Lower back X-ray cost in Iowa
In Iowa, 86 hospitals publish a cash price for X-ray of the lower back (lumbar spine), 2 or 3 views: from $114.00 to $737.00, with a median of $276.60. The lowest price is at St Anthony Regional Hospital and Nursing Home (Carroll). The highest price is 6.5× the lowest.
- The median here, $276.60, is 9% below the US median of $303.00.
- That is 2.6× Medicare's 2026 national rate for the same service ($106.81).
- Iowa ranks 21st of 51 states by median, cheapest first.
- 10 of 86 hospitals list a cash price equal to their full list price, with no self-pay discount.
Outpatient cash prices, one line per hospital — its lowest listed price for code 72100. Prices for both sides of the body and inpatient prices are not mixed in. Collected Nov 7, 2026. See them on a map
Lowest$114.00St Anthony Regional Hospital and Nursing Home
Median$276.60half of hospitals charge less
Highest$737.00in Iowa
Lowest saves$162.60vs the median
Hospitals in Iowa, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | File date |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Anthony Regional Hospital and Nursing Home lowest Carroll · Carroll, IA X-ray of lower and sacral spine, 2-3 views | $114.00 | $114.00 | Nov 3, 2026 source file |
| Allen Hospital Waterloo · Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA HC LUMBOSACR SPINE 2 OR 3 VIEWS | $114.54 | $143.17 | Nov 4, 2026 source file |
| UnityPoint Health Marshalltown Marshalltown · Marshalltown, IA HC LUMBOSACR SPINE 2 OR 3 VIEWS | $114.54 | $143.17 | Nov 4, 2026 source file |
| Orange City Municipal Hospital Orange City · Orange City, IA X-ray of lower and sacral spine, 2-3 views | $119.20 | $149.00 | Sep 23, 2026 source file |
| Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital Council Bluffs · Omaha, NE-IA SP Exam | $128.70 | $429.00 | Feb 15, 2026 source file |
| Cherokee Regional Medical Center Cherokee · Cherokee, IA HC LUMBOSACR SPINE 2 OR 3 VIEWS | $135.00 | $150.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Van Diest Medical Center Webster City · Webster City, IA XR Spine Lumbosacral 2 or 3 Views | $140.80 | $176.00 | Feb 5, 2026 source file |
| Monroe County Hospital Albia · Albia, IA X-ray of lower and sacral spine, 2-3 views | $143.40 | $239.00 | Sep 9, 2026 source file |
| Manning Regional Healthcare Center Manning · Carroll, IA X-ray of lower and sacral spine, 2-3 views | $164.15 | $245.00 | Oct 16, 2026 source file |
| Grundy County Memorial Hospital Grundy Center · Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA HC LUMBOSACR SPINE 2 OR 3 VIEWS | $171.20 | $214.00 | Jun 29, 2026 source file |
| Humboldt County Memorial Hospital Humboldt · Humboldt, IA HC LUMBOSACR SPINE 2 OR 3 VIEWS | $180.90 | $201.00 | Mar 30, 2026 source file |
| WinnMed Decorah · Decorah, IA X-ray of lower and sacral spine, 2-3 views | $181.30 | $259.00 | Oct 13, 2026 source file |
| Floyd County Memorial Hospital Commission Charles City · Charles City, IA X-ray of lower and sacral spine, 2-3 views | $183.54 | $458.86 | Sep 30, 2026 source file |
| Sioux Center Health Sioux Center · Sioux Center, IA | $191.09 | $197.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Keokuk County Health Center Sigourney · Sigourney, IA XR L-SPINE | $191.80 | $274.00 | Mar 16, 2026 source file |
| Jefferson County Hospital Fairfield · Fairfield, IA X-ray of lower and sacral spine, 2-3 views | $193.20 | $322.00 | Aug 20, 2026 source file |
| Washington County Hospital Washington · Iowa City, IA X-ray of lower and sacral spine, 2-3 views | $194.25 | $259.00 | Oct 20, 2026 source file |
| Cass County Memorial Hospital Atlantic · Atlantic, IA X-ray of lower and sacral spine, 2-3 views | $195.30 | $279.00 | Jun 1, 2026 source file |
| Veterans Memorial Hospital City of Waukon Ia Waukon · Waukon, IA X-ray of lower and sacral spine, 2-3 views | $200.07 | $351.00 | Oct 8, 2026 source file |
| Buena Vista Regional Medical Center Storm Lake · Storm Lake, IA HC LUMBOSACR SPINE 2 OR 3 VIEWS | $200.80 | $251.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Loring Hospital Sac City · Sac City, IA HC LUMBOSACR SPINE 2 OR 3 VIEWS | $203.20 | $254.00 | Aug 25, 2026 source file |
| Shelby County Chris A Myrtue Memorial Hospital Harlan · Harlan, IA X-ray of lower and sacral spine, 2-3 views | $203.58 | $351.00 | Apr 21, 2026 source file |
| Dallas County Hospital Perry · Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA XR L-SPINE 2-3 VIEWS | $204.00 | $314.00 | May 29, 2026 source file |
| Community Memorial Hospital Medical Center Sumner · Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA HC LUMBOSACR SPINE 2 OR 3 VIEWS | $216.63 | $270.79 | Jun 18, 2026 source file |
| Spencer Municipal Hospital Spencer · Spencer, IA X-Ray Lumbosacral 2-3 Views | $222.75 | $297.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Hawarden Regional Healthcare Harwarden · Harwarden, IA XR L-spine 2 or 3 vw | $225.25 | $265.00 | Apr 24, 2026 source file |
| Clarinda Regional Health Center Clarinda · Clarinda, IA X-ray of lower and sacral spine, 2-3 views | $226.50 | $302.00 | Oct 23, 2026 source file |
| Iowa Specialty Hospital-Clarion Clarion · Clarion, IA X-ray of lower and sacral spine, 2-3 views | $231.00 | $385.00 | Jun 11, 2026 source file |
| MercyOne Genesis Davenport West Medical Center Davenport · Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL Spine Lumbar Routine 2 or 3 Vws | $235.20 | $392.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Decatur County Hospital Leon · Leon, IA X-ray of lower and sacral spine, 2-3 views | $236.00 | $295.00 | Mar 4, 2026 source file |
| Greene County Medical Center Jefferson · Jefferson, IA HC LUMBOSACR SPINE 2 OR 3 VIEWS | $236.32 | $422.00 | Mar 26, 2026 source file |
| Belmond Community Hospital Belmond · Belmond, IA X-ray of lower and sacral spine, 2-3 views | $237.60 | $396.00 | Apr 22, 2026 source file |
| Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hospital and Clinic West Union · West Union, IA HCHG 72100 SPINE LUMBAR (ROUT) 2-3VWS | $237.60 | $400.00 | Jun 27, 2026 source file |
| Story County Hospital Nevada · Ames, IA HC LUMBOSACR SPINE 2 OR 3 VIEWS | $240.80 | $301.00 | Mar 30, 2026 source file |
| Shenandoah Medical Center Shenandoah · Shenandoah, IA X-ray of lower and sacral spine, 2-3 views | $242.45 | $373.00 | Sep 21, 2026 source file |
| Stewart Memorial Community Hospital Lake City · Lake City, IA LUMBOSACR SPINE 2 OR 3 VIEWS | $248.00 | $311.00 | Oct 8, 2024 source file |
| The Finley Hospital Dubuque · Dubuque, IA HC LUMBOSACR SPINE 2 OR 3 VIEWS | $251.95 | $314.93 | Nov 4, 2026 source file |
| St Lukes Regional Medical Center Sioux City · Sioux City, IA-NE-SD HC LUMBOSACR SPINE 2 OR 3 VIEWS | $262.26 | $327.82 | Nov 4, 2026 source file |
| Wayne County Hospital Corydon · Corydon, IA X-ray of lower and sacral spine, 2-3 views | $264.00 | $264.00 | Jun 10, 2026 source file |
| Rawford County Memorial Hospital Denison · Denison, IA X-ray of lower and sacral spine, 2-3 views | $268.00 | $335.00 | Jul 27, 2026 source file |
| Audubon County Memorial Hospital Audubon · Audubon, IA X-ray of lower and sacral spine, 2-3 views | $270.00 | $270.00 | Sep 14, 2026 source file |
| Alegent Health - Mercy Hospital, Corning Iowa Corning · Corning, IA HC LUMBAR SPINE 2 OR 3V | $272.70 | $606.00 | Sep 30, 2026 source file |
| Pocahontas Community Hospital Pocahontas · Pocahontas, IA HC LUMBOSACR SPINE 2 OR 3 VIEWS | $276.00 | $276.00 | Mar 29, 2026 source file |
| Van Buren County Hospital Keosauqua · Keosauqua, IA X-ray of lower and sacral spine, 2-3 views | $277.20 | $396.00 | Jul 20, 2026 source file |
| Virginia Gay Hospital Vinton · Cedar Rapids, IA X-ray of lower and sacral spine, 2-3 views | $284.80 | $356.00 | Aug 13, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Medical Center - New Hampton New Hampton · New Hampton, IA HC Xr Lumbosacral Spine 2-3 Views | $286.00 | $440.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| MercyOne Dyersville Medical Center Dyersville · Dubuque, IA HC Xr Lumbosacral Spine 2-3 Views | $286.00 | $440.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| MercyOne Elkader Medical Center Elkader · Elkader, IA HC Xr Lumbosacral Spine 2-3 Views | $286.00 | $440.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| MercyOne Newton Medical Center Newton · Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA HC Xr Lumbosacral Spine 2-3 Views | $286.00 | $440.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| MercyOne Oelwein Medical Center Oelwein · Oelwein, IA HC Xr Lumbosacral Spine 2-3 Views | $286.00 | $440.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Lakes Regional Hospital Spirit Lake · Spirit Lake, IA | $287.85 | $303.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Palo Alto County Hospital Emmetsburg · Emmetsburg, IA Radiologic examination, spine, lumbosacral; 2 or 3 views | $288.00 | $384.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Hansen Family Hospital Iowa Falls · Iowa Falls, IA X-ray of lower and sacral spine, 2-3 views | $291.00 | $291.00 | Jul 10, 2026 source file |
| Kossuth Regional Health Center Algona · Algona, IA X-ray of lower and sacral spine, 2-3 views | $291.20 | $364.00 | Jul 16, 2026 source file |
| Franklin General Hospital Hampton · Hampton, IA X-ray of lower and sacral spine, 2-3 views | $294.30 | $327.00 | Nov 3, 2026 source file |
| Avera Merrill Pioneer Rock Rapids · Rock Rapids, IA | $294.88 | $304.00 | — source file |
| Hancock County Health System Britt · Britt, IA X-ray of lower and sacral spine, 2-3 views | $297.00 | $396.00 | Oct 20, 2026 source file |
| UnityPoint Health - Jones Regional Medical Center Anamosa · Cedar Rapids, IA HC LUMBOSACR SPINE 2 OR 3 VIEWS | $298.21 | $372.76 | Jan 28, 2026 source file |
| Guttenberg Municipal Hospital Guttenberg · Guttenberg, IA HC LUMBOSACR SPINE 2 OR 3 VIEWS | $301.60 | $377.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Alegent Health Community Memorial Hospital of Missouri Valley, Iowa Missouri Valley · Omaha, NE-IA HC LUMBAR SPINE 2 OR 3V | $303.00 | $606.00 | Sep 30, 2026 source file |
| Regional Medical Center Manchester · Manchester, IA X-RAY EXAM L-S SPINE 2/3 VWS | $303.20 | $379.00 | Feb 20, 2026 source file |
| Adair County Memorial Hospital Greenfield · Greenfield, IA X-ray of lower and sacral spine, 2-3 views | $303.75 | $405.00 | Sep 2, 2026 source file |
| Boone County Hospital Boone · Ames, IA X-ray of lower and sacral spine, 2-3 views | $305.73 | $382.16 | Jul 27, 2026 source file |
| Guthrie County Hospital Guthrie Center · Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA X-ray of lower and sacral spine, 2-3 views | $306.00 | $306.00 | Sep 26, 2026 source file |
| MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center Mason City · Mason City, IA HC Xr Lumbosacral Spine 2-3 Views | $312.00 | $480.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| CHI Health Mercy Council Bluffs Council Bluffs · Omaha, NE-IA HC LUMBAR SPINE 2 OR 3V | $318.63 | $741.00 | Sep 30, 2026 source file |
| Broadlawns Medical Center Des Moines · Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA X-Ray Exam Of Lower Spine | $321.00 | $321.00 | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Trinity Regional Medical Center Fort Dodge · Fort Dodge, IA HC LUMBOSACR SPINE 2 OR 3 VIEWS | $338.08 | $422.59 | Nov 4, 2026 source file |
| Grinnell Regional Medical Center Grinnell · Grinnell, IA HC LUMBOSACR SPINE 2 OR 3 VIEWS | $348.03 | $435.03 | Nov 4, 2026 source file |
| Madison County Memorial Hospital Winterset · Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA X-ray of lower and sacral spine, 2-3 views | $353.60 | $442.00 | Oct 21, 2026 source file |
| MercyOne Waterloo Medical Center Waterloo · Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA HC Xr Lumbosacral Spine 2-3 Views | $368.55 | $567.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Sanford Sheldon Medical Center Sheldon · Sheldon, IA RAD EXAM SPINE LUMB 2 OR 3 VWS | $414.40 | $518.00 | Mar 4, 2026 source file |
| MercyOne Clinton Medical Center Clinton · Clinton, IA HC Xr Lumbosacral Spine 2-3 Views | $418.60 | $644.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| St Luke's Methodist Hospital Cedar Rapids · Cedar Rapids, IA HC LUMBOSACR SPINE 2 OR 3 VIEWS | $421.53 | $526.91 | Jan 28, 2026 source file |
| MercyOne Dubuque Medical Center Dubuque · Dubuque, IA HC Xr Lumbosacral Spine 2-3 Views | $430.95 | $663.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| MercyOne Centerville Medical Center Centerville · Centerville, IA HC Xr Lumbosacral Spine 2-3 Views | $440.00 | $440.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Avera Holy Family Hospital Estherville · Estherville, IA | $453.96 | $468.00 | — source file |
| UnityPoint Health - Des Moines Iowa Methodist Medical Des Moines · Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA HC LUMBOSACR SPINE 2 OR 3 VIEWS | $470.42 | $588.02 | Nov 4, 2026 source file |
| MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center Des Moines · Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA HC Xr Lumbosacral Spine 2-3 Views | $479.05 | $737.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| University of Iowa Health Care Medical Center Down Iowa City · Iowa City, IA HB LUMBAR SPINE 2 OR 3 VIEWS | $497.00 | $710.00 | Mar 11, 2026 source file |
| University of Iowa Hospital & Clinics Iowa City · Iowa City, IA HB LUMBAR SPINE 2 OR 3 VIEWS | $497.00 | $710.00 | Mar 11, 2026 source file |
| Trinity - Bettendorf Bettendorf · Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL HC LUMBOSACR SPINE 2 OR 3 VIEWS | $529.65 | $662.06 | Nov 4, 2026 source file |
| Unity Healthcare Muscatine · Muscatine, IA HC LUMBOSACR SPINE 2 OR 3 VIEWS | $529.65 | $662.06 | Nov 4, 2026 source file |
| Sartori Memorial Hospital Cedar Falls · Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA HC Xr Lumbosacral Spine 2-3 Views | $559.65 | $861.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Jackson County Regional Health Center Maquoketa · Maquoketa, IA SPINE LUMBAR ROUTINE 2 OR 3 VWS | $564.00 | $564.00 | Aug 11, 2026 source file |
| MercyOne West Des Moines Medical Center West Des Moines · Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA HC Xr Lumbosacral Spine 2-3 Views | $737.00 | $737.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
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
File date When the hospital last updated its price file, as the file says itself. A dash means the file gives no date.
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
By metro area
Each metro page compares every listing, including prices for both sides of the body.
| Metro area | Hospitals | Lowest | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | 8 | $204.00 | $337.30 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | 5 | $114.54 | $216.63 |
| Dubuque, IA | 3 | $251.95 | $286.00 |
| Iowa City, IA | 3 | $194.25 | $497.00 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | 3 | $128.70 | $303.00 |
| Ames, IA | 2 | $240.80 | $273.26 |
| Carroll, IA | 2 | $114.00 | $139.08 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 2 | $284.80 | $291.50 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 2 | $235.20 | $382.42 |
| Albia, IA | 1 | $143.40 | $143.40 |
| Algona, IA | 1 | $291.20 | $291.20 |
| Atlantic, IA | 1 | $195.30 | $195.30 |
| Audubon, IA | 1 | $270.00 | $270.00 |
| Belmond, IA | 1 | $237.60 | $237.60 |
| Britt, IA | 1 | $297.00 | $297.00 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 1 | $421.53 | $421.53 |
| Centerville, IA | 1 | $440.00 | $440.00 |
| Charles City, IA | 1 | $183.54 | $183.54 |
| Cherokee, IA | 1 | $135.00 | $135.00 |
| Clarinda, IA | 1 | $226.50 | $226.50 |
| Clarion, IA | 1 | $231.00 | $231.00 |
| Corning, IA | 1 | $272.70 | $272.70 |
| Corydon, IA | 1 | $264.00 | $264.00 |
| Clinton, IA | 1 | $418.60 | $418.60 |
| Decorah, IA | 1 | $181.30 | $181.30 |
| Denison, IA | 1 | $268.00 | $268.00 |
| Elkader, IA | 1 | $286.00 | $286.00 |
| Emmetsburg, IA | 1 | $288.00 | $288.00 |
| Estherville, IA | 1 | $453.96 | $453.96 |
| Fairfield, IA | 1 | $193.20 | $193.20 |
| Fort Dodge, IA | 1 | $338.08 | $338.08 |
| Greenfield, IA | 1 | $303.75 | $303.75 |
| Grinnell, IA | 1 | $348.03 | $348.03 |
| Guttenberg, IA | 1 | $301.60 | $301.60 |
| Hampton, IA | 1 | $294.30 | $294.30 |
| Harlan, IA | 1 | $203.58 | $203.58 |
| Harwarden, IA | 1 | $225.25 | $225.25 |
| Humboldt, IA | 1 | $180.90 | $180.90 |
| Iowa Falls, IA | 1 | $291.00 | $291.00 |
| Jefferson, IA | 1 | $236.32 | $236.32 |
| Keosauqua, IA | 1 | $277.20 | $277.20 |
| Lake City, IA | 1 | $248.00 | $248.00 |
| Leon, IA | 1 | $236.00 | $236.00 |
| Manchester, IA | 1 | $303.20 | $303.20 |
| Maquoketa, IA | 1 | $564.00 | $564.00 |
| Marshalltown, IA | 1 | $114.54 | $114.54 |
| Mason City, IA | 1 | $312.00 | $312.00 |
| Muscatine, IA | 1 | $529.65 | $529.65 |
| New Hampton, IA | 1 | $286.00 | $286.00 |
| Oelwein, IA | 1 | $286.00 | $286.00 |
| Orange City, IA | 1 | $119.20 | $119.20 |
| Pocahontas, IA | 1 | $276.00 | $276.00 |
| Rock Rapids, IA | 1 | $294.88 | $294.88 |
| Sac City, IA | 1 | $203.20 | $203.20 |
| Sheldon, IA | 1 | $414.40 | $414.40 |
| Shenandoah, IA | 1 | $242.45 | $242.45 |
| Sigourney, IA | 1 | $191.80 | $191.80 |
| Sioux Center, IA | 1 | $191.09 | $191.09 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | 1 | $262.26 | $262.26 |
| Spencer, IA | 1 | $222.75 | $222.75 |
| Spirit Lake, IA | 1 | $287.85 | $287.85 |
| Storm Lake, IA | 1 | $200.80 | $200.80 |
| Waukon, IA | 1 | $200.07 | $200.07 |
| Webster City, IA | 1 | $140.80 | $140.80 |
| West Union, IA | 1 | $237.60 | $237.60 |
Market A metro area (as the Census Bureau defines it) or, outside metro areas, a town. Each links to every hospital price there.
Hospitals How many hospitals publish a cash price for this code here. Each hospital counts once, at its lowest outpatient cash price.
Lowest The lowest cash price among those hospitals.
Median The middle cash price: half of the hospitals charge less, half charge more. One price per hospital. More
What lower back X-ray is, what the price covers and why prices differ: Lower back X-ray explained.
X-ray of the lower back (lumbar spine), 2 or 3 views in other states
- Alabama$201.67
- Alaska$513.02
- Arizona$192.43
- Arkansas$127.17
- California$471.04
- Colorado$361.68
- Connecticut$384.01
- Delaware$343.80
- District of Columbia$400.96, 3 hospitals
- Florida$691.60
- Georgia$341.64
- Hawaii$281.40
- Idaho$301.60
- Illinois$445.80
- Indiana$251.36
- Kansas$271.20
- Kentucky$337.51
- Louisiana$152.18
- Maine$241.55
- Maryland$223.52
- Massachusetts$368.90
- Michigan$214.00
- Minnesota$255.50
- Mississippi$140.80
- Missouri$291.38
- Montana$253.13
- Nebraska$436.75
- Nevada$450.00
- New Hampshire$303.56
- New Jersey$130.16
- New Mexico$310.60
- New York$275.16
- North Carolina$301.35
- North Dakota$193.00
- Ohio$322.55
- Oklahoma$211.66
- Oregon$319.90
- Pennsylvania$364.35
- Puerto Rico$81.50
- Rhode Island$274.00
- South Carolina$350.00
- South Dakota$401.39
- Tennessee$174.01
- Texas$443.92
- Utah$615.52
- Vermont$664.09
- Virginia$366.50
- Washington$370.62
- West Virginia$217.03
- Wisconsin$291.20
- Wyoming$327.18
Median cash price across the state's hospitals.