MRI Lumbar Spine with and without Contrast cost in Chesapeake, VA
Comparing 6 hospitals within 25 miles
Price range near Chesapeake
Sentara Princess Anne Hospital (4★) has the lowest price — $673 less than the most expensive option nearby.
Hospital prices near Chesapeake
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Before you schedule
You're looking at MRI lumbar spine imaging in Chesapeake, and the good news is there's real money to save if you ask the right questions. Cash prices for this procedure range from about $3,300 to $6,600—that's a difference of more than $3,000 between the lowest and highest facility. Since this is an imaging test your doctor ordered (not an emergency), you have time to shop, and that gap is worth a phone call or two.
Before you schedule, call the billing department at whichever hospital or imaging center your doctor suggested and ask for their cash price for a lumbar spine MRI with and without contrast. Then ask if they offer financial assistance if you don't qualify for insurance coverage or have high out-of-pocket costs—some facilities will reduce the bill based on your income. If the cash price they quote is in the higher range, you've got a real alternative: call another facility in your area and compare. You're comparing the same test, so price is the only thing that should vary.
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 Lumbar Spine with and without 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 Lumbar Spine with and without Contrast costs $3,316 at Sentara Princess Anne Hospital (4-star CMS rating) and up to $3,989 at Chesapeake General Hospital in Chesapeake, Virginia — a 1.2x difference for the same procedure across 6 facilities. The Virginia statewide average is $3,794.
About this market
Sentara Health operates 5 of 6 hospitals near Chesapeake (83%). Prices across their facilities are identical — comparison between them won't save you money.
Sentara Health's price of $3,316 is below the Virginia average of $3,794.
Fredericksburg, VA · 83 mi away · Mary Washington Healthcare · 2★
11 insurance plans. Cheapest: Sentara Health Plan. Most expensive: Cigna.
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 Chesapeake. ASCs often perform outpatient procedures at lower cost than hospitals.
View full data table
| Facility | Cash Price | Gross Charge | Stars | Patient Rating | Ownership | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sentara Princess Anne HospitalSentara Health | $3,316 | $6,631 | 4/5 | 78.0% | Nonprofit | 18.1 mi |
| Sentara Leigh HospitalSentara Health | $3,316 | $6,631 | 4/5 | 76.0% | Nonprofit | 5.7 mi |
| Sentara Obici HospitalSentara Health | $3,316 | $6,631 | 4/5 | 73.0% | Nonprofit | 5.7 mi |
| Sentara Careplex HospitalSentara Health | $3,316 | $6,631 | 4/5 | 73.0% | Nonprofit | 18.4 mi |
| Sentara Virginia Beach General HospitalSentara Health | $3,316 | $6,631 | 4/5 | 71.0% | Nonprofit | 18.1 mi |
| Chesapeake General Hospital | $3,989 | $6,649 | 3/5 | 67.0% | Local government | 0.0 mi |
Common questions
How much does MRI Lumbar Spine with and without Contrast cost in Chesapeake, VA?
MRI Lumbar Spine with and without Contrast costs between $3,316 and $3,989 at 6 facilities near Chesapeake, Virginia. The median price is $3,316. The Virginia statewide average is $3,794.
Which hospital is cheapest for MRI Lumbar Spine with and without Contrast near Chesapeake?
Sentara Princess Anne Hospital has the lowest published cash price at $3,316. It has a 4-star CMS quality rating and 78.0% patient satisfaction.
Does a cheaper hospital mean lower quality?
No. In Chesapeake, the lowest-priced facility (Sentara Princess Anne Hospital) has a 4-star CMS rating, while the highest-priced facility (Chesapeake General Hospital) has a 3-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 Lumbar Spine with and without Contrast near Chesapeake is $674 — the difference between Sentara Princess Anne Hospital ($3,316) and Chesapeake General Hospital ($3,989).
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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 →