MRI Brain with Contrast cost in Virginia Beach, VA
Comparing 6 hospitals within 25 miles
Price range near Virginia Beach
Chesapeake General Hospital (3★) has the lowest price — $1,464 less than the most expensive option nearby.
Hospital prices near Virginia Beach
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Before you schedule
Your MRI brain with contrast in Virginia Beach has a wide price range — you could pay as little as $1,084 out of pocket at one facility or as much as $4,875 at another, depending on where you go. That's a difference of nearly $3,800 for the exact same scan. The two Sentara hospitals in your area both charge $2,549 for the cash price, which is close to the median in the city. Before you book, call the imaging department billing line at whichever hospital your doctor recommends and confirm that $2,549 is the actual out-of-pocket cost for you — sometimes that price changes based on your insurance or eligibility for financial assistance.
Ask the billing department directly: "What is the cash price for an MRI brain with contrast, and do I qualify for any payment plans or financial assistance?" If that $2,549 feels like too much, you have room to shop — some facilities in the area charge significantly less. Get the quote in writing before your appointment so there are no surprises on the bill.
Questions to ask when you call
Before scheduling, call the hospital's billing department. These are the exact questions that get you the answers you need.
"What is your cash price for MRI Brain with Contrast?"
If you haven't met your deductible, the cash price may be lower than what your insurance negotiates. Many hospitals will honor their published cash price if you ask.
"What will my insurance plan pay for this, and what's my out-of-pocket?"
Get a written estimate. Ask them to include your deductible status and coinsurance percentage. This is called a "Good Faith Estimate" and you're legally entitled to one.
"Are there any other charges I should expect — radiologist, anesthesiologist, or facility fees?"
These prices are facility fees. Your doctor, radiologist, and anesthesiologist bill separately. Ask how much those could add.
MRI Brain with Contrast costs $1,084 at Chesapeake General Hospital (3-star CMS rating) and up to $2,548 at Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital in Virginia Beach, Virginia — a 2.4x difference for the same procedure across 6 facilities. The Virginia statewide average is $3,051.
About this market
Sentara Health operates 5 of 6 hospitals near Virginia Beach (83%). Prices across their facilities are identical — comparison between them won't save you money.
Sentara Health's price of $2,548 is below the Virginia average of $3,051.
Chesapeake, VA · 18 mi away · 3★
7 insurance plans. Cheapest: Aetna. Most expensive: Sentara Health Plans.
What else you should know
Children's hospitals
The following children's hospitals are listed separately because their pricing, patient mix, and quality benchmarks differ from adult facilities.
Surgery center alternatives
These ambulatory surgery centers are near Virginia Beach. ASCs often perform outpatient procedures at lower cost than hospitals.
View full data table
| Facility | Cash Price | Gross Charge | Stars | Patient Rating | Ownership | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chesapeake General Hospital | $1,084 | $1,807 | 3/5 | 67.0% | Local government | 18.1 mi |
| Sentara Princess Anne HospitalSentara Health | $2,548 | $5,097 | 4/5 | 78.0% | Nonprofit | 0.0 mi |
| Sentara Leigh HospitalSentara Health | $2,548 | $5,097 | 4/5 | 76.0% | Nonprofit | 17.0 mi |
| Sentara Obici HospitalSentara Health | $2,548 | $5,097 | 4/5 | 73.0% | Nonprofit | 17.3 mi |
| Sentara Careplex HospitalSentara Health | $2,548 | $5,097 | 4/5 | 73.0% | Nonprofit | 23.7 mi |
| Sentara Virginia Beach General HospitalSentara Health | $2,548 | $5,097 | 4/5 | 71.0% | Nonprofit | 0.0 mi |
Common questions
How much does MRI Brain with Contrast cost in Virginia Beach, VA?
MRI Brain with Contrast costs between $1,084 and $2,548 at 6 facilities near Virginia Beach, Virginia. The median price is $2,548. The Virginia statewide average is $3,051.
Which hospital is cheapest for MRI Brain with Contrast near Virginia Beach?
Chesapeake General Hospital has the lowest published cash price at $1,084. It has a 3-star CMS quality rating and 67.0% patient satisfaction.
Does a cheaper hospital mean lower quality?
No. In Virginia Beach, the lowest-priced facility (Chesapeake General Hospital) has a 3-star CMS rating, while the highest-priced facility (Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital) has a 4-star rating.
Where does this pricing data come from?
All prices are from each hospital's federally mandated machine-readable file under the CMS Hospital Price Transparency Rule (45 CFR Part 180). Quality ratings are from CMS Hospital Compare. We do not estimate prices. See full methodology →
How much can I save by choosing a different hospital?
The maximum savings for MRI Brain with Contrast near Virginia Beach is $1,464 — the difference between Chesapeake General Hospital ($1,084) and Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital ($2,548).
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Data compiled from 17 federal sources including CMS Hospital Price Transparency files, Hospital Compare, HCAHPS, and Medicare Cost Reports. Updated April 2026. Full methodology →