Thoracic spine MRI cost in Minnesota
In Minnesota, 85 hospitals publish a cash price for MRI of the mid back (thoracic spine), no contrast dye: from $222.56 to $4,317.46, with a median of $2,002.00. The lowest price is at Methodist Hospital (St. Louis Park). The highest price is 19.4× the lowest.
- The median here, $2,002.00, is 4% above the US median of $1,920.00.
- That is 8.2× Medicare's 2026 national rate for the same service ($243.77).
- Minnesota ranks 29th of 51 states by median, cheapest first.
- 4 of 85 hospitals list a cash price equal to their full list price, with no self-pay discount.
Minnesota law (Minn. Stat. §144.589): a hospital may not charge an uninsured patient whose household income is under $125,000 more than the lowest amount it would be paid for the same service by a private insurer, counting the insured patient's share. If the cash price below is higher, ask the billing office to apply this limit. Each hospital's page here shows the range of insurer rates in its own file (the "Insurers pay" column), a starting point when you ask. Other states' laws.
Outpatient cash prices, one line per hospital — its lowest listed price for code 72146. Prices for both sides of the body and inpatient prices are not mixed in. Collected Nov 11, 2026. See them on a map
Lowest$222.56Methodist Hospital
Median$2,002.00half of hospitals charge less
Highest$4,317.46in Minnesota
Lowest saves$1,779.44vs the median
Hospitals in Minnesota, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | File date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Methodist Hospital lowest St. Louis Park · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI Thoracic MRI | $222.56 | $856.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Abbott Northwestern Hospital Minneapolis · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI HCHG RAD MRI SPINE THORACIC WO LIMITED | $411.26 | $856.80 | Jun 16, 2026 source file |
| Allina United Hospital St. Paul · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI HCHG RAD MRI SPINE THORACIC WO LIMITED | $411.26 | $856.80 | Jun 16, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Hospital Coon Rapids · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI HCHG RAD MRI SPINE THORACIC WO LIMITED | $411.26 | $856.80 | Jun 17, 2026 source file |
| Fairview Bethesda Hospital St. Paul · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI HC MRI THORACIC SPINE W/O CONTRAST | $722.21 | $1,801.00 | Jan 29, 2026 source file |
| Fairview Lakes Health Services Wyoming · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI HC MRI THORACIC SPINE W/O CONTRAST | $722.21 | $1,801.00 | Feb 5, 2026 source file |
| Fairview Northland Regional Hospital Princeton · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI HC MRI THORACIC SPINE W/O CONTRAST | $722.21 | $1,801.00 | Jan 29, 2026 source file |
| M Health Fairview Southdale Hospital Edina · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI HC MRI THORACIC SPINE W/O CONTRAST | $722.21 | $1,801.00 | Feb 6, 2026 source file |
| M Health Fairview St. John's Hospital Maplewood · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI HC MRI THORACIC SPINE W/O CONTRAST | $722.21 | $1,801.00 | Feb 5, 2026 source file |
| M Health Fairview University of Mn Medical Center Minneapolis · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI Outpatient Services | $722.21 | $1,801.00 | Feb 6, 2026 source file |
| M Health Fairview Woodwinds Hospital Woodbury · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI HC MRI THORACIC SPINE W/O CONTRAST | $722.21 | $1,801.00 | Feb 5, 2026 source file |
| Maple Grove Hospital Maple Grove · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); spinal canal, thoracic | $741.49 | $1,407.00 | Apr 30, 2026 source file |
| North Memorial Health Care Robbinsdale · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); spinal canal, thoracic | $741.49 | $1,407.00 | Sep 25, 2026 source file |
| Regions Hospital St. Paul · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI Thoracic MRI | $752.70 | $2,895.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Grand Itasca Clinic and Hospital Grand Rapids · Grand Rapids, MN HC MRI THORACIC SPINE W/O CONTRAST | $765.43 | $1,801.00 | Jan 28, 2026 source file |
| M Health Fairview Ridges Hospital Burnsville · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI HC MRI THORACIC SPINE W/O CONTRAST | $765.43 | $1,801.00 | Feb 6, 2026 source file |
| Range Regional Health Services Hibbing · Duluth, MN-WI HC MRI THORACIC SPINE W/O CONTRAST | $765.43 | $1,801.00 | Jan 29, 2026 source file |
| New Ulm Medical Center New Ulm · New Ulm, MN HCHG RAD MRI SPINE THORACIC WO LIMITED | $908.32 | $1,622.00 | Jun 16, 2026 source file |
| Northfield Hospital Northfield · Faribault-Northfield, MN MRI T-Spine w/o Dye | $1,012.00 | $2,420.00 | Apr 16, 2026 source file |
| City of Sleepy Eye Sleepy Eye · New Ulm, MN THORACIC SPINE WO CONTRAST,TECHNICAL COMPONENT | $1,190.04 | $4,379.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Lakeview Hospital Stillwater · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI Thoracic MRI | $1,220.26 | $3,298.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Allina Health Faribault Medical Center Faribualt · Faribault-Northfield, MN HCHG RAD MRI SPINE THORACIC WO LIMITED | $1,240.46 | $2,215.10 | Jun 16, 2026 source file |
| Buffalo Hospital Buffalo · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI HCHG RAD MRI SPINE THORACIC WO LIMITED | $1,240.46 | $2,215.10 | Jun 16, 2026 source file |
| Cambridge Medical Center Cambridge · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI HCHG RAD MRI SPINE THORACIC WO LIMITED | $1,240.46 | $2,215.10 | Jun 16, 2026 source file |
| Owatonna Hospital Owatonna · Owatonna, MN HCHG RAD MRI SPINE THORACIC WO LIMITED | $1,240.46 | $2,215.10 | Jun 16, 2026 source file |
| Hutchinson Hospital Hutchinson · Hutchinson, MN Thoracic MRI | $1,245.22 | $2,707.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Meeker County Memorial Hospital Litchfield · Litchfield, MN MRI THORACIC SPINE ROUTINE WO CONTRAST | $1,306.88 | $2,042.00 | Dec 28, 2025 source file |
| Lakewood Health System Staples · Staples, MN MRI scan of middle spinal canal without contrast | $1,465.68 | $2,364.00 | Sep 11, 2026 source file |
| Lifecare Medical Center Roseau · Roseau, MN MRI scan of middle spinal canal without contrast | $1,496.00 | $1,700.00 | Aug 5, 2026 source file |
| Alomere Health Alexandria · Alexandria, MN MRI THORACIC SPINE ROUTINE WO CONTRAST | $1,615.88 | $2,786.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Aitkin Community Hospital Aitkin · Aitkin, MN HC MRI, DORSAL SPINE - MRI COMPLETE SPINE WO CONTRAST | $1,726.76 | $3,083.50 | Aug 12, 2026 source file |
| St. Joseph's Area Health Services Park Rapids · Park Rapids, MN THORACIC SPINE COMP WO CONT | $1,804.88 | $3,223.00 | Sep 30, 2026 source file |
| Essentia Health Virginia Virginia · Duluth, MN-WI MRI T SPINE WO CONTRAST | $1,808.01 | $2,879.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Cuyuna Regional Medical Center Crosby · Brainerd, MN HCHG RAD MRI SPINE THORACIC WO | $1,844.84 | $5,426.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Essentia Health St. Mary's - Detroit Lakes Detroit Lakes · Detroit Lakes, MN MRI T SPINE WO CONTRAST | $1,890.05 | $2,944.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Glencoe Regional Health Glencoe · Hutchinson, MN HCHG RAD MRI SPINE THORACIC WO | $1,894.69 | $1,894.69 | Jul 20, 2026 source file |
| Essentia Health Duluth Duluth · Duluth, MN-WI MRI T SPINE WO CONTRAST | $1,900.14 | $2,879.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Essentia Health St. Mary's Children's Hospital Duluth · Duluth, MN-WI MRI T SPINE WO CONTRAST | $1,900.14 | $2,879.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Essentia Health St. Mary's Medical Center Duluth · Duluth, MN-WI MRI T SPINE WO CONTRAST | $1,900.14 | $2,879.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| The Cook Hospital Cook · Duluth, MN-WI MR thoracic spine wo con | $1,908.39 | $2,891.50 | Aug 10, 2026 source file |
| Astera Health Wadena · Wadena, MN MRI Thoracic Spine Routine WO Contrast | $1,979.63 | $2,741.87 | Feb 20, 2026 source file |
| Essentia Health St. Joseph's Medical Center Brainerd · Brainerd, MN MRI T SPINE WO CONTRAST | $1,981.31 | $2,944.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| County of Murray Slayton · Slayton, MN MRI T SPINE WO CONTRAST | $2,002.00 | $3,080.00 | Nov 2, 2026 source file |
| Perham Health Perham · Fergus Falls, MN MRI scan of middle spinal canal without contrast | $2,122.90 | $3,266.00 | Feb 1, 2026 source file |
| Unity Family Healthcare Little Falls · Little Falls, MN MRI THORACIC SPINE ROUTINE WO CONTRAST | $2,123.38 | $3,661.00 | Sep 30, 2026 source file |
| Essentia Health Ada Ada · Ada, MN MRI T SPINE WO CONTRAST | $2,126.84 | $2,878.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Essentia Health Deer River Deer River · Grand Rapids, MN MRI T SPINE WO CONTRAST | $2,126.84 | $2,878.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Essentia Health Fosston Fosston · Grand Forks, ND-MN MRI T SPINE WO CONTRAST | $2,126.84 | $2,878.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Essentia Health Holy Trinity Hospital Graceville · Graceville, MN MRI T SPINE WO CONTRAST | $2,126.84 | $2,878.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Essentia Health Moose Lake Moose Lake · Duluth, MN-WI MRI T SPINE WO CONTRAST | $2,126.84 | $2,878.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Essentia Health Northern Pines Aurora · Duluth, MN-WI MRI T SPINE WO CONTRAST | $2,126.84 | $2,878.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Essentia Health Sandstone Sandstone · Sandstone, MN MRI T SPINE WO CONTRAST | $2,126.84 | $2,878.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Saint Elizabeth’s Hospital of Wabasha Wabasha · Rochester, MN HCHG 72146 MRI-THORACIC SPINE W/O CONTRAS | $2,140.03 | $3,514.00 | Jun 27, 2026 source file |
| Ortonville Area Health Services Ortonville · Ortonville, MN MRI T SPINE WO CONTRAST | $2,142.00 | $2,520.00 | Jun 18, 2026 source file |
| Community Memorial Hospital Cloquet · Duluth, MN-WI MRI THORACIC SPINE W/O CONTR | $2,170.24 | $3,391.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Olivia Hospital Olivia · Olivia, MN Thoracic MRI | $2,179.53 | $3,573.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Stevens Community Medical Center Morris · Morris, MN MRI scan of middle spinal canal without contrast | $2,307.75 | $3,077.00 | Jun 26, 2026 source file |
| Madison Hospital Madison · Madison, MN MRI THORACIC SPINE ROUTINE WO CONTRAST | $2,358.75 | $2,775.00 | Jun 23, 2026 source file |
| Glacial Ridge Hospital Glenwood · Glenwood, MN MRI scan of middle spinal canal without contrast | $2,367.07 | $2,817.94 | Oct 21, 2026 source file |
| St. Francis Medical Center Breckenridge · Wahpeton, ND-MN THORACIC SPINE COMP WO CONT | $2,427.19 | $3,979.00 | Sep 30, 2026 source file |
| Windom Area Hospital Windom · Windom, MN MRI T SPINE WO CONTRAST | $2,451.40 | $3,605.00 | Feb 3, 2026 source file |
| Johnson Memorial Hospital Dawson · Dawson, MN MRI THORACIC SPINE ROUTINE WO CONTRAST | $2,487.97 | $2,927.02 | Sep 8, 2026 source file |
| Lakewood Health Center Baudette · Baudette, MN THORACIC SPINE COMP WO CONT | $2,497.60 | $4,460.00 | Sep 30, 2026 source file |
| Bigfork Valley Hospital Bigfork · Grand Rapids, MN THORACIC SPINE W/O CONTRAST | $2,503.25 | $3,525.70 | Sep 15, 2026 source file |
| Mille Lacs Health System Onamia · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI MRI T SPINE W/O | $2,621.50 | $3,745.00 | Aug 13, 2026 source file |
| Sanford Thief River Falls Medical Center Thief River Falls · Thief River Falls, MN MRI T SPINE WO CONTRAST | $2,707.20 | $3,384.00 | Mar 4, 2026 source file |
| Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital Ely · Duluth, MN-WI MRI scan of middle spinal canal without contrast | $2,779.11 | $3,431.00 | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Appleton Area Health Appleton · Appleton, MN MRI scan of middle spinal canal without contrast | $2,782.90 | $3,274.00 | Jul 7, 2026 source file |
| Welia Health Mora · Mora, MN HCHG RAD MRI SPINE THORACIC WO | $2,791.60 | $3,988.00 | Apr 27, 2026 source file |
| Aspirus St. Luke’s Hospital Duluth · Duluth, MN-WI T Spine MRI Without Contrast | $2,853.82 | $5,246.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Rainy Lake Medical Center International Falls · International Falls, MN MRI T SPINE WO CONTRAST | $2,855.20 | $3,708.04 | May 6, 2026 source file |
| Sanford Wheaton Wheaton · Wheaton, MN MRI T SPINE WO CONTRAST | $2,879.20 | $3,599.00 | Mar 4, 2026 source file |
| Kittson Healthcare Hallock · Hallock, MN MRI T SPINE WO CONTRAST | $2,881.00 | $2,881.00 | Jun 26, 2026 source file |
| Sanford Bagley Medical Center Bagley · Bagley, MN MRI T SPINE WO CONTRAST | $2,976.00 | $3,720.00 | Mar 4, 2026 source file |
| Sanford Bemidji Medical Center Bemidji · Bemidji, MN MRI T SPINE WO CONTRAST | $2,976.00 | $3,720.00 | Mar 4, 2026 source file |
| Sanford Luverne Medical Center Luverne · Sioux Falls, SD-MN MRI T SPINE WO CONTRAST | $2,993.60 | $3,742.00 | Mar 4, 2026 source file |
| Childrens Health Care Minneapolis · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI MRI SPINE THORACIC WO CONT- RAD | $3,203.00 | $3,203.00 | May 7, 2026 source file |
| Sanford Canby Medical Center Canby · Canby, MN MRI T SPINE WO CONTRAST | $3,237.60 | $4,047.00 | Mar 4, 2026 source file |
| North Valley Health Center Warren · Grand Forks, ND-MN MRI scan of middle spinal canal without contrast | $3,289.00 | $3,289.00 | Oct 22, 2026 source file |
| Sanford Tracy Hospital Tracy · Marshall, MN MRI T SPINE WO CONTRAST | $3,370.40 | $4,213.00 | Mar 4, 2026 source file |
| Sanford Westbrook Hospital Westbrook · Westbrook, MN MRI T SPINE WO CONTRAST | $3,370.40 | $4,213.00 | Mar 4, 2026 source file |
| Sanford Jackson Hospital Jackson · Jackson, MN MRI T SPINE WO CONTRAST | $3,419.20 | $4,274.00 | Mar 4, 2026 source file |
| Sanford Worthington Medical Center Worthington · Worthington, MN MRI T SPINE WO CONTRAST | $3,441.60 | $4,302.00 | Mar 4, 2026 source file |
| Mahnomen Health Center Mahnomen · Mahnomen, MN MRI T SPINE WO CONTRAST | $3,515.40 | $3,906.00 | Jul 16, 2026 source file |
| Aspirus Lake View Hospital Two Harbors · Two Harbors, MN T Spine MRI Without Contrast | $4,317.46 | $5,246.00 | Apr 1, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 20 | $222.56 | $722.21 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | 11 | $765.43 | $1,908.39 |
| Grand Rapids, MN | 3 | $765.43 | $2,126.84 |
| Brainerd, MN | 2 | $1,844.84 | $1,913.08 |
| Faribault-Northfield, MN | 2 | $1,012.00 | $1,126.23 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | 2 | $2,126.84 | $2,707.92 |
| Hutchinson, MN | 2 | $1,245.22 | $1,569.96 |
| New Ulm, MN | 2 | $908.32 | $1,049.18 |
| Ada, MN | 1 | $2,126.84 | $2,126.84 |
| Aitkin, MN | 1 | $1,726.76 | $1,726.76 |
| Appleton, MN | 1 | $2,782.90 | $2,782.90 |
| Alexandria, MN | 1 | $1,615.88 | $1,615.88 |
| Bagley, MN | 1 | $2,976.00 | $2,976.00 |
| Baudette, MN | 1 | $2,497.60 | $2,497.60 |
| Bemidji, MN | 1 | $2,976.00 | $2,976.00 |
| Canby, MN | 1 | $3,237.60 | $3,237.60 |
| Dawson, MN | 1 | $2,487.97 | $2,487.97 |
| Detroit Lakes, MN | 1 | $1,890.05 | $1,890.05 |
| Fergus Falls, MN | 1 | $2,122.90 | $2,122.90 |
| Glenwood, MN | 1 | $2,367.07 | $2,367.07 |
| Graceville, MN | 1 | $2,126.84 | $2,126.84 |
| Hallock, MN | 1 | $2,881.00 | $2,881.00 |
| International Falls, MN | 1 | $2,855.20 | $2,855.20 |
| Jackson, MN | 1 | $3,419.20 | $3,419.20 |
| Litchfield, MN | 1 | $1,306.88 | $1,306.88 |
| Little Falls, MN | 1 | $2,123.38 | $2,123.38 |
| Madison, MN | 1 | $2,358.75 | $2,358.75 |
| Mahnomen, MN | 1 | $3,515.40 | $3,515.40 |
| Mora, MN | 1 | $2,791.60 | $2,791.60 |
| Morris, MN | 1 | $2,307.75 | $2,307.75 |
| Marshall, MN | 1 | $3,370.40 | $3,370.40 |
| Olivia, MN | 1 | $2,179.53 | $2,179.53 |
| Ortonville, MN | 1 | $2,142.00 | $2,142.00 |
| Owatonna, MN | 1 | $1,240.46 | $1,240.46 |
| Park Rapids, MN | 1 | $1,804.88 | $1,804.88 |
| Roseau, MN | 1 | $1,496.00 | $1,496.00 |
| Rochester, MN | 1 | $2,140.03 | $2,140.03 |
| Sandstone, MN | 1 | $2,126.84 | $2,126.84 |
| Slayton, MN | 1 | $2,002.00 | $2,002.00 |
| Staples, MN | 1 | $1,465.68 | $1,465.68 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | 1 | $2,993.60 | $2,993.60 |
| Thief River Falls, MN | 1 | $2,707.20 | $2,707.20 |
| Two Harbors, MN | 1 | $4,317.46 | $4,317.46 |
| Wadena, MN | 1 | $1,979.63 | $1,979.63 |
| Westbrook, MN | 1 | $3,370.40 | $3,370.40 |
| Wheaton, MN | 1 | $2,879.20 | $2,879.20 |
| Windom, MN | 1 | $2,451.40 | $2,451.40 |
| Wahpeton, ND-MN | 1 | $2,427.19 | $2,427.19 |
| Worthington, MN | 1 | $3,441.60 | $3,441.60 |
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 thoracic spine MRI is, what the price covers and why prices differ: Thoracic spine MRI explained.
MRI of the mid back (thoracic spine), no contrast dye in other states
- Alabama$1,516.59
- Alaska$3,112.56
- Arizona$1,794.76
- Arkansas$898.82
- California$2,894.40
- Colorado$2,352.56
- Connecticut$1,434.00
- Delaware$2,517.08
- District of Columbia$1,953.00, 3 hospitals
- Florida$3,775.20
- Georgia$1,762.41
- Hawaii$1,965.00
- Idaho$1,600.88
- Illinois$2,846.58
- Indiana$1,004.64
- Iowa$2,276.67
- Kansas$1,192.70
- Kentucky$1,845.73
- Louisiana$959.31
- Maine$1,411.65
- Maryland$495.14
- Massachusetts$1,832.85
- Michigan$1,705.28
- Mississippi$1,349.32
- Missouri$1,754.77
- Montana$1,752.39
- Nebraska$3,401.28
- Nevada$2,112.37
- New Hampshire$2,494.37
- New Jersey$621.37
- New Mexico$2,218.31
- New York$1,283.68
- North Carolina$2,097.00
- North Dakota$2,074.00
- Ohio$1,677.55
- Oklahoma$1,122.80
- Oregon$1,856.40
- Pennsylvania$2,069.20
- Puerto Rico$725.00
- Rhode Island$2,250.00
- South Carolina$2,161.95
- South Dakota$3,269.60
- Tennessee$976.83
- Texas$2,034.41
- Utah$4,273.11
- Vermont$3,562.90
- Virginia$2,000.00
- Washington$2,105.60
- West Virginia$1,347.75
- Wisconsin$2,210.00
- Wyoming$1,967.43
Median cash price across the state's hospitals.