Chicago, IL · (773) 878-8700 MRI Wrist w/o Contrast Right | $1,958.60 | $5,760.59 | $3,744.38 | 66% | Mar 17, 2025 source file |
| Louis A Weiss Memorial Hospital one side Chicago, IL · (773) 878-8700 MRI Shoulder w/o Contrast Right | $1,958.60 | $5,760.59 | $3,744.38 | 66% | Mar 17, 2025 source file |
| Advocate South Suburban Hospital Hazel Crest, IL MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT BIL WO CONTRAST | $2,060.00 | $4,120.00 | $1,800.44–$3,296.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Trinity Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 967-5002 MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT BIL WO CONTRAST | $2,060.00 | $4,120.00 | $1,800.44–$3,296.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Childrens Hospital Park Ridge Park Ridge, IL MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT BIL WO CONTRAST | $2,120.00 | $4,240.00 | $1,852.88–$3,392.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Lutheran General Hospital Park Ridge, IL · (847) 723-2210 MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT BIL WO CONTRAST | $2,120.00 | $4,240.00 | $1,852.88–$3,392.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Condell Medical Center Libertyville, IL · (847) 362-2900 MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT BIL WO CONTRAST | $2,200.00 | $4,400.00 | $1,922.80–$3,520.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Sherman Hospital Elgin, IL · (847) 742-9800 MR UPPER EXTREM JOINT BIL WO CONTRAST | $2,230.00 | $4,460.00 | $1,949.02–$4,014.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Highland Park Hospital Highland Park, IL MRI Upr Ext Joint W/O Con | $2,316.60 | $3,564.00 | $580.93–$1,906.74 | 35% | — source file |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Glenbrook Hospital Glenview, IL MRI Upr Ext Joint W/O Con | $2,316.60 | $3,564.00 | $580.93–$1,906.74 | 35% | — source file |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Skokie Hospital Skokie, IL MRI Upr Ext Joint W/O Con | $2,316.60 | $3,564.00 | $580.93–$1,906.74 | 35% | — source file |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Evanston Hospital Evanson, IL · (847) 570-2000 MRI Upr Ext Joint W/O Con | $2,316.60 | $3,564.00 | $580.93–$1,906.74 | 35% | — source file |
| 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 source file |
| 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 source file |
| Endeavor Health Clinical Operations Highland Park, IL HB MRI UPR EXT JOINT W/O CON | $3,680.00 | $3,680.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| 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 source file |
| 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 | $900.00–$5,295.30 | 30% | — source file |
| 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 source file |
| 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 source file |
| Edward Hospital Naperville, IL · (630) 527-3000 HC MRI UPPER EXT ANY JOINT WITHOUT CONTRAST | $4,766.00 | $4,766.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| 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 source file |
| 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 source file |
| 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 source file |
Inpatient: lowest $950.00, median $1,790.00, highest $5,241.00 — a 5.5× difference within the same market.
Both sides : lowest $5,603.00, median $5,603.00, highest $5,603.00.
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 outpatient, the same code is billed by 50 facilities here, median $2,100.03 — that is the price to compare if you are not being admitted.
Cash or insurance?
At 14 of 18 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.