Mri scan of upper spinal canal before and after contrast
Medicare pricing data for 18,459 providers across 52 states
This procedure has a 7.2x markup — hospitals charge $1,082 but Medicare allows only $149.55. Uninsured patients may face bills 7.2 times higher than what insurance negotiates. Prices vary significantly by location — from $114 in Vermont to $263 in Puerto Rico. Where you get this procedure matters more than almost any other factor. Note: These costs reflect the Medicare physician/supplier component. Hospital facility fees are billed separately and can be 2-5x the physician fee.
💡 What You Should Know
Mri scan of upper spinal canal before and after contrast (HCPCS code 72156) is a medical procedure billed to Medicare. The average Medicare-allowed cost is $149.55, but hospitals typically charge $1,082 — a 7.2x markup. Prices vary significantly by state and provider.
🏷️ Typical Out-of-Pocket Cost
Medicare patients typically pay about 20% of the allowed amount as coinsurance. Based on the average allowed cost of $149.55, your out-of-pocket cost would be approximately $29.91. Actual costs depend on your specific plan, deductible, and whether you've met your annual out-of-pocket maximum.
What Hospitals Charge vs. What Medicare Pays
Hospitals charge 7.2x more than what Medicare allows for this procedure. Medicare actually pays $116.45 on average.
Cost by State
Medicare-allowed amounts vary significantly by state
| State | Allowed Cost | Hospital Charge | Providers | Services | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puerto Rico | $263 | $463 | 27 | 51 | +75.9% |
| New Jersey | $203 | $1,394 | 437 | 2,665 | +35.8% |
| Maryland | $192 | $1,151 | 370 | 2,938 | +28.3% |
| Alaska | $191 | $2,055 | 66 | 398 | +27.7% |
| District of Columbia | $182 | $1,054 | 52 | 528 | +21.7% |
| Florida | $181 | $1,481 | 1,243 | 7,792 | +21.0% |
| Nevada | $178 | $1,302 | 158 | 786 | +19.1% |
| California | $174 | $1,251 | 1,683 | 10,505 | +16.4% |
| New York | $169 | $1,314 | 1,026 | 9,349 | +13.2% |
| Arizona | $165 | $1,324 | 339 | 2,627 | +10.1% |
| Wyoming | $164 | $1,353 | 48 | 183 | +9.4% |
| Hawaii | $162 | $838 | 50 | 180 | +8.6% |
| Minnesota | $161 | $1,485 | 627 | 4,136 | +7.8% |
| Massachusetts | $154 | $1,066 | 522 | 4,533 | +2.9% |
| Connecticut | $149 | $987 | 264 | 1,587 | -0.1% |
| Texas | $149 | $1,181 | 1,211 | 9,246 | -0.6% |
| Virginia | $148 | $1,434 | 482 | 3,620 | -0.8% |
| Alabama | $146 | $819 | 341 | 1,473 | -2.2% |
| Colorado | $144 | $878 | 333 | 2,159 | -3.5% |
| Delaware | $144 | $842 | 66 | 496 | -3.6% |
| Rhode Island | $144 | $802 | 56 | 585 | -4.0% |
| South Carolina | $143 | $1,122 | 351 | 2,301 | -4.6% |
| Tennessee | $143 | $1,047 | 495 | 2,747 | -4.7% |
| Washington | $142 | $805 | 408 | 2,494 | -5.1% |
| Louisiana | $142 | $995 | 307 | 1,439 | -5.2% |
| Georgia | $141 | $1,019 | 519 | 2,772 | -5.4% |
| New Mexico | $138 | $982 | 90 | 411 | -7.5% |
| North Carolina | $135 | $1,018 | 677 | 4,103 | -9.9% |
| Indiana | $134 | $934 | 351 | 1,875 | -10.4% |
| Illinois | $133 | $1,012 | 782 | 5,292 | -11.2% |
| Oregon | $133 | $735 | 222 | 1,432 | -11.3% |
| Kansas | $130 | $663 | 205 | 1,160 | -13.1% |
| Pennsylvania | $129 | $773 | 843 | 5,090 | -13.6% |
| Montana | $128 | $743 | 72 | 457 | -14.2% |
| Maine | $128 | $682 | 68 | 277 | -14.3% |
| Iowa | $125 | $772 | 196 | 1,081 | -16.2% |
| New Hampshire | $125 | $1,196 | 127 | 628 | -16.5% |
| Arkansas | $124 | $608 | 203 | 1,069 | -17.1% |
| Michigan | $124 | $661 | 485 | 4,504 | -17.2% |
| Kentucky | $124 | $643 | 213 | 1,090 | -17.4% |
| Idaho | $123 | $712 | 83 | 481 | -17.8% |
| Mississippi | $122 | $1,030 | 185 | 1,134 | -18.1% |
| Wisconsin | $122 | $1,383 | 465 | 2,201 | -18.1% |
| Utah | $122 | $685 | 160 | 881 | -18.2% |
| Ohio | $122 | $813 | 537 | 3,755 | -18.3% |
| Oklahoma | $121 | $723 | 218 | 936 | -18.9% |
| Nebraska | $120 | $645 | 125 | 1,018 | -19.5% |
| South Dakota | $120 | $569 | 59 | 433 | -19.9% |
| North Dakota | $119 | $614 | 71 | 409 | -20.1% |
| West Virginia | $118 | $710 | 110 | 561 | -21.4% |
| Missouri | $116 | $650 | 381 | 3,138 | -22.7% |
| Vermont | $114 | $584 | 30 | 255 | -23.8% |
⚠️ Important: These costs reflect the Medicare physician/supplier component. Hospital facility fees may be billed separately. Total out-of-pocket costs may be higher.
💊 Need post-procedure medications? Check costs on OpenPrescriber