MRI of the lower back, no contrast dye cost in Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, 64 hospitals publish a cash price for MRI of the lower back, no contrast dye: from $198.00 to $8,657.97, with a median of $1,790.00. The lowest price is at Penn Highlands Dubois (Dubois). The highest price is 43.7× 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.
Lowest$198.00Penn Highlands Dubois
Median$1,790.00half pay less
Highest$8,657.97in Pennsylvania
Lowest saves$1,592.00vs the median
Hospitals in Pennsylvania, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | File date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Penn Highlands Dubois lowest Dubois · DuBois, PA MRI Spine Lumbar w/o Contrast - Report | $198.00 | $198.00 | Aug 1, 2025 source file |
| Lower Bucks Hospital Bristol · Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD Hc Mri, Lumbar Spine | $234.00 | $3,314.97 | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Roxborough Memorial Hospital East Norriton · Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD Hc Mri, Lumbar Spine | $243.00 | $3,950.55 | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Penn State Health Holy Spirit Medical Center Camp Hill · Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA 72148 MRI L SPINE W/WO CONTRAST Tech | $288.83 | $1,209.00 | — source file |
| St Joseph Regional Health Network Reading · Reading, PA MRI Spine Lumbar w/o Contrast | $314.46 | $1,209.00 | — source file |
| Penn State Health Lancaster Medical Center Lancaster · Lancaster, PA 72148 MRI L SPINE W/WO CONTRAST Tech | $350.49 | $1,209.00 | — source file |
| Penn State Health Hampden Medical Center Enola · Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA 72148 MRI LUMBAR SPINE W/O DYE Tech | $380.47 | $1,209.00 | — source file |
| Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center Hershey · Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA MRI* L SPINE W/WO CONTRAST | $400.54 | $1,209.00 | — source file |
| Chambersburg Hospital Chambersburg · Chambersburg, PA MRI Scan of Lower Spinal Canal Without Contrast | $454.00 | $2,225.00 | — source file |
| Ephrata Community Hospital Ephrata · Lancaster, PA MRI Scan of Lower Spinal Canal Without Contrast | $454.00 | $2,225.00 | — source file |
| Evangelical Community Hospital Lewisburg · Lewisburg, PA MRI Scan of Lower Spinal Canal Without Contrast | $454.00 | $4,527.25 | — source file |
| Gettysburg Hospital Gettysburg · Gettysburg, PA MRI Scan of Lower Spinal Canal Without Contrast | $454.00 | $2,225.00 | — source file |
| Good Samaritan Hospital Lebanon · Lebanon, PA MRI Scan of Lower Spinal Canal Without Contrast | $454.00 | $2,225.00 | — source file |
| Waynesboro Hospital Waynesboro · Chambersburg, PA MRI Scan of Lower Spinal Canal Without Contrast | $454.00 | $2,225.00 | — source file |
| WellSpan Surgery and Rehabilitation Hospital York · York-Hanover, PA MRI Scan of Lower Spinal Canal Without Contrast | $454.00 | $2,225.00 | — source file |
| Punxsutawney Area Hospital Punxsutawney · Punxsutawney, PA MRI LUMBAR SPINE W/0 CON 72148 | $621.36 | $1,726.00 | Mar 2, 2026 source file |
| Uniontown Hospital Uniontown · Pittsburgh, PA MRI SCAN OF LOWER SPINAL CANAL WITHOUT CONTRAST | $631.50 | $1,263.00 | — source file |
| UPMC Cole Coudersport · Coudersport, PA MRI LUMBAR SPINE W/O CONTRAST | $1,032.00 | $1,720.00 | — source file |
| UPMC Jameson New Castle · Pittsburgh, PA MR SP CANAL LUMBAR WO | $1,519.80 | $2,533.00 | — source file |
| UPMC Greene Waynesburg · Waynesburg, PA MRI LUMBAR SPINE W/O CONTRAST | $1,554.42 | $2,220.60 | — source file |
| UPMC Washington Washington · Pittsburgh, PA MRI LUMBAR SPINE W/O CONTRAST | $1,554.42 | $2,220.60 | — source file |
| UPMC Hamot Erie · Erie, PA MR SP CANAL LUMBAR WO | $1,623.00 | $2,705.00 | — source file |
| UPMC Carlisle Carlisle · Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA HC MRI Lumbar W/O Contrast | $1,656.00 | $2,760.00 | — source file |
| UPMC Hanover Hanover · York-Hanover, PA HC MRI Lumbar W/O Contrast | $1,656.00 | $2,760.00 | — source file |
| UPMC Lititz Lititz · Lancaster, PA HC MRI Lumbar W/O Contrast | $1,656.00 | $2,760.00 | — source file |
| UPMC Memorial York · York-Hanover, PA HC MRI Lumbar W/O Contrast | $1,656.00 | $2,760.00 | — source file |
| UPMC Pinnacle Hospitals Harrisburg · Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA HC MRI Lumbar W/O Contrast | $1,656.00 | $2,760.00 | — source file |
| UPMC Somerset Somerset · Somerset, PA HC MRI Lumbar W/O Contrast | $1,656.00 | $2,760.00 | — source file |
| UPMC Bedford Everett · Everett, PA MR SP CANAL LUMBAR WO | $1,705.20 | $2,842.00 | — source file |
| Highlands Hospital Connellsville · Pittsburgh, PA MRI L SPINE W/O | $1,755.60 | $2,926.00 | — source file |
| Monogahela Valley Hospital Monongahela · Pittsburgh, PA MRI LUMBAR SPINE W/O CONT | $1,755.60 | $2,926.00 | — source file |
| Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Hospital Malvern · Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD Hc Mri Lumbar Spine W/O Contrst | $1,790.00 | $4,475.00 | — source file |
| Lankenau Medical Center Wynnewood · Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD Hc Mri Lumbar Spine W/O Contrst | $1,790.00 | $4,475.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Paoli Hospital Paoli · Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD Hc Mri Lumbar Spine W/O Contrst | $1,790.00 | $4,475.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Riddle Memorial Hospital Media · Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD Hc Mri Lumbar Spine W/O Contrst | $1,790.00 | $4,475.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| The Bryn Mawr Hospital Bryn Mawr · Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD Hc Mri Lumbar Spine W/O Contrst | $1,790.00 | $4,475.00 | — source file |
| West Penn Allegheny Health System INC Wexford · Pittsburgh, PA HC MRI LUMB SPINE WO CNTRST | $2,039.44 | $2,756.00 | Apr 14, 2026 source file |
| St Mary Medical Center Langhorne · Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD HC MRI Lumbar Spine W/O Contrast | $2,143.05 | $3,297.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| UPMC Northwest Seneca · Oil City, PA MR SP CANAL LUMBAR WO | $2,205.00 | $3,675.00 | — source file |
| Jefferson Regional Medical Center Jefferson Hills · Pittsburgh, PA HC MRI LUMB SPINE WO CNTRST | $2,232.36 | $2,756.00 | Apr 14, 2026 source file |
| UPMC Kane Kane · Bradford, PA MR LUMBAR WO | $2,338.80 | $3,898.00 | — source file |
| Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital Darby · Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD HC MRI Lumbar Spine W/O Contrast | $2,369.25 | $3,645.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Saint Vincent Health Center Erie · Erie, PA HC MRI LUMB SPINE WO CNTRST | $2,378.82 | $2,901.00 | Apr 14, 2026 source file |
| UPMC Wellsboro Wellsboro · Wellsboro, PA MR SP CANAL LUMBAR WO | $2,514.00 | $4,190.00 | — source file |
| UPMC Williamsport Williamsport · Williamsport, PA MR SP CANAL LUMBAR WO | $2,514.00 | $4,190.00 | — source file |
| Nazareth Hospital Philadelphia · Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD HC MRI Lumbar Spine W/O Contrast | $2,876.25 | $4,425.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Penn Highlands Brookville Brookville · Brookville, PA MRI Spine Lumbar w/o Contrast | $2,926.00 | $2,926.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Penn Highlands Elk Saint Marys · St. Marys, PA MRI Spine Lumbar w/o Contrast | $2,926.00 | $2,926.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Penn Highlands Huntingdon Huntingdon · Huntingdon, PA MRI Spine Lumbar w/o Contrast | $2,926.00 | $2,926.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Penn Highlands Tyrone Tyrone · Altoona, PA MRI Spine Lumbar w/o Contrast | $2,926.00 | $2,926.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| UPMC Childrens Hospital of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh · Pittsburgh, PA MR SP CANAL LUMBAR WO | $3,091.80 | $5,153.00 | Mar 6, 2026 source file |
| Troy Community Hospital Incorporated Troy · Sayre, PA MRI L-Spine WO Contrast | $3,425.20 | $4,281.50 | — source file |
| UPMC St Margaret Pittsburgh · Pittsburgh, PA MR SP CANAL LUMBAR WO | $3,682.80 | $6,138.00 | — source file |
| UPMC Passavant - McCandless Pittsburgh · Pittsburgh, PA HC MR SP CANAL LUMBAR WO | $3,801.60 | $6,336.00 | — source file |
| UPMC McKeesport McKeesport · Pittsburgh, PA MR SP CANAL LUMBAR WO | $3,834.60 | $6,391.00 | — source file |
| UPMC East Monroeville · Pittsburgh, PA MR SP CANAL LUMBAR WO | $3,940.80 | $6,568.00 | — source file |
| UPMC Mercy Pittsburgh · Pittsburgh, PA MR SP CANAL LUMBAR WO | $4,125.00 | $6,875.00 | — source file |
| Robert Packer Hospital Sayre · Sayre, PA MRI L-Spine WO Contrast | $4,221.84 | $5,277.30 | — source file |
| ROBERT PACKER HOSPITAL Doing Business As: ROBERT PACKER HOSPITAL, TOWANDA CAMPUS Towanda · Sayre, PA MRI L-Spine WO Contrast | $4,247.36 | $5,309.20 | — source file |
| UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital Pittsburgh · Pittsburgh, PA HC MR SP CANAL LUMBAR WO | $4,272.00 | $7,120.00 | — source file |
| UPMC Horizon - Greenville Greenville · Hermitage, PA MR SP CANAL LUMBAR WO | $4,861.20 | $8,102.00 | — source file |
| Shriners Childrens - Philadelphia Philadelphia · Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD MRI LUMBAR SPINE W/O DYE | $6,065.00 | $6,065.00 | — source file |
| UPMC Presbyterian Pittsburgh · Pittsburgh, PA MR SP CANAL LUMBAR WO | $6,214.20 | $10,357.00 | Mar 6, 2026 source file |
| Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, The Philadelphia · Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD MRI L-Spine W/O Contrast | $8,657.97 | $8,657.97 | — source file |
By metro area
Each metro page compares every listing, including prices for both sides of the body.
| Metro area | Hospitals | Lowest | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh, PA | 15 | $631.50 | $3,091.80 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 12 | $234.00 | $1,790.00 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | 5 | $288.83 | $400.54 |
| Lancaster, PA | 3 | $350.49 | $454.00 |
| Sayre, PA | 3 | $3,425.20 | $4,221.84 |
| York-Hanover, PA | 3 | $454.00 | $1,656.00 |
| Chambersburg, PA | 2 | $454.00 | $454.00 |
| Erie, PA | 2 | $1,623.00 | $2,000.91 |
| Altoona, PA | 1 | $2,926.00 | $2,926.00 |
| Brookville, PA | 1 | $2,926.00 | $2,926.00 |
| Bradford, PA | 1 | $2,338.80 | $2,338.80 |
| Coudersport, PA | 1 | $1,032.00 | $1,032.00 |
| DuBois, PA | 1 | $198.00 | $198.00 |
| Everett, PA | 1 | $1,705.20 | $1,705.20 |
| Gettysburg, PA | 1 | $454.00 | $454.00 |
| Hermitage, PA | 1 | $4,861.20 | $4,861.20 |
| Huntingdon, PA | 1 | $2,926.00 | $2,926.00 |
| Lebanon, PA | 1 | $454.00 | $454.00 |
| Lewisburg, PA | 1 | $454.00 | $454.00 |
| Oil City, PA | 1 | $2,205.00 | $2,205.00 |
| Punxsutawney, PA | 1 | $621.36 | $621.36 |
| Reading, PA | 1 | $314.46 | $314.46 |
| Somerset, PA | 1 | $1,656.00 | $1,656.00 |
| St. Marys, PA | 1 | $2,926.00 | $2,926.00 |
| Waynesburg, PA | 1 | $1,554.42 | $1,554.42 |
| Wellsboro, PA | 1 | $2,514.00 | $2,514.00 |
| Williamsport, PA | 1 | $2,514.00 | $2,514.00 |
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
- 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
- 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
- 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.