Lower back MRI cost in Louisiana
In Louisiana, 58 hospitals publish a cash price for MRI of the lower back, no contrast dye: from $217.06 to $9,493.47, with a median of $1,032.62. The lowest price is at Glenwood Regional Medical Center - HSA (West Monroe). The highest price is 43.7× the lowest.
- The median here, $1,032.62, is 46% below the US median of $1,902.72.
- That is 4.2× Medicare's 2026 national rate for the same service ($243.77).
- Louisiana ranks 7th of 51 states by median, cheapest first.
- 5 of 58 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 72148. Prices for both sides of the body and inpatient prices are not mixed in. Collected Oct 31, 2026. See them on a map
Lowest$217.06Glenwood Regional Medical Center - HSA
Median$1,032.62half of hospitals charge less
Highest$9,493.47in Louisiana
Lowest saves$815.56vs the median
Hospitals in Louisiana, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | File date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glenwood Regional Medical Center - HSA lowest West Monroe · Monroe, LA MRI SPINE LUMBAR WO CONTR | $217.06 | $3,110.47 | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Sterling Surgical Hospital Slidell · Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA 72148 - MRI LUMBAR SPINE W/O DYE | $256.89 | $1,749.00 | Aug 11, 2026 source file |
| Springhill Medical Center Springhill · Minden, LA MRI SPINE LUM WO CON | $279.04 | $820.70 | Mar 22, 2026 source file |
| Ochsner St Mary Morgan City · Baton Rouge, LA HC MRI SPINE LUMBAR WITHOUT CONTRAST | $362.60 | $1,813.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Lallie Kemp Regional Medical Center Independence · Hammond, LA MRI SCAN OF LOWER SPINAL CANAL WITHOUT CONTRAST | $377.51 | $629.19 | Feb 24, 2026 source file |
| Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport Shreveport · Shreveport-Bossier City, LA HC MRI SPINE LUMBAR WITHOUT CONTRAST | $382.98 | $1,473.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| St Bernard Parish Hospital Chalmette · New Orleans-Metairie, LA HC MRI SPINE LUMBAR WITHOUT CONTRAST | $404.16 | $1,263.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport - St. Mary Medical Center Shreveport · Shreveport-Bossier City, LA HC MRI SPINE LUMBAR WITHOUT CONTRAST | $412.44 | $1,473.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Ochsner American Legion Hospital Jennings · Lake Charles, LA HC MRI SPINE LUMBAR WITHOUT CONTRAST | $423.98 | $1,247.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Ochsner Medical Center - Baton Rouge Baton Rouge · Baton Rouge, LA HC MRI SPINE LUMBAR WITHOUT CONTRAST | $452.80 | $1,415.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Leonard J Chabert Medical Center Houma · Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA HC MRI SPINE LUMBAR WITHOUT CONTRAST | $453.08 | $964.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Ochsner Clinic Foundation New Orleans · New Orleans-Metairie, LA HC MRI SPINE LUMBAR WITHOUT CONTRAST | $465.96 | $2,118.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Ochsner LSU Health Monroe Monroe · Monroe, LA HC MRI SPINE LUMBAR WITHOUT CONTRAST | $474.49 | $2,063.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Ochsner Medical Center – Kenner Kenner · New Orleans-Metairie, LA HC MRI SPINE LUMBAR WITHOUT CONTRAST | $504.00 | $1,800.00 | Sep 16, 2026 source file |
| Fairway Medical Center Covington · Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA MRI LUMBAR SPINE W/O CONTRAST | $525.00 | $1,325.00 | Mar 1, 2026 source file |
| Lafayette General Medical Center Lafayette · Lafayette, LA HC MRI SPINE LUMBAR WITHOUT CONTRAST | $560.91 | $2,671.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| University Med Center New Orleans · New Orleans-Metairie, LA MRI Scan of Lower Spinal Canal | $606.10 | $2,755.00 | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| Acadia General Hospital Crowley · Lafayette, LA HC MRI SPINE LUMBAR WITHOUT CONTRAST | $614.33 | $2,671.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| St Charles Parish Hospital Luling · New Orleans-Metairie, LA HC MRI SPINE LUMBAR WITHOUT CONTRAST | $636.12 | $2,356.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| St. Frances Cabrini Hospital Alexandria · Alexandria, LA HC 72148 MRI L-SPINE W/O CONTRAST | $643.24 | $2,474.00 | Jan 13, 2026 source file |
| New Orleans East Hospital New Orleans · New Orleans-Metairie, LA MRI Scan of Lower Spinal Canal | $656.00 | $4,100.00 | Jun 24, 2026 source file |
| Omega Hospital Metairie · New Orleans-Metairie, LA MRI SPINAL CANAL LUMBAR W/O CONTRAST MATERIAL | $691.90 | $1,186.11 | May 26, 2026 source file |
| Touro Infirmary New Orleans · New Orleans-Metairie, LA MRI Scan of Lower Spinal Canal | $692.58 | $4,947.00 | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| Ochsner University Hospital & Clinics Lafayette · Lafayette, LA HC MRI SPINE LUMBAR WITHOUT CONTRAST | $694.46 | $2,671.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Lasalle General Hospital Jena · Jena, LA MRI SACRUM W/O | $727.80 | $1,213.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Ochsner St Anne General Hospital Raceland · Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA HC MRI SPINE LUMBAR WITHOUT CONTRAST | $739.64 | $1,681.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Ochsner St. Martin Hospital Breaux Bridge · Lafayette, LA HC MRI SPINE LUMBAR WITHOUT CONTRAST | $801.30 | $2,671.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| West Jefferson Medical Center Marrero · New Orleans-Metairie, LA MRI Scan of Lower Spinal Canal | $865.60 | $5,410.00 | Jun 30, 2026 source file |
| Childrens Hospital New Orleans · New Orleans-Metairie, LA MRI Scan of Lower Spinal Canal | $1,017.63 | $3,769.00 | Jun 24, 2026 source file |
| Lake Charles Memorial Hospital Lake Charles · Lake Charles, LA MRI scan of lower spinal canal | $1,047.60 | $1,746.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| St Charles Surgical Hospital New Orleans · New Orleans-Metairie, LA XR SPINAL LUMBAR MRI W/O | $1,092.54 | $3,098.00 | Aug 17, 2026 source file |
| Bayou Bend Health System Franklin · Morgan City, LA MRI scan of lower spinal canal without contrast | $1,131.90 | $1,617.00 | Sep 15, 2026 source file |
| Bunkie General Hospital Bunkie · Bunkie, LA MRI LUMBAR WO | $1,200.00 | $1,200.00 | Mar 16, 2026 source file |
| Abrom Kaplan Memorial Hospital Kaplan · Lafayette, LA HC MRI SPINE LUMBAR WITHOUT CONTRAST | $1,201.95 | $2,671.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| East Jefferson General Hospital Metairie · New Orleans-Metairie, LA MRI Scan of Lower Spinal Canal | $1,263.50 | $9,025.00 | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| Lakeside Hospital Metairie · New Orleans-Metairie, LA MRI Scan of Lower Spinal Canal | $1,263.50 | $9,025.00 | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| Lakeview Hospital Covington · Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA MRI Scan of Lower Spinal Canal | $1,263.50 | $9,025.00 | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| Tulane Medical Center New Orleans · New Orleans-Metairie, LA MRI Scan of Lower Spinal Canal | $1,263.50 | $9,025.00 | Jun 25, 2026 source file |
| Acadian Medical Center Eunice · Lafayette, LA MRI LUMBAR SPINE W/O DYE | $1,279.95 | $4,266.50 | Jun 9, 2026 source file |
| Minden Medical Center Minden · Minden, LA MRI LUMBAR SPINE W/O DYE | $1,643.10 | $5,477.00 | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Natchitoches Regional Medical Center Natchitoches · Natchitoches, LA LUMBAR W/O CONTRAST | $1,646.40 | $4,116.00 | Mar 18, 2026 source file |
| Surgical Specialty Center Baton Rouge · Baton Rouge, LA MRI L-SPINE W/O | $1,672.50 | $2,230.00 | Mar 30, 2026 source file |
| Acadia St Landry Church Point · Lafayette, LA MRI LUMBAR W/O CONTRAS | $1,716.00 | $2,288.00 | Mar 23, 2026 source file |
| Madison Parish Hospital Tallulah · Tallulah, LA MRI LUMBAR SPINE WITHOUT CONTR | $1,716.69 | $3,433.38 | May 19, 2026 source file |
| Lady of the Sea General Hospital Cut Off · Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA MRI L SPINE WO CONTRAST | $1,755.12 | $1,755.12 | Sep 15, 2026 source file |
| West Feliciana Parish Hospital St Francisville · Baton Rouge, LA MRI L- SPINE W/O CONTRAST | $1,865.24 | $3,108.74 | May 11, 2026 source file |
| Baton Rouge General Medical Center Baton Rouge · Baton Rouge, LA MRI LUMBAR W/O CONTRAST | $1,935.54 | $2,765.05 | Mar 26, 2026 source file |
| Byrd Regional Hospital Leesville · Leesville, LA MRI LUMBAR SPINE W/O CON | $1,969.65 | $6,565.50 | Jun 10, 2026 source file |
| Richland Parish Hospital-Delhi Delhi · Monroe, LA MRI scan of lower spinal canal without contrast | $2,099.50 | $3,230.00 | Oct 27, 2026 source file |
| Hardtner Medical Center Olla · Olla, LA MRI Spine Lumbar w/o Contrast | $2,135.20 | $2,669.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Monroe Surgical Hospital Monroe · Monroe, LA MRI L-SPINE W/O CONTRAST | $2,145.15 | $2,860.20 | Mar 30, 2026 source file |
| Reeves Memorial Medical Center Bernice · Monroe, LA MRI LUMBAR SPINE W/O DYE | $2,150.00 | $4,300.00 | Aug 26, 2026 source file |
| Morehouse General Hospital Bastrop · Monroe, LA MRI LUMBAR WO CONT | $2,412.80 | $3,016.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Jackson Parish Hospital Jonesboro · Jonesboro, LA MRI Spine Lumbar w/o Contrast | $2,431.00 | $2,431.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Northern Louisiana Medical Center Ruston · Ruston, LA MRI LUMBAR SPINE W/O CON | $2,814.07 | $5,116.50 | Jun 19, 2026 source file |
| Louisiana Extended Care of Natchitoches Natchitoches · Natchitoches, LA LUMBAR W/O CONTRAST | $3,202.00 | $3,202.00 | Oct 25, 2026 source file |
| Willis Knighton Medical Center Shreveport · Shreveport-Bossier City, LA Mri Lumbar Spine W/O Cst | $3,380.80 | $4,226.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Rapides Regional Medical Center Alexandria · Alexandria, LA MRI L-SPINE W/O CONT | $9,493.47 | $9,493.47 | Sep 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | 14 | $404.16 | $692.24 |
| Lafayette, LA | 7 | $560.91 | $801.30 |
| Monroe, LA | 6 | $217.06 | $2,122.32 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 5 | $362.60 | $1,672.50 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | 3 | $453.08 | $739.64 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | 3 | $382.98 | $412.44 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | 3 | $256.89 | $525.00 |
| Alexandria, LA | 2 | $643.24 | $5,068.36 |
| Lake Charles, LA | 2 | $423.98 | $735.79 |
| Minden, LA | 2 | $279.04 | $961.07 |
| Natchitoches, LA | 2 | $1,646.40 | $2,424.20 |
| Bunkie, LA | 1 | $1,200.00 | $1,200.00 |
| Hammond, LA | 1 | $377.51 | $377.51 |
| Jena, LA | 1 | $727.80 | $727.80 |
| Jonesboro, LA | 1 | $2,431.00 | $2,431.00 |
| Leesville, LA | 1 | $1,969.65 | $1,969.65 |
| Morgan City, LA | 1 | $1,131.90 | $1,131.90 |
| Olla, LA | 1 | $2,135.20 | $2,135.20 |
| Ruston, LA | 1 | $2,814.07 | $2,814.07 |
| Tallulah, LA | 1 | $1,716.69 | $1,716.69 |
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 MRI is, what the price covers and why prices differ: Lower back MRI explained.
MRI of the lower back, no contrast dye in other states
- Alabama$1,596.76
- Alaska$3,437.78
- Arizona$1,752.45
- Arkansas$891.78
- California$3,060.69
- Colorado$2,164.66
- Connecticut$1,437.00
- Delaware$2,452.48
- District of Columbia$2,013.00, 3 hospitals
- Florida$3,699.50
- Georgia$1,713.00
- Hawaii$1,531.60
- Idaho$1,557.45
- Illinois$2,881.44
- Indiana$1,016.72
- Iowa$2,371.13
- Kansas$1,240.13
- Kentucky$1,725.03
- Maine$1,419.25
- Maryland$495.14
- Massachusetts$1,805.25
- Michigan$1,806.88
- Minnesota$2,036.24
- Mississippi$1,302.62
- Missouri$1,861.45
- Montana$1,753.00
- Nebraska$3,216.00
- Nevada$2,308.53
- New Hampshire$2,455.25
- New Jersey$591.91
- New Mexico$2,038.78
- New York$1,307.22
- North Carolina$2,227.59
- North Dakota$1,934.90
- Ohio$1,666.80
- Oklahoma$1,264.00
- Oregon$1,870.75
- Pennsylvania$1,790.00
- Puerto Rico$725.00
- Rhode Island$2,250.00
- South Carolina$2,193.60
- South Dakota$3,269.60
- Tennessee$984.54
- Texas$2,190.02
- Utah$4,273.11
- Vermont$3,576.90
- Virginia$2,000.00
- Washington$2,100.33
- West Virginia$1,350.75
- Wisconsin$2,210.00
- Wyoming$2,274.75
Median cash price across the state's hospitals.