MRI Lumbar Spine with and without Contrast cost in Fairfax, VA
Comparing 9 hospitals within 25 miles
Price range near Fairfax
Inova Fair Oaks Hospital (5★) has the lowest price — $10,090 less than the most expensive option nearby.
Hospital prices near Fairfax
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Before you schedule
Right now, you're looking at MRI pricing in Fairfax, and there's a critical gap you need to know: the cash prices for this exact scan range from about $1,500 to over $11,500 depending on where you go. That's nearly an 8-fold difference for the same procedure. The median cost is around $1,700, which means half the facilities charge less and half charge more — so shopping around here isn't optional, it's essential to your out-of-pocket bill.
Before you schedule, call the imaging department directly at each hospital and ask for the cash price for a lumbar spine MRI with and without contrast — the specific wording matters because it affects the quote. If your insurance is covering part of it, also ask your insurer what they'll pay at each facility, since their contracted rates vary too. Once you know both numbers, you'll see exactly what you're responsible for and can pick the facility that makes sense for your budget.
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 $1,479 at Inova Fair Oaks Hospital (5-star CMS rating) and up to $11,570 at Stonesprings Hospital Center in Fairfax, Virginia — a 7.8x difference for the same procedure across 9 facilities. The Virginia statewide average is $3,794.
What else you should know
Surgery center alternatives
These ambulatory surgery centers are near Fairfax. ASCs often perform outpatient procedures at lower cost than hospitals.
View full data table
| Facility | Cash Price | Gross Charge | Stars | Patient Rating | Ownership | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inova Fair Oaks HospitalInova Health System | $1,479 | $2,958 | 5/5 | 79.0% | Nonprofit | 0.0 mi |
| Inova Loudoun HospitalInova Health System | $1,479 | $2,958 | 5/5 | 76.0% | Nonprofit | 11.3 mi |
| Inova Alexandria HospitalInova Health System | $1,479 | $2,958 | 4/5 | 70.0% | Nonprofit | 14.3 mi |
| Inova Mount Vernon HospitalInova Health System | $1,479 | $2,958 | 3/5 | 67.0% | Nonprofit | 14.3 mi |
| UVA Health Haymarket Medical CenterUVA Health | $1,706 | $2,844 | 4/5 | 76.0% | Nonprofit | 11.3 mi |
| Novant Prince William Medical CenterNovant Health | $2,102 | $4,204 | 4/5 | 64.0% | Nonprofit | 11.3 mi |
| Fauquier Hospital | $3,251 | $8,127 | 3/5 | 62.0% | For-profit | 11.3 mi |
| Reston Hospital CenterHCA Virginia | $11,567 | $11,567 | 3/5 | 66.0% | Nonprofit | 11.3 mi |
| Stonesprings Hospital Center | $11,570 | $11,570 | 3/5 | 76.0% | For-profit | 11.3 mi |
Common questions
How much does MRI Lumbar Spine with and without Contrast cost in Fairfax, VA?
MRI Lumbar Spine with and without Contrast costs between $1,479 and $11,570 at 9 facilities near Fairfax, Virginia. The median price is $1,706. The Virginia statewide average is $3,794.
Which hospital is cheapest for MRI Lumbar Spine with and without Contrast near Fairfax?
Inova Fair Oaks Hospital has the lowest published cash price at $1,479. It has a 5-star CMS quality rating and 79.0% patient satisfaction.
Does a cheaper hospital mean lower quality?
No. In Fairfax, the lowest-priced facility (Inova Fair Oaks Hospital) has a 5-star CMS rating, while the highest-priced facility (Stonesprings Hospital Center) 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 Fairfax is $10,091 — the difference between Inova Fair Oaks Hospital ($1,479) and Stonesprings Hospital Center ($11,570).
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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 →