MRI Lumbar Spine with and without Contrast cost in Virginia Beach, VA
MRI Lumbar Spine with and without Contrast costs $3,316 to $3,989 cash across 7 hospitals within 25 miles of Virginia Beach.
Price range near Virginia Beach
Hospital prices near Virginia Beach
Had this procedure? Tell us what you paid — it helps the next patient
What this price typically doesn't include
Procedure codes generally cover the procedure itself. Other services that often appear on the same bill are listed under separate codes — for example:
- Anesthesia (CPT 00xxx)
- Pathology, if a sample is taken (CPT 88xxx)
- Drugs administered during the visit (J-codes)
- Facility vs. professional split — one charge from the hospital, another from the doctor
- Room and board, if the procedure is inpatient
Asking what other codes might appear on the bill is a useful follow-up so the total is not a surprise. Once you receive the bill, asking for an itemized statement listing each service code separately makes it easier to match against the disclosed prices above.
Observations about billing-code conventions. Not medical advice. Not legal advice.
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Before you schedule
Your cash price for a lumbar spine MRI in Virginia Beach ranges from about $3,300 to $6,600 depending on where you go — that's a difference of more than $3,000 for the same scan. The median price is around $3,300, so if you shop carefully, you can avoid paying nearly double. Since this is imaging (not emergency surgery), you have real time to call around and lock in a better rate before you schedule.
Start by calling your insurance company and asking what they'd actually pay at each hospital — their negotiated rates vary widely and that's often your out-of-pocket number. Then call the billing departments at 2–3 hospitals with lower cash prices and ask them directly: "What's your cash price for a lumbar spine MRI with and without contrast?" Get it in writing via email before you schedule. If cost is tight, also ask whether they have financial assistance; some hospitals will reduce bills for uninsured or lower-income patients, but you have to ask.
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 between $3,316 and $3,989 at 7 facilities near Virginia Beach, Virginia. The Virginia statewide average is $3,809.
About this market
Sentara Health operates 5 of 7 hospitals near Virginia Beach (71%). 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 $3,809.
Richmond, VA · 93 mi away · Bon Secours Mercy Health · 3★
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 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sentara Princess Anne HospitalSentara Health | $3,316 | $6,631 | 4/5 | 78.0% | Nonprofit | 0.0 mi |
| Sentara Leigh HospitalSentara Health | $3,316 | $6,631 | 4/5 | 76.0% | Nonprofit | 17.0 mi |
| Sentara Obici HospitalSentara Health | $3,316 | $6,631 | 4/5 | 73.0% | Nonprofit | 17.3 mi |
| Sentara Careplex HospitalSentara Health | $3,316 | $6,631 | 4/5 | 73.0% | Nonprofit | 23.7 mi |
| Sentara Virginia Beach General HospitalSentara Health | $3,316 | $6,631 | 4/5 | 71.0% | Nonprofit | 0.0 mi |
| Chesapeake General Hospital | $3,989 | $6,649 | 3/5 | 67.0% | Local government | 18.1 mi |
| Riverside Shore Memorial HospitalRiverside Health System | — | — | 3/5 | 81.0% | Nonprofit | 17.3 mi |
Common questions
How much does MRI Lumbar Spine with and without Contrast cost in Virginia Beach, VA?
MRI Lumbar Spine with and without Contrast costs between $3,316 and $3,989 at 7 facilities near Virginia Beach, Virginia. The median price is $3,316. The Virginia statewide average is $3,809.
Which hospital is cheapest for MRI Lumbar Spine with and without Contrast near Virginia Beach?
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 Virginia Beach, the lowest-priced facility (Sentara Princess Anne Hospital) has a 4-star CMS rating, while the highest-priced facility (Riverside Shore Memorial 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 →
Same procedure, other areas
Other procedures near you
Data compiled from 17 federal sources including CMS Hospital Price Transparency files, Hospital Compare, HCAHPS, and Medicare Cost Reports. Updated April 2026. Full methodology →