MRI of the lower back, no contrast dye cost in Alabama
In Alabama, 11 hospitals publish a cash price for MRI of the lower back, no contrast dye: from $270.60 to $12,201.94, with a median of $2,629.06. The lowest price is at East Alabama Medical Center (Opelika). The highest price is 45.1× the lowest.
Outpatient cash prices, one line per hospital — its lowest listed price for code 72148. Prices for both sides of the body and inpatient prices are not mixed in. Collected Sep 23, 2026.
Hospitals in Alabama, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | File date |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Alabama Medical Center lowest Opelika · Auburn-Opelika, AL MRI Spine Lumbar Without Contrast | $270.60 | $492.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Monroe County Healthcare Authority Monroeville · Monroeville, AL MRI SPINAL CANAL LUMBAR WO CONTRAST | $560.46 | $1,401.15 | — source file |
| The Children's Hospital of Alabama Birmingham · Birmingham, AL HC Lumbar, MR | $893.08 | $2,076.92 | — source file |
| Floyd Cherokee Medical Center LLC Centre · Centre, AL HC MRI SPINAL CANAL LUMBAR W/O CONTRAST MATERIAL | $1,339.50 | $2,679.00 | Nov 19, 2025 source file |
| Springhill Memorial Hospital Mobile · Mobile, AL LUMBAR W/O CONT | $1,819.83 | $2,140.98 | Apr 2, 2026 source file |
| Crestwood Medical Center Huntsville · Huntsville, AL MR-LUMB SPINE WO | $2,629.06 | $14,605.90 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Baptist Health Citizens Hospital Talladega · Talladega-Sylacauga, AL Hb Mri, Lumbar Spine - Mri Lumbar Spine Wo Contrast | $10,873.00 | $10,873.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Baptist Health Princeton Hospital Birmingham · Birmingham, AL Hb Mri, Lumbar Spine - Mri Lumbar Spine Wo Contrast | $10,873.00 | $10,873.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Baptist Health Shelby Hospital Alabaster · Birmingham, AL Hb Mri, Lumbar Spine - Mri Lumbar Spine Wo Contrast | $10,873.00 | $10,873.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Baptist Health Walker Hospital Jasper · Birmingham, AL Hb Mri, Lumbar Spine - Mri Lumbar Spine Wo Contrast | $10,873.00 | $10,873.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Baptist Health Brookwood Hospital Birmingham · Birmingham, AL Hb Mri, Lumbar Spine - Mri Lumbar Spine Wo Contrast | $12,201.94 | $12,201.94 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
By metro area
Each metro page compares every listing, including prices for both sides of the body.
| Metro area | Hospitals | Lowest | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham, AL | 5 | $893.08 | $10,873.00 |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | 1 | $270.60 | $270.60 |
| Centre, AL | 1 | $1,339.50 | $1,339.50 |
| Huntsville, AL | 1 | $2,629.06 | $2,629.06 |
| Monroeville, AL | 1 | $560.46 | $560.46 |
| Mobile, AL | 1 | $1,819.83 | $1,819.83 |
| Talladega-Sylacauga, AL | 1 | $10,873.00 | $10,873.00 |
What it is
An MRI of the lower back uses a magnet and radio waves to make detailed pictures of the lumbar spine, including discs, nerves and the spinal canal. It is commonly ordered for back pain that spreads down the leg, numbness or weakness. No contrast dye is used.
What the price covers
The hospital price usually covers the scan. The radiologist's interpretation is often billed separately.
MRI of the lower back, no contrast dye in other states
- Alaska$2,642.99
- Arizona$726.38
- Arkansas$847.20
- California$2,665.50
- Colorado$981.91
- Connecticut$1,508.65
- Delaware$2,452.48
- Florida$2,324.67
- Georgia$1,775.67
- Hawaii$1,510.20
- Idaho$1,857.00
- Illinois$1,777.50
- Indiana$948.06
- Iowa$1,502.64
- Kansas$1,694.40
- Kentucky$3,235.67
- Louisiana$1,017.63
- Maine$1,293.45
- Maryland$469.03
- Massachusetts$2,312.47
- Michigan$1,426.00
- Minnesota$1,240.46
- Mississippi$682.50
- Missouri$1,862.90
- Montana$1,848.37
- Nebraska$1,503.82
- Nevada$1,950.95
- New Hampshire$1,875.33
- New Jersey$322.54
- New Mexico$1,592.17
- New York$1,008.83
- North Carolina$2,013.08
- North Dakota$1,723.78
- Ohio$1,309.10
- Oklahoma$1,030.18
- Oregon$1,776.00
- Pennsylvania$1,790.00
- Puerto Rico$690.00
- Rhode Island$1,258.00
- South Carolina$2,759.50
- South Dakota$3,189.60
- Tennessee$705.00
- Texas$2,190.02
- Utah$2,229.06
- Vermont$2,912.70
- Virginia$1,954.80
- Washington$2,114.45
- West Virginia$1,381.00
- Wisconsin$1,621.22
- Wyoming$1,227.35
Median cash price across the state's hospitals.