MRI Lumbar Spine with and without Contrast cost in Norfolk, VA
Comparing 6 hospitals within 25 miles
Price range near Norfolk
Sentara Princess Anne Hospital (4★) has the lowest price — $673 less than the most expensive option nearby.
Hospital prices near Norfolk
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Before you schedule
If you're looking at this MRI in Norfolk, you need to know upfront that cash prices here span from about $3,300 to $6,600 — that's a twofold difference for the exact same scan. Where you schedule matters enormously for your out-of-pocket cost. The good news: you have time to call around and compare before your appointment, since this isn't an emergency imaging procedure.
Before you book, call the billing department at each facility and ask specifically for the cash price for a lumbar spine MRI with and without contrast — don't rely on what you find online, since that can be outdated. If your insurance is covering most of it, also confirm what your actual copay or coinsurance will be after they file the claim. Take 20 minutes tonight or tomorrow morning to make three calls; the difference could easily be hundreds of dollars.
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 Norfolk, 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 Norfolk (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 · 79 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 Norfolk. 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 | 17.0 mi |
| Sentara Leigh HospitalSentara Health | $3,316 | $6,631 | 4/5 | 76.0% | Nonprofit | 0.0 mi |
| Sentara Obici HospitalSentara Health | $3,316 | $6,631 | 4/5 | 73.0% | Nonprofit | 0.2 mi |
| Sentara Careplex HospitalSentara Health | $3,316 | $6,631 | 4/5 | 73.0% | Nonprofit | 12.8 mi |
| Sentara Virginia Beach General HospitalSentara Health | $3,316 | $6,631 | 4/5 | 71.0% | Nonprofit | 17.0 mi |
| Chesapeake General Hospital | $3,989 | $6,649 | 3/5 | 67.0% | Local government | 5.7 mi |
Common questions
How much does MRI Lumbar Spine with and without Contrast cost in Norfolk, VA?
MRI Lumbar Spine with and without Contrast costs between $3,316 and $3,989 at 6 facilities near Norfolk, 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 Norfolk?
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 Norfolk, 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 Norfolk 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 →