Lower back MRI cost in Minnesota
In Minnesota, 84 hospitals publish a cash price for MRI of the lower back, no contrast dye: from $223.34 to $3,825.00, with a median of $2,036.24. The lowest price is at Methodist Hospital (St. Louis Park). The highest price is 17.1× the lowest.
- The median here, $2,036.24, is 7% above the US median of $1,902.72.
- That is 8.4× Medicare's 2026 national rate for the same service ($243.77).
- Minnesota ranks 30th of 51 states by median, cheapest first.
- 4 of 84 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 72148. Prices for both sides of the body and inpatient prices are not mixed in. Collected Nov 6, 2026. See them on a map
Lowest$223.34Methodist Hospital
Median$2,036.24half of hospitals charge less
Highest$3,825.00in Minnesota
Lowest saves$1,812.90vs 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 MRI lumbar spine | $223.34 | $859.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Abbott Northwestern Hospital Minneapolis · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI HCHG RAD MRI SPINE LUMBAR WO LIMITED | $410.50 | $855.20 | Jun 16, 2026 source file |
| Allina United Hospital St. Paul · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI HCHG RAD MRI SPINE LUMBAR WO LIMITED | $410.50 | $855.20 | Jun 16, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Hospital Coon Rapids · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI HCHG RAD MRI SPINE LUMBAR WO LIMITED | $410.50 | $855.20 | Jun 17, 2026 source file |
| Maple Grove Hospital Maple Grove · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), spinal canal, lumbar | $741.49 | $1,407.00 | Sep 25, 2026 source file |
| North Memorial Health Care Robbinsdale · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), spinal canal, lumbar | $741.49 | $1,407.00 | Apr 30, 2026 source file |
| Regions Hospital St. Paul · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI MRI lumbar spine | $752.70 | $2,895.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Fairview Bethesda Hospital St. Paul · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI HC MRI LUMBAR SPINE W/O CONTRAST | $759.90 | $1,895.00 | Jan 29, 2026 source file |
| Fairview Lakes Health Services Wyoming · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI HC MRI LUMBAR SPINE W/O CONTRAST | $759.90 | $1,895.00 | Feb 5, 2026 source file |
| Fairview Northland Regional Hospital Princeton · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI HC MRI LUMBAR SPINE W/O CONTRAST | $759.90 | $1,895.00 | Jan 29, 2026 source file |
| M Health Fairview Southdale Hospital Edina · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI HC MRI LUMBAR SPINE W/O CONTRAST | $759.90 | $1,895.00 | Feb 6, 2026 source file |
| M Health Fairview St. John's Hospital Maplewood · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI HC MRI LUMBAR SPINE W/O CONTRAST | $759.90 | $1,895.00 | Feb 5, 2026 source file |
| M Health Fairview University of Mn Medical Center Minneapolis · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI Outpatient Services | $759.90 | $1,895.00 | Feb 6, 2026 source file |
| M Health Fairview Woodwinds Hospital Woodbury · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI HC MRI LUMBAR SPINE W/O CONTRAST | $759.90 | $1,895.00 | Feb 5, 2026 source file |
| Grand Itasca Clinic and Hospital Grand Rapids · Grand Rapids, MN HC MRI LUMBAR SPINE W/O CONTRAST | $805.38 | $1,895.00 | Jan 28, 2026 source file |
| M Health Fairview Ridges Hospital Burnsville · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI HC MRI LUMBAR SPINE W/O CONTRAST | $805.38 | $1,895.00 | Feb 6, 2026 source file |
| Range Regional Health Services Hibbing · Duluth, MN-WI HC MRI LUMBAR SPINE W/O CONTRAST | $805.38 | $1,895.00 | Jan 29, 2026 source file |
| New Ulm Medical Center New Ulm · New Ulm, MN HCHG RAD MRI SPINE LUMBAR WO LIMITED | $908.32 | $1,622.00 | Jun 16, 2026 source file |
| Northfield Hospital Northfield · Faribault-Northfield, MN MRI L-Spine w/o Dye | $1,002.00 | $2,396.00 | Apr 16, 2026 source file |
| City of Sleepy Eye Sleepy Eye · New Ulm, MN LUMBAR 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 MRI lumbar spine | $1,219.15 | $3,295.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Allina Health Faribault Medical Center Faribualt · Faribault-Northfield, MN HCHG RAD MRI SPINE LUMBAR 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 LUMBAR 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 LUMBAR WO LIMITED | $1,240.46 | $2,215.10 | Jun 16, 2026 source file |
| Owatonna Hospital Owatonna · Owatonna, MN HCHG RAD MRI SPINE LUMBAR WO LIMITED | $1,240.46 | $2,215.10 | Jun 16, 2026 source file |
| Riverwood Healthcare Center Aitkin · Aitkin, MN HC MRI, LUMBAR SPINE - MRI LUMBAR SPINE WO CONTRAST | $1,308.16 | $2,336.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Meeker County Memorial Hospital Litchfield · Litchfield, MN MRI LUMBAR SPINE ROUTINE WO CONTRAST | $1,373.44 | $2,146.00 | Dec 28, 2025 source file |
| Lakewood Health System Staples · Staples, MN MRI scan of lower spinal canal without contrast | $1,409.88 | $2,274.00 | Sep 11, 2026 source file |
| Lifecare Medical Center Roseau · Roseau, MN MRI scan of lower spinal canal without contrast | $1,496.00 | $1,700.00 | Aug 5, 2026 source file |
| Hutchinson Hospital Hutchinson · Hutchinson, MN MRI lumbar spine | $1,497.76 | $3,256.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Alomere Health Alexandria · Alexandria, MN MRI LUMBAR SPINE ROUTINE WO CONTRAST | $1,615.88 | $2,786.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Essentia Health Virginia Virginia · Duluth, MN-WI MRI L SPINE WO CONTRAST | $1,778.50 | $2,832.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Cuyuna Regional Medical Center Crosby · Brainerd, MN HCHG RAD MRI SPINE LUMBAR 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 L SPINE WO CONTRAST | $1,852.81 | $2,886.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Essentia Health Duluth Duluth · Duluth, MN-WI MRI L SPINE WO CONTRAST | $1,869.12 | $2,832.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Essentia Health St. Mary's Children's Hospital Duluth · Duluth, MN-WI MRI L SPINE WO CONTRAST | $1,869.12 | $2,832.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Essentia Health St. Mary's Medical Center Duluth · Duluth, MN-WI MRI L SPINE WO CONTRAST | $1,869.12 | $2,832.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Glencoe Regional Health Glencoe · Hutchinson, MN HCHG RAD MRI SPINE LUMBAR WO | $1,876.73 | $1,876.73 | Jul 20, 2026 source file |
| The Cook Hospital Cook · Duluth, MN-WI MR lumbar spine wo con | $1,908.39 | $2,891.50 | Aug 10, 2026 source file |
| Essentia Health St. Joseph's Medical Center Brainerd · Brainerd, MN MRI L SPINE WO CONTRAST | $1,942.28 | $2,886.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| St. Joseph's Area Health Services Park Rapids · Park Rapids, MN LUMBAR SPINE COMP WO CONT | $1,965.04 | $3,509.00 | Sep 30, 2026 source file |
| Astera Health Wadena · Wadena, MN MRI Lumbar Spine Routine WO Contrast | $1,979.63 | $2,741.87 | Feb 20, 2026 source file |
| Essentia Health Ada Ada · Ada, MN MRI L SPINE WO CONTRAST | $2,092.85 | $2,832.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Essentia Health Deer River Deer River · Grand Rapids, MN MRI L SPINE WO CONTRAST | $2,092.85 | $2,832.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Essentia Health Fosston Fosston · Grand Forks, ND-MN MRI L SPINE WO CONTRAST | $2,092.85 | $2,832.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Essentia Health Holy Trinity Hospital Graceville · Graceville, MN MRI L SPINE WO CONTRAST | $2,092.85 | $2,832.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Essentia Health Moose Lake Moose Lake · Duluth, MN-WI MRI L SPINE WO CONTRAST | $2,092.85 | $2,832.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Essentia Health Northern Pines Aurora · Duluth, MN-WI MRI L SPINE WO CONTRAST | $2,092.85 | $2,832.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Essentia Health Sandstone Sandstone · Sandstone, MN MRI L SPINE WO CONTRAST | $2,092.85 | $2,832.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Perham Health Perham · Fergus Falls, MN MRI scan of lower spinal canal without contrast | $2,122.90 | $3,266.00 | Feb 1, 2026 source file |
| Unity Family Healthcare Little Falls · Little Falls, MN MRI LUMBAR SPINE ROUTINE WO CONTRAST | $2,123.38 | $3,661.00 | Sep 30, 2026 source file |
| Saint Elizabeth’s Hospital of Wabasha Wabasha · Rochester, MN HCHG 72148 MRI-LUMBAR SPINE W/O CONTRAST | $2,140.03 | $3,514.00 | Jun 27, 2026 source file |
| Ortonville Area Health Services Ortonville · Ortonville, MN MRI L SPINE WO CONTRAST | $2,142.00 | $2,520.00 | Jun 18, 2026 source file |
| Community Memorial Hospital Cloquet · Duluth, MN-WI MRI LUMBAR SPINE W/O CONTRAST | $2,170.24 | $3,391.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| County of Murray Slayton · Slayton, MN MRI L SPINE WO CONTRAST | $2,179.45 | $3,353.00 | Nov 2, 2026 source file |
| Olivia Hospital Olivia · Olivia, MN MRI lumbar spine | $2,179.53 | $3,573.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Glacial Ridge Hospital Glenwood · Glenwood, MN MRI scan of lower spinal canal without contrast | $2,278.60 | $2,712.62 | Oct 21, 2026 source file |
| Stevens Community Medical Center Morris · Morris, MN MRI scan of lower spinal canal without contrast | $2,306.25 | $3,075.00 | Jun 26, 2026 source file |
| Madison Hospital Madison · Madison, MN MRI LUMBAR SPINE ROUTINE WO CONTRAST | $2,358.75 | $2,775.00 | Jun 23, 2026 source file |
| St. Francis Medical Center Breckenridge · Wahpeton, ND-MN LUMBAR SPINE COMP WO CONT | $2,371.07 | $3,887.00 | Sep 30, 2026 source file |
| Aspirus St. Luke’s Hospital Duluth · Duluth, MN-WI L Spine MRI Without Contrast | $2,467.58 | $4,536.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Johnson Memorial Hospital Dawson · Dawson, MN MRI LUMBAR SPINE ROUTINE WO CONTRAST | $2,487.97 | $2,927.02 | Sep 8, 2026 source file |
| Lakewood Health Center Baudette · Baudette, MN LUMBAR SPINE COMP WO CONT | $2,488.64 | $4,444.00 | Sep 30, 2026 source file |
| Bigfork Valley Hospital Bigfork · Grand Rapids, MN LUMBAR SPINE W/O CONTRAST | $2,529.23 | $3,562.30 | Sep 15, 2026 source file |
| Sanford Thief River Falls Medical Center Thief River Falls · Thief River Falls, MN MRI L SPINE WO CONTRAST | $2,757.60 | $3,447.00 | Mar 4, 2026 source file |
| Kittson Healthcare Hallock · Hallock, MN MRI L SPINE WO CONTRAST | $2,778.00 | $2,778.00 | Jun 26, 2026 source file |
| Appleton Area Health Appleton · Appleton, MN MRI scan of lower spinal canal without contrast | $2,782.90 | $3,274.00 | Jul 7, 2026 source file |
| Welia Health Mora · Mora, MN HCHG RAD MRI SPINE LUMBAR WO | $2,791.60 | $3,988.00 | Apr 27, 2026 source file |
| Sanford Wheaton Wheaton · Wheaton, MN MRI L SPINE WO CONTRAST | $2,809.60 | $3,512.00 | Mar 4, 2026 source file |
| Mille Lacs Health System Onamia · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI MRI L SPINE W/O | $2,816.80 | $4,024.00 | Aug 13, 2026 source file |
| Rainy Lake Medical Center International Falls · International Falls, MN MRI L SPINE WO CONTRAST | $2,867.22 | $3,723.65 | May 6, 2026 source file |
| Sanford Bagley Medical Center Bagley · Bagley, MN MRI L SPINE WO CONTRAST | $2,872.80 | $3,591.00 | Mar 4, 2026 source file |
| Sanford Bemidji Medical Center Bemidji · Bemidji, MN MRI L SPINE WO CONTRAST | $2,872.80 | $3,591.00 | Mar 4, 2026 source file |
| Sanford Luverne Medical Center Luverne · Sioux Falls, SD-MN MRI L SPINE WO CONTRAST | $2,875.20 | $3,594.00 | Mar 4, 2026 source file |
| Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital Ely · Duluth, MN-WI MRI scan of lower spinal canal without contrast | $3,013.20 | $3,720.00 | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Sanford Worthington Medical Center Worthington · Worthington, MN MRI L SPINE WO CONTRAST | $3,168.80 | $3,961.00 | Mar 4, 2026 source file |
| Sanford Tracy Hospital Tracy · Marshall, MN MRI L SPINE WO CONTRAST | $3,189.60 | $3,987.00 | Mar 4, 2026 source file |
| Sanford Westbrook Hospital Westbrook · Westbrook, MN MRI L SPINE WO CONTRAST | $3,189.60 | $3,987.00 | Mar 4, 2026 source file |
| Sanford Jackson Hospital Jackson · Jackson, MN MRI L SPINE WO CONTRAST | $3,192.00 | $3,990.00 | Mar 4, 2026 source file |
| Sanford Canby Medical Center Canby · Canby, MN MRI L SPINE WO CONTRAST | $3,237.60 | $4,047.00 | Mar 4, 2026 source file |
| Childrens Health Care Minneapolis · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI MRI SPINE LUMBAR WO CONT | $3,241.00 | $3,241.00 | May 7, 2026 source file |
| North Valley Health Center Warren · Grand Forks, ND-MN MRI scan of lower spinal canal without contrast | $3,289.00 | $3,289.00 | Oct 22, 2026 source file |
| Aspirus Lake View Hospital Two Harbors · Two Harbors, MN L Spine MRI Without Contrast | $3,733.13 | $4,536.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Mahnomen Health Center Mahnomen · Mahnomen, MN MRI L SPINE WO CONTRAST | $3,825.00 | $4,250.00 | Jul 16, 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 | $223.34 | $759.90 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | 11 | $805.38 | $1,908.39 |
| Grand Rapids, MN | 3 | $805.38 | $2,092.85 |
| Brainerd, MN | 2 | $1,844.84 | $1,893.56 |
| Faribault-Northfield, MN | 2 | $1,002.00 | $1,121.23 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | 2 | $2,092.85 | $2,690.92 |
| Hutchinson, MN | 2 | $1,497.76 | $1,687.24 |
| New Ulm, MN | 2 | $908.32 | $1,049.18 |
| Ada, MN | 1 | $2,092.85 | $2,092.85 |
| Aitkin, MN | 1 | $1,308.16 | $1,308.16 |
| Appleton, MN | 1 | $2,782.90 | $2,782.90 |
| Alexandria, MN | 1 | $1,615.88 | $1,615.88 |
| Bagley, MN | 1 | $2,872.80 | $2,872.80 |
| Baudette, MN | 1 | $2,488.64 | $2,488.64 |
| Bemidji, MN | 1 | $2,872.80 | $2,872.80 |
| Canby, MN | 1 | $3,237.60 | $3,237.60 |
| Dawson, MN | 1 | $2,487.97 | $2,487.97 |
| Detroit Lakes, MN | 1 | $1,852.81 | $1,852.81 |
| Fergus Falls, MN | 1 | $2,122.90 | $2,122.90 |
| Glenwood, MN | 1 | $2,278.60 | $2,278.60 |
| Graceville, MN | 1 | $2,092.85 | $2,092.85 |
| Hallock, MN | 1 | $2,778.00 | $2,778.00 |
| International Falls, MN | 1 | $2,867.22 | $2,867.22 |
| Jackson, MN | 1 | $3,192.00 | $3,192.00 |
| Litchfield, MN | 1 | $1,373.44 | $1,373.44 |
| Little Falls, MN | 1 | $2,123.38 | $2,123.38 |
| Madison, MN | 1 | $2,358.75 | $2,358.75 |
| Mahnomen, MN | 1 | $3,825.00 | $3,825.00 |
| Mora, MN | 1 | $2,791.60 | $2,791.60 |
| Morris, MN | 1 | $2,306.25 | $2,306.25 |
| Marshall, MN | 1 | $3,189.60 | $3,189.60 |
| 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 | $1,965.04 | $1,965.04 |
| Roseau, MN | 1 | $1,496.00 | $1,496.00 |
| Rochester, MN | 1 | $2,140.03 | $2,140.03 |
| Sandstone, MN | 1 | $2,092.85 | $2,092.85 |
| Slayton, MN | 1 | $2,179.45 | $2,179.45 |
| Staples, MN | 1 | $1,409.88 | $1,409.88 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | 1 | $2,875.20 | $2,875.20 |
| Thief River Falls, MN | 1 | $2,757.60 | $2,757.60 |
| Two Harbors, MN | 1 | $3,733.13 | $3,733.13 |
| Wadena, MN | 1 | $1,979.63 | $1,979.63 |
| Westbrook, MN | 1 | $3,189.60 | $3,189.60 |
| Wheaton, MN | 1 | $2,809.60 | $2,809.60 |
| Wahpeton, ND-MN | 1 | $2,371.07 | $2,371.07 |
| Worthington, MN | 1 | $3,168.80 | $3,168.80 |
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
- Louisiana$1,032.62
- Maine$1,419.25
- Maryland$495.14
- Massachusetts$1,805.25
- Michigan$1,806.88
- 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.