MRI of the lower back, no contrast dye cost in Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, 17 hospitals publish a cash price for MRI of the lower back, no contrast dye: from $403.04 to $6,654.80, with a median of $2,312.47. The lowest price is at Boston Medical Center South (Brockton). The highest price is 16.5× 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 Massachusetts, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | File date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston Medical Center South lowest Brockton · Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH HC Chg MRI Spinal Canal Lumbar W/O Contrast Material | $403.04 | $895.64 | — source file |
| Boston Medical Center Brighton Boston · Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH HC Chg MRI Spinal Canal Lumbar W/O Contrast Material | $449.36 | $998.58 | — source file |
| The Mercy Hospital Inc Springfield · Springfield, MA PR MRI Lumbar Spine W/O Contrast | $560.52 | — | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Tufts Medical Center Boston · Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH HC MRI Spine Lumbar WO Contr | $1,141.70 | $1,631.00 | — source file |
| Lowell General Hospital Lowell · Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH HC MRI Spine Lumbar WO Contr | $1,381.10 | $1,973.00 | — source file |
| Holyoke Medical Center Holyoke · Springfield, MA MRI lumbar spine w/o dye | $1,735.00 | $1,735.00 | — source file |
| Melrosewakefield Healthcare Melrose · Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH HC MRI Spine Lumbar WO Contr | $1,793.40 | $2,562.00 | — source file |
| Boston Medical Center Boston · Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH HC Chg MRI Spinal Canal Lumbar W/O Contrast Material | $1,815.30 | $4,034.00 | — source file |
| Berkshire Medical Center Pittsfield · Pittsfield, MA MRI L Spine w/o Cntrst | $2,312.47 | $2,434.18 | Mar 25, 2026 source file |
| Fairview Hospital Great Barrington · Pittsfield, MA MRI L Spine w/o Cntrst | $2,312.47 | $2,434.18 | Mar 25, 2026 source file |
| North Adams Regional Hospital North Adams · Pittsfield, MA MRI L Spine w/o Cntrst | $2,312.47 | $2,434.18 | Mar 25, 2026 source file |
| Cambridge Health Alliance Cambridge · Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH HC MRI - Lumbar Spine | $2,467.00 | $2,467.00 | — source file |
| UMass Memorial Health - Milford Regional Medical Center, Inc. Milford · Worcester, MA Mri lumbar spine w/o dye | $2,988.00 | $2,988.00 | — source file |
| UMass Memorial Medical Center Worcester · Worcester, MA HC MRI Lumbar Spine W/O Contrast | $3,763.00 | $3,763.00 | Mar 26, 2026 source file |
| HealthAlliance - Clinton Hospital Leominster · Worcester, MA HC MRI Lumbar Spine W/O Contrast | $3,774.00 | $3,774.00 | Mar 26, 2026 source file |
| UMass Memorial Health - Harrington Hospital, Inc. Southbridge · Worcester, MA HC MRI Lumbar Spine W/O Contrast | $3,889.00 | $3,889.00 | Apr 3, 2026 source file |
| Shriners Childrens - Boston Boston · Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH MRI LUMBAR SPINE W/O DYE | $6,654.80 | $6,654.80 | — source file |
By metro area
Each metro page compares every listing, including prices for both sides of the body.
| Metro area | Hospitals | Lowest | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 8 | $403.04 | $1,587.25 |
| Worcester, MA | 4 | $2,988.00 | $3,768.50 |
| Pittsfield, MA | 3 | $2,312.47 | $2,312.47 |
| Springfield, MA | 2 | $560.52 | $1,147.76 |
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
- Louisiana$1,017.63
- Maine$1,293.45
- Maryland$469.03
- 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.