Lower back MRI with contrast cost in Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, 64 hospitals publish a cash price for MRI of the lower back, without and then with contrast dye: from $256.20 to $12,395.50, with a median of $2,915.10. The lowest price is at UPMC Kane (Kane). The highest price is 48.4× the lowest.
Outpatient cash prices, one line per hospital — its lowest listed price for code 72158. Prices for both sides of the body and inpatient prices are not mixed in. Collected Sep 25, 2026.
Lowest$256.20UPMC Kane
Median$2,915.10half pay less
Highest$12,395.50in Pennsylvania
Lowest saves$2,658.90vs the median
Hospitals in Pennsylvania, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | File date |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPMC Kane lowest Kane · Bradford, PA PF MR LUMBAR WO/W | $256.20 | $427.00 | — source file |
| Penn Highlands Dubois DuBois · DuBois, PA MRI Spine Lumbar w/ + w/o Contrast - Report | $309.00 | $309.00 | Aug 1, 2025 source file |
| Lower Bucks Hospital Bristol · Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD Hc Mri, Lumbar Spine Combo | $343.00 | $4,719.60 | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Roxborough Memorial Hospital Philadelphia · Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD Hc Mri, Lumbar Spine Combo | $356.00 | $5,552.49 | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Penn State Health Holy Spirit Medical Center Camp Hill · Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA 72158 MRI LUMBAR SPINE W/O & W/DYE Tech | $426.68 | $1,786.00 | — source file |
| St Joseph Regional Health Network Reading · Reading, PA MRI Spine Lumbar w/ + w/o Contrast | $464.54 | $1,786.00 | — source file |
| Penn State Health Lancaster Medical Center Lancaster · Lancaster, PA 72158 MRI LUMBAR SPINE W/O & W/DYE Tech | $517.76 | $1,786.00 | — source file |
| Penn State Health Hampden Medical Center Enola · Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA 72158 MRI LUMBAR SPINE W/O & W/DYE Tech | $562.05 | $1,786.00 | — source file |
| Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center Hershey · Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA MRI Spine Lumbar w/ + w/o Contrast - Report | $591.70 | $1,786.00 | — source file |
| Chambersburg Hospital Chambersburg · Chambersburg, PA MRI Scan of Lower Spinal Canal Before and After Contrast | $700.50 | $2,646.00 | — source file |
| Ephrata Community Hospital Ephrata · Lancaster, PA MRI Scan of Lower Spinal Canal Before and After Contrast | $700.50 | $2,646.00 | — source file |
| Evangelical Community Hospital Lewisburg · Lewisburg, PA MRI Scan of Lower Spinal Canal Before and After Contrast | $700.50 | $7,222.00 | — source file |
| Gettysburg Hospital Gettysburg · Gettysburg, PA MRI Scan of Lower Spinal Canal Before and After Contrast | $700.50 | $2,646.00 | — source file |
| Good Samaritan Hospital Lebanon · Lebanon, PA MRI Scan of Lower Spinal Canal Before and After Contrast | $700.50 | $2,646.00 | — source file |
| Waynesboro Hospital Waynesboro · Chambersburg, PA MRI Scan of Lower Spinal Canal Before and After Contrast | $700.50 | $2,646.00 | — source file |
| WellSpan Surgery and Rehabilitation Hospital York · York-Hanover, PA MRI Scan of Lower Spinal Canal Before and After Contrast | $700.50 | $2,646.00 | — source file |
| Uniontown Hospital Uniontown · Pittsburgh, PA MRI SCAN OF LOWER SPINAL CANAL BEFORE AND AFTER CONTRAST | $1,010.50 | $2,021.00 | — source file |
| Punxsutawney Area Hospital Punxsutawney · Punxsutawney, PA MRI LUMBAR SPINE W/WO CO 72158 | $1,265.40 | $3,515.00 | Mar 2, 2026 source file |
| UPMC Cole Coudersport · Coudersport, PA MRI LUMBAR SPINE W/WO CONT | $1,907.40 | $3,179.00 | — source file |
| UPMC Greene Waynesburg · Waynesburg, PA MRI LUMBAR SPINE W&W/O CONTRAS | $2,125.24 | $3,036.05 | — source file |
| UPMC Washington Washington · Pittsburgh, PA MRI LUMBAR SPINE W&W/O CONTRAS | $2,125.24 | $3,036.05 | — source file |
| UPMC Hamot Erie · Erie, PA MR SP CANAL LUMBAR W WO | $2,536.20 | $4,227.00 | — source file |
| Highlands Hospital Connellsville · Pittsburgh, PA MRI LUMBAR W/WO CONTRAST | $2,594.40 | $4,324.00 | — source file |
| Monogahela Valley Hospital Monongahela · Pittsburgh, PA MRI LUMBAR W/WO | $2,594.40 | $4,324.00 | — source file |
| UPMC Carlisle Carlisle · Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA HC MRI Lumbar W/Wo Contrast | $2,713.80 | $4,523.00 | — source file |
| UPMC Hanover Hanover · York-Hanover, PA HC MRI Lumbar W/Wo Contrast | $2,713.80 | $4,523.00 | — source file |
| UPMC Lititz Lititz · Lancaster, PA HC MRI Lumbar W/Wo Contrast | $2,713.80 | $4,523.00 | — source file |
| UPMC Memorial York · York-Hanover, PA HC MRI Lumbar W/Wo Contrast | $2,713.80 | $4,523.00 | — source file |
| UPMC Pinnacle Hospitals Harrisburg · Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA HC MRI Lumbar W/Wo Contrast | $2,713.80 | $4,523.00 | — source file |
| UPMC Somerset Somerset · Somerset, PA HC MRI Lumbar W/Wo Contrast | $2,713.80 | $4,523.00 | — source file |
| St Mary Medical Center Langhorne · Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD HC MRI Lumbar Spine W/O & W/Contrast | $2,768.35 | $4,259.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| UPMC Bedford Everett · Everett, PA MR SP CANAL LUMBAR W WO | $2,884.20 | $4,807.00 | — source file |
| UPMC Jameson New Castle · Pittsburgh, PA MR SP CANAL LUMBAR W WO | $2,946.00 | $4,910.00 | — source file |
| Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Hospital Malvern · Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD Hc Mri Lumbar Spine W/Wo Contrast | $3,330.40 | $8,326.00 | — source file |
| Lankenau Medical Center Wynnewood · Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD Hc Mri Lumbar Spine W/Wo Contrast | $3,330.40 | $8,326.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Paoli Hospital Paoli · Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD Hc Mri Lumbar Spine W/Wo Contrast | $3,330.40 | $8,326.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Riddle Memorial Hospital Media · Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD Hc Mri Lumbar Spine W/Wo Contrast | $3,330.40 | $8,326.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| The Bryn Mawr Hospital Bryn Mawr · Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD Hc Mri Lumbar Spine W/Wo Contrast | $3,330.40 | $8,326.00 | — source file |
| UPMC Horizon - Greenville Greenville · Hermitage, PA MR SP CANAL LUMBAR W WO | $3,601.80 | $6,003.00 | — source file |
| AHN Wexford Hospital Wexford · Pittsburgh, PA HC MRI LUMB SPINE W/WO CNTRST | $3,765.86 | $5,089.00 | Apr 14, 2026 source file |
| UPMC Northwest Seneca · Oil City, PA MR SP CANAL LUMBAR W WO | $3,827.40 | $6,379.00 | — source file |
| West Penn Hospital Pittsburgh · Pittsburgh, PA HC MRI LUMB SPINE W/WO CNTRST | $3,910.61 | $5,357.00 | Apr 14, 2026 source file |
| UPMC Wellsboro Wellsboro · Wellsboro, PA MR SP CANAL LUMBAR W WO | $4,010.40 | $6,684.00 | — source file |
| UPMC Williamsport Williamsport · Williamsport, PA MR SP CANAL LUMBAR W WO | $4,010.40 | $6,684.00 | — source file |
| Jefferson Regional Medical Center Jefferson Hills · Pittsburgh, PA HC MRI LUMB SPINE W/WO CNTRST | $4,122.09 | $5,089.00 | Apr 14, 2026 source file |
| Penn Highlands Brookville Brookville · Brookville, PA MRI Spine Lumbar w/ + w/o Contrast | $4,324.00 | $4,324.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Penn Highlands Elk Saint Marys · St. Marys, PA MRI Spine Lumbar w/ + w/o Contrast | $4,324.00 | $4,324.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Penn Highlands Huntingdon Huntingdon · Huntingdon, PA MRI Spine Lumbar w/ + w/o Contrast | $4,324.00 | $4,324.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Penn Highlands Tyrone Tyrone · Altoona, PA MRI Spine Lumbar w/ + w/o Contrast | $4,324.00 | $4,324.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital Darby · Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD HC MRI Lumbar Spine W/O & W/Contrast | $4,592.25 | $7,065.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| UPMC Childrens Hospital of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh · Pittsburgh, PA MR SP CANAL LUMBAR W WO | $4,748.40 | $7,914.00 | Mar 6, 2026 source file |
| Troy Community Hospital Troy · Sayre, PA MRI L Spine W/WO Contr | $4,957.80 | $6,197.25 | — source file |
| UPMC St Margaret Pittsburgh · Pittsburgh, PA MR SP CANAL LUMBAR W WO | $5,810.40 | $9,684.00 | — source file |
| UPMC Passavant - McCandless Pittsburgh · Pittsburgh, PA HC MR SP CANAL LUMBAR W WO | $5,999.40 | $9,999.00 | — source file |
| UPMC McKeesport McKeesport · Pittsburgh, PA MR SP CANAL LUMBAR W WO | $6,049.20 | $10,082.00 | — source file |
| Nazareth Hospital Philadelphia · Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD HC MRI Lumbar Spine W/O & W/Contrast | $6,115.20 | $9,408.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| UPMC East Monroeville · Pittsburgh, PA MR SP CANAL LUMBAR W WO | $6,218.40 | $10,364.00 | — source file |
| UPMC Mercy Pittsburgh · Pittsburgh, PA MR SP CANAL LUMBAR W WO | $6,512.40 | $10,854.00 | — source file |
| UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital Pittsburgh · Pittsburgh, PA HC MR SP CANAL LUMBAR W WO | $6,741.00 | $11,235.00 | — source file |
| Robert Packer Hospital Sayre · Sayre, PA MRI L Spine W/WO Contr | $7,050.47 | $8,813.09 | — source file |
| Robert Packer Hospital, Towanda Campus Towanda · Sayre, PA MRI L Spine W/WO Contr | $7,093.09 | $8,866.36 | — source file |
| Shriners Childrens - Philadelphia Philadelphia · Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD MRI LUMBAR SPINE W/O & W/DYE | $9,290.60 | $9,290.60 | — source file |
| UPMC Presbyterian Pittsburgh · Pittsburgh, PA MR SP CANAL LUMBAR W WO | $9,808.20 | $16,347.00 | Mar 6, 2026 source file |
| The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Philadelphia · Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD MRI L-Spine W+WO Contrast | $12,395.50 | $12,395.50 | — 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 | 16 | $1,010.50 | $4,435.24 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 12 | $343.00 | $3,330.40 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | 5 | $426.68 | $591.70 |
| Lancaster, PA | 3 | $517.76 | $700.50 |
| Sayre, PA | 3 | $4,957.80 | $7,050.47 |
| York-Hanover, PA | 3 | $700.50 | $2,713.80 |
| Chambersburg, PA | 2 | $700.50 | $700.50 |
| Altoona, PA | 1 | $4,324.00 | $4,324.00 |
| Brookville, PA | 1 | $4,324.00 | $4,324.00 |
| Bradford, PA | 1 | $256.20 | $256.20 |
| Coudersport, PA | 1 | $1,907.40 | $1,907.40 |
| DuBois, PA | 1 | $309.00 | $309.00 |
| Everett, PA | 1 | $2,884.20 | $2,884.20 |
| Erie, PA | 1 | $2,536.20 | $2,536.20 |
| Gettysburg, PA | 1 | $700.50 | $700.50 |
| Hermitage, PA | 1 | $3,601.80 | $3,601.80 |
| Huntingdon, PA | 1 | $4,324.00 | $4,324.00 |
| Lebanon, PA | 1 | $700.50 | $700.50 |
| Lewisburg, PA | 1 | $700.50 | $700.50 |
| Oil City, PA | 1 | $3,827.40 | $3,827.40 |
| Punxsutawney, PA | 1 | $1,265.40 | $1,265.40 |
| Reading, PA | 1 | $464.54 | $464.54 |
| Somerset, PA | 1 | $2,713.80 | $2,713.80 |
| St. Marys, PA | 1 | $4,324.00 | $4,324.00 |
| Waynesburg, PA | 1 | $2,125.24 | $2,125.24 |
| Wellsboro, PA | 1 | $4,010.40 | $4,010.40 |
| Williamsport, PA | 1 | $4,010.40 | $4,010.40 |
What it is
This MRI of the lumbar spine takes one set of pictures without contrast dye and a second set after the dye is injected into a vein. The dye helps tell scar tissue from a new disc problem after back surgery and can show infection, inflammation or tumors.
What the price covers
The hospital price usually covers both sets of images; the contrast agent may appear as a separate line on some bills. The radiologist's reading is often billed separately.
MRI of the lower back, without and then with contrast dye in other states
- Alabama$3,949.76
- Alaska$3,428.10
- Arizona$1,098.94
- Arkansas$902.85
- California$3,783.24
- Colorado$1,512.80
- Connecticut$2,411.27
- Delaware$3,788.10
- Florida$3,659.37
- Georgia$2,370.03
- Hawaii$2,037.60
- Idaho$2,263.00
- Illinois$2,767.50
- Indiana$1,527.41
- Iowa$2,413.35
- Kansas$3,053.70
- Kentucky$4,317.77
- Louisiana$1,252.26
- Maine$2,591.25
- Maryland$826.38
- Massachusetts$3,158.25
- Michigan$2,638.00
- Minnesota$1,861.38
- Mississippi$1,753.29
- Missouri$2,496.33
- Montana$2,787.34
- Nebraska$1,966.02
- Nevada$2,926.43
- New Hampshire$2,814.63
- New Jersey$476.54
- New Mexico$2,105.08
- New York$1,557.00
- North Carolina$2,656.05
- North Dakota$2,884.67
- Ohio$2,123.55
- Oklahoma$1,537.48
- Oregon$2,757.88
- Puerto Rico$985.00
- Rhode Island$1,823.70
- South Carolina$2,265.90
- South Dakota$4,207.60
- Tennessee$953.70
- Texas$3,196.33
- Utah$2,845.91
- Vermont$3,957.52
- Virginia$3,315.50
- Washington$3,206.98
- West Virginia$1,949.50
- Wisconsin$2,700.06
- Wyoming$1,841.03
Median cash price across the state's hospitals.