MRI of the lower back, no contrast dye cost in Louisiana
In Louisiana, 13 hospitals publish a cash price for MRI of the lower back, no contrast dye: from $377.51 to $2,135.20, with a median of $1,017.63. The lowest price is at Lallie Kemp Regional Medical Center (Independence). The highest price is 5.7× 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 Louisiana, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | File date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lallie Kemp Regional Medical Center lowest Independence · Hammond, LA MRI SCAN OF LOWER SPINAL CANAL WITHOUT CONTRAST | $377.51 | $629.19 | — 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 |
| 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 |
| Touro Infirmary New Orleans · New Orleans-Metairie, LA MRI Scan of Lower Spinal Canal | $692.58 | $4,947.00 | Jul 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 |
| 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 |
| Natchitoches Parish Hospital Service District Natchitoches · Natchitoches, LA LUMBAR W/O CONTRAST | $1,646.40 | $4,116.00 | Mar 18, 2026 source file |
| LaSalle Parish Hospital Service District No. 1 Olla · Olla, LA MRI Spine Lumbar w/o Contrast | $2,135.20 | $2,669.00 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | 8 | $606.10 | $941.62 |
| Alexandria, LA | 1 | $643.24 | $643.24 |
| Hammond, LA | 1 | $377.51 | $377.51 |
| Natchitoches, LA | 1 | $1,646.40 | $1,646.40 |
| Olla, LA | 1 | $2,135.20 | $2,135.20 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | 1 | $1,263.50 | $1,263.50 |
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
- Alabama$2,629.06
- 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
- 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.