Mri scan of lower spinal canal before and after contrast
Medicare pricing data for 22,393 providers across 52 states
This procedure has a 6.9x markup — hospitals charge $1,073 but Medicare allows only $156.45. Uninsured patients may face bills 6.9 times higher than what insurance negotiates. 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 lower spinal canal before and after contrast (HCPCS code 72158) is a medical procedure billed to Medicare. The average Medicare-allowed cost is $156.45, but hospitals typically charge $1,073 — a 6.9x 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 $156.45, your out-of-pocket cost would be approximately $31.29. 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 6.9x more than what Medicare allows for this procedure. Medicare actually pays $121.52 on average.
Cost by State
Medicare-allowed amounts vary significantly by state
| State | Allowed Cost | Hospital Charge | Providers | Services | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puerto Rico | $214 | $512 | 48 | 136 | +37.0% |
| New Jersey | $205 | $1,403 | 518 | 4,785 | +31.1% |
| Maryland | $197 | $1,098 | 415 | 4,183 | +26.1% |
| Florida | $188 | $1,449 | 1,568 | 15,696 | +20.3% |
| Alaska | $184 | $1,579 | 77 | 557 | +17.3% |
| Connecticut | $183 | $1,194 | 321 | 3,163 | +17.2% |
| New York | $183 | $1,247 | 1,177 | 14,586 | +16.8% |
| California | $182 | $1,234 | 1,965 | 17,724 | +16.5% |
| District of Columbia | $180 | $965 | 61 | 765 | +15.1% |
| Alabama | $177 | $1,004 | 445 | 3,949 | +13.0% |
| Arizona | $176 | $1,287 | 375 | 3,964 | +12.2% |
| Nevada | $173 | $1,160 | 194 | 1,361 | +10.3% |
| Massachusetts | $164 | $1,060 | 616 | 7,437 | +4.9% |
| Rhode Island | $162 | $955 | 62 | 1,008 | +3.8% |
| Hawaii | $162 | $727 | 66 | 327 | +3.6% |
| Texas | $161 | $1,254 | 1,443 | 15,991 | +2.6% |
| Washington | $159 | $862 | 526 | 4,449 | +1.7% |
| Wyoming | $158 | $1,164 | 52 | 328 | +0.8% |
| Minnesota | $156 | $1,172 | 712 | 6,764 | -0.1% |
| Louisiana | $154 | $1,131 | 387 | 2,908 | -1.6% |
| Virginia | $152 | $1,335 | 550 | 6,928 | -3.2% |
| New Mexico | $149 | $1,229 | 103 | 818 | -4.9% |
| South Carolina | $149 | $1,179 | 427 | 4,309 | -5.1% |
| Delaware | $148 | $818 | 78 | 894 | -5.6% |
| North Carolina | $147 | $1,096 | 887 | 9,014 | -6.0% |
| Colorado | $147 | $843 | 393 | 3,729 | -6.0% |
| Tennessee | $145 | $1,004 | 657 | 6,021 | -7.2% |
| Georgia | $144 | $1,100 | 662 | 6,047 | -7.7% |
| Mississippi | $142 | $1,171 | 209 | 2,720 | -9.4% |
| Indiana | $140 | $1,021 | 431 | 3,866 | -10.5% |
| Oregon | $139 | $801 | 287 | 2,322 | -11.0% |
| Utah | $139 | $775 | 196 | 1,659 | -11.4% |
| Illinois | $138 | $1,031 | 960 | 9,502 | -12.0% |
| Kansas | $137 | $651 | 244 | 2,090 | -12.2% |
| Pennsylvania | $137 | $750 | 1,037 | 9,752 | -12.3% |
| Maine | $136 | $672 | 89 | 799 | -13.2% |
| Iowa | $134 | $793 | 285 | 2,730 | -14.1% |
| Kentucky | $134 | $752 | 249 | 2,367 | -14.4% |
| Montana | $134 | $676 | 91 | 859 | -14.5% |
| Nebraska | $132 | $729 | 158 | 1,913 | -15.6% |
| Ohio | $130 | $828 | 719 | 7,456 | -16.7% |
| Vermont | $128 | $578 | 37 | 393 | -18.2% |
| New Hampshire | $128 | $1,107 | 161 | 1,274 | -18.4% |
| Arkansas | $127 | $633 | 261 | 2,655 | -18.6% |
| Wisconsin | $127 | $1,325 | 555 | 4,099 | -18.7% |
| Missouri | $127 | $686 | 453 | 5,345 | -19.0% |
| South Dakota | $126 | $650 | 74 | 813 | -19.5% |
| Oklahoma | $125 | $766 | 244 | 2,168 | -20.4% |
| Idaho | $124 | $699 | 100 | 857 | -21.0% |
| Michigan | $122 | $673 | 543 | 7,674 | -22.0% |
| North Dakota | $121 | $594 | 78 | 808 | -22.6% |
| West Virginia | $112 | $625 | 131 | 1,206 | -28.1% |
⚠️ 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