MRI Lumbar Spine without Contrast cost in Norfolk, VA
Comparing 6 hospitals within 25 miles
Price range near Norfolk
Chesapeake General Hospital (3★) has the lowest price — $5 less than the most expensive option nearby.
Hospital prices near Norfolk
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Before you schedule
If you're paying out of pocket for this MRI, Norfolk has a real price spread: the lowest cash price is around $2,000, but some facilities charge nearly $4,850 for the same scan—more than double. That matters because your insurance might not cover the full cost, and even with coverage, your out-of-pocket share depends partly on which facility you choose. Before you book, it's worth confirming that your doctor's preferred location is one of the lower-priced options, since the scan itself is identical regardless of where you go.
Call the imaging department at your doctor's preferred hospital and ask for the cash price for a lumbar spine MRI without contrast. If it's higher than $2,000, ask if they have financial assistance for uninsured or underinsured patients—many do, and you may qualify without realizing it. If your doctor hasn't specified a location, Sentara Leigh Hospital and Sentara Norfolk General are both quoting around $2,000, which puts you at the lower end of what Norfolk facilities charge.
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 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 without Contrast costs $1,994 at Chesapeake General Hospital (3-star CMS rating) and up to $2,000 at Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital in Norfolk, Virginia — a 1.0x difference for the same procedure across 6 facilities. The Virginia statewide average is $2,889.
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 $2,000 is below the Virginia average of $2,889.
Fredericksburg, VA · 79 mi away · Mary Washington Healthcare · 2★
7 insurance plans. Cheapest: Aetna. Most expensive: Sentara Health Plans.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chesapeake General Hospital | $1,994 | $3,324 | 3/5 | 67.0% | Local government | 5.7 mi |
| Sentara Princess Anne HospitalSentara Health | $2,000 | $4,000 | 4/5 | 78.0% | Nonprofit | 17.0 mi |
| Sentara Leigh HospitalSentara Health | $2,000 | $4,000 | 4/5 | 76.0% | Nonprofit | 0.0 mi |
| Sentara Obici HospitalSentara Health | $2,000 | $4,000 | 4/5 | 73.0% | Nonprofit | 0.2 mi |
| Sentara Careplex HospitalSentara Health | $2,000 | $4,000 | 4/5 | 73.0% | Nonprofit | 12.8 mi |
| Sentara Virginia Beach General HospitalSentara Health | $2,000 | $4,000 | 4/5 | 71.0% | Nonprofit | 17.0 mi |
Common questions
How much does MRI Lumbar Spine without Contrast cost in Norfolk, VA?
MRI Lumbar Spine without Contrast costs between $1,994 and $2,000 at 6 facilities near Norfolk, 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 Norfolk?
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 Norfolk, the lowest-priced facility (Chesapeake General Hospital) has a 3-star CMS rating, while the highest-priced facility (Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital) 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 Norfolk is $6 — the difference between Chesapeake General Hospital ($1,994) and Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital ($2,000).
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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 →