Price range near Newport News

$1,994 to $7,737
3.9x price range Virginia avg: $2,889

Chesapeake General Hospital (3★) has the lowest price — $5,742 less than the most expensive option nearby.

Hospital prices near Newport News

1
Chesapeake General Hospital Local government · 24.3 mi
$1,994 cash price
3★ 67.0% satisfied Safety penalty
2
Sentara Leigh Hospital Sentara Health · Nonprofit · 19.3 mi
$2,000 cash price
4★ 76.0% satisfied Safety penalty
+0% vs lowest Compare
3
Sentara Obici Hospital Sentara Health · Nonprofit · 19.2 mi
$2,000 cash price
4★ 73.0% satisfied Safety penalty
+0% vs lowest Compare
4
Sentara Careplex Hospital Sentara Health · Nonprofit · 8.1 mi
$2,000 cash price
4★ 73.0% satisfied Safety penalty
+0% vs lowest Compare
5
Southside Community Hospital, INC Nonprofit · 18.2 mi
$7,737 cash price
4★ 70.0% satisfied Safety penalty
+288% vs lowest Compare

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Before you schedule

Best value Chesapeake General Hospital — $1,994 3★ CMS rating
You could save $5,743 by choosing the lowest-priced facility
Virginia average $2,889 — prices near Newport News are below average
Call billing before you schedule Ask: "What is the cash price for this procedure?" — if you haven't met your deductible, it may be hundreds less than going through insurance
Expect a separate bill These are facility fees. Your doctor, radiologist, or anesthesiologist bills separately — ask about those costs too

If you're having an MRI of your lower spine in Newport News, the price you'll actually pay could be nearly four times higher at one facility versus another — so shopping around before you schedule is genuinely worth your time. Your cash price could land anywhere from around $2,000 to $7,700 depending on where you go, which means the difference between facilities could be $5,000 or more out of your pocket if you're uninsured or paying upfront.

Before you book, call the imaging department at two or three facilities and ask specifically for their cash price for an MRI of the lumbar spine without contrast. Tell them whether you're paying out of pocket or using insurance, because that changes what they quote you. Once you have those numbers, ask each place if they offer financial assistance programs — some hospitals will reduce your bill significantly if your income qualifies.

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.

1

"What is your cash price for MRI Lumbar Spine 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.

2

"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.

3

"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 without Contrast costs $1,994 at Chesapeake General Hospital (3-star CMS rating) and up to $7,737 at Southside Community Hospital, INC in Newport News, Virginia — a 3.9x difference for the same procedure across 5 facilities. The Virginia statewide average is $2,889.

About this market

Sentara Health operates 3 of 5 hospitals near Newport News (60%). Prices across their facilities are identical — comparison between them won't save you money.

vs Virginia average 31% below average

Sentara Health's price of $2,000 is below the Virginia average of $2,889.

Nearest alternative Mary Washington Hospital — $1,844

Fredericksburg, VA · 62 mi away · Mary Washington Healthcare · 2★

Insurance rates at Sentara Health $141 to $2,261

7 insurance plans. Cheapest: Aetna. Most expensive: Sentara Health Plans.

What else you should know

5% of insurance rates exceed the cash price 3 of 56 negotiated rates at these hospitals cost more than paying cash. If you haven't met your deductible, ask for the cash rate. Learn more
Ownership affects price Nonprofit: avg $3,434, 4.0★ (4 hospitals). Other: avg $1,994, 3.0★ (1 hospitals)

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 Newport News. ASCs often perform outpatient procedures at lower cost than hospitals.

Virginia Center for Eye Surgery 19.2 mi
Virginia Beach, VA 23454
Chesapeake Regional Surgery Center at Virginia Beach 19.2 mi
Virginia Beach, VA 23462
Center for Visual Surgical Excellence LLC 19.2 mi
Chesapeake, VA 23322
Surgery Center of Chesapeake LLC 19.2 mi
Chesapeake, VA 23320
Virginia Beach Ambulatory Surgery Center 19.2 mi
Virginia Beach, VA 23454
Bayview Medical Center INC 19.2 mi
Suffolk, VA 23434
96% satisfied 563 cases/yr
View full data table
FacilityCash PriceGross ChargeStarsPatient RatingOwnershipDistance
Chesapeake General Hospital $1,994 $3,324 3/5 67.0% Local government 24.3 mi
Sentara Leigh HospitalSentara Health $2,000 $4,000 4/5 76.0% Nonprofit 19.3 mi
Sentara Obici HospitalSentara Health $2,000 $4,000 4/5 73.0% Nonprofit 19.2 mi
Sentara Careplex HospitalSentara Health $2,000 $4,000 4/5 73.0% Nonprofit 8.1 mi
Southside Community Hospital, INC $7,737 $7,737 4/5 70.0% Nonprofit 18.2 mi

Common questions

How much does MRI Lumbar Spine without Contrast cost in Newport News, VA?

MRI Lumbar Spine without Contrast costs between $1,994 and $7,737 at 5 facilities near Newport News, Virginia. The median price is $2,000. The Virginia statewide average is $2,889.

Which hospital is cheapest for MRI Lumbar Spine without Contrast near Newport News?

Chesapeake General Hospital has the lowest published cash price at $1,994. It has a 3-star CMS quality rating and 67.0% patient satisfaction.

Does a cheaper hospital mean lower quality?

No. In Newport News, the lowest-priced facility (Chesapeake General Hospital) has a 3-star CMS rating, while the highest-priced facility (Southside Community Hospital, INC) 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 Lumbar Spine without Contrast near Newport News is $5,743 — the difference between Chesapeake General Hospital ($1,994) and Southside Community Hospital, INC ($7,737).

Data compiled from 17 federal sources including CMS Hospital Price Transparency files, Hospital Compare, HCAHPS, and Medicare Cost Reports. Updated April 2026. Full methodology →