MRI brain without contrast in California
Below is what hospitals in California charge if you pay cash, and the typical rate insurers negotiated.
Cash prices at 72 hospitals in California run from $19 to $5,481. The typical hospital charges $3,398. Where a hospital sits on this scale matters more than the number alone:
typical: $3,398
Cheaper than most hospitalsPricier than most hospitals
78 hospitals. Sort by: Cash price ▲ · Negotiated median · Gross charge · Negotiated low
What these numbers mean.
Cash price is what the hospital lists for patients paying out of pocket.
Negotiated median is the middle of what insurance companies actually agreed to pay.
Gross charge is the sticker price — almost nobody pays it.
What you will actually pay is usually different from both numbers:
with insurance, your deductible, copay, or coinsurance decides what you owe —
the negotiated rate is what the insurer pays, not your bill.
A single line item may not be the whole cost: physician, anesthesia, pathology,
and facility fees can be billed separately.
Prices vary by hospital and change over time; always confirm with the hospital before you go.
| Hospital | Cash price | Where it sits | Insurance pays (typical) | Gross charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adventist Health Lodi Memorial CA · Price file August 2, 2026 | $19Insurance typically pays $209Sticker price $274 | Lowest price of any hospital | $209 | $274 |
| Glendale Adventist Medical Center CA · Price file July 30, 2026 | $46Insurance typically pays $190Sticker price $305 | Cheaper than 99% of hospitals | $190 | $305 |
| Adventist Health Sonora CA · Price file May 23, 2026 | $47Insurance typically pays $190Sticker price $274 | Cheaper than 97% of hospitals | $190 | $274 |
| Adventist Health Hanford CA · Price file August 1, 2026 | $52Insurance typically pays $304Sticker price $274 | Cheaper than 96% of hospitals | $304 | $274 |
| Adventist Health Tulare CA · Price file May 22, 2026 | $52Insurance typically pays $286Sticker price $274 | Cheaper than 96% of hospitals | $286 | $274 |
| Adventist Health Reedley CA · Price file August 2, 2026 | $52Insurance typically pays $134Sticker price $274 | Cheaper than 96% of hospitals | $134 | $274 |
| Adventist Health Ukiah Valley CA · Price file May 24, 2026 | $55Insurance typically pays $247Sticker price $274 | Cheaper than 92% of hospitals | $247 | $274 |
| Adventist Health Tehachapi Valley CA · Price file May 21, 2026 | $74Insurance typically pays $154Sticker price $274 | Cheaper than 90% of hospitals | $154 | $274 |
| Adventist Health Howard Memorial CA · Price file August 2, 2026 | $82Insurance typically pays $106Sticker price $274 | Cheaper than 89% of hospitals | $106 | $274 |
| Eisenhower Medical Center Rancho Mirage, CA · Price file April 2, 2026 | $114Insurance typically pays $307Sticker price $5,266 | Cheaper than 87% of hospitals | $307 | $5,266 |
| Adventist Health Mendocino Coast CA · Price file August 2, 2026 | $181Insurance typically pays $274Sticker price $274 | Cheaper than 86% of hospitals | $274 | $274 |
| Adventist Health Bakersfield CA · Price file October 5, 2026 | $487Insurance typically pays $307Sticker price $3,247 | Cheaper than 85% of hospitals | $307 | $3,247 |
| Community Memorial Hospital - Ventura Ventura, CA · Price file June 15, 2026 | $547Insurance typically pays —Sticker price $1,368 | Cheaper than 83% of hospitals | — | $1,368 |
| Adventist Health Delano CA · Price file July 29, 2026 | $562Insurance typically pays $552Sticker price $2,812 | Cheaper than 82% of hospitals | $552 | $2,812 |
| Adventist Health Simi Valley CA · Price file May 21, 2026 | $817Insurance typically pays $2,050Sticker price $5,108 | Cheaper than 80% of hospitals | $2,050 | $5,108 |
| Adventist Health St Helena CA | $1,087Insurance typically pays $317Sticker price $7,245 | Cheaper than 79% of hospitals | $317 | $7,245 |
| University Of California Irvine Medical Center CA · Price file July 1, 2024 | $1,153Insurance typically pays —Sticker price $3,844 | Cheaper than 77% of hospitals | — | $3,844 |
| San Antonio Regional Hospital CA · Price file April 2, 2026 | $1,461Insurance typically pays $600Sticker price $11,643 | Cheaper than 76% of hospitals | $600 | $11,643 |
| Adventist Health Clearlake CA · Price file July 29, 2026 | $1,584Insurance typically pays $3,503Sticker price $4,400 | Cheaper than 75% of hospitals | $3,503 | $4,400 |
| Oak Valley Hospital District CA · Price file July 17, 2026 | $1,660Insurance typically pays $1,284Sticker price $2,214 | Cheaper than 73% of hospitals | $1,284 | $2,214 |
| White Memorial Medical Center CA | $1,752Insurance typically pays $505Sticker price $9,732 | Cheaper than 72% of hospitals | $505 | $9,732 |
| Adventist Health And Rideout CA · Price file July 6, 2026 | $2,014Insurance typically pays $3,780Sticker price $9,155 | Cheaper than 70% of hospitals | $3,780 | $9,155 |
| Providence Mission Hospital CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $2,042Insurance typically pays $373Sticker price $4,254 | Cheaper than 69% of hospitals | $373 | $4,254 |
| Providence Little Company Of Mary Med Ctr Torrance CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $2,070Insurance typically pays $568Sticker price $5,913 | Cheaper than 68% of hospitals | $568 | $5,913 |
| Providence Little Co Of Mary Med Ctr San Pedro CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $2,070Insurance typically pays $568Sticker price $5,913 | Cheaper than 68% of hospitals | $568 | $5,913 |
| Kaweah Health Medical Center CA · Price file July 14, 2026 | $2,124Insurance typically pays —Sticker price $2,124 | Cheaper than 65% of hospitals | — | $2,124 |
| Providence St. Joseph Hospital CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $2,205Insurance typically pays $373Sticker price $4,594 | Cheaper than 63% of hospitals | $373 | $4,594 |
| Natividad Medical Center CA · Price file August 14, 2026 | $2,306Insurance typically pays $268Sticker price $2,306 | Cheaper than 62% of hospitals | $268 | $2,306 |
| Tahoe Forest Hospital CA · Price file September 28, 2026 | $2,492Insurance typically pays $438Sticker price $2,492 | Cheaper than 61% of hospitals | $438 | $2,492 |
| Orchard Hospital CA · Price file October 23, 2026 | $2,496Insurance typically pays $461Sticker price $4,160 | Cheaper than 59% of hospitals | $461 | $4,160 |
| El Camino Health Mountain View, CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $2,608Insurance typically pays —Sticker price $10,432 | Cheaper than 58% of hospitals | — | $10,432 |
| Redlands Community Hospital CA · Price file June 19, 2026 | $2,708Insurance typically pays $399Sticker price $11,284 | Cheaper than 56% of hospitals | $399 | $11,284 |
| Providence Holy Cross Medical Center CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $3,023Insurance typically pays $483Sticker price $8,638 | Cheaper than 55% of hospitals | $483 | $8,638 |
| Lucile Salter Packard Children's Hsp At Stanford CA · Price file March 31, 2026 | $3,074Insurance typically pays $5,882Sticker price $6,147 | Cheaper than 54% of hospitals | $5,882 | $6,147 |
| Ventura County Medical Center - Santa Paula Hospital CA · Price file November 3, 2026 | $3,207Insurance typically pays $549Sticker price $6,414 | Cheaper than 52% of hospitals | $549 | $6,414 |
| Providence Queen Of The Valley Medical Center CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $3,254Insurance typically pays $401Sticker price $4,649 | Cheaper than 51% of hospitals | $401 | $4,649 |
| Cedars Sinai Medical Center CA · Price file November 26, 2025 | $3,543Insurance typically pays $340Sticker price $5,450 | Pricier than 51% of hospitals | $340 | $5,450 |
| El Centro Regional Medical Center CA · Price file June 17, 2026 | $3,672Insurance typically pays $439Sticker price $5,245 | Pricier than 52% of hospitals | $439 | $5,245 |
| Sonoma Valley Hospital CA · Price file May 22, 2026 | $3,784Insurance typically pays $2,589Sticker price $5,406 | Pricier than 54% of hospitals | $2,589 | $5,406 |
| Providence Cedars Sinai Tarzana Medical Center CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $4,386Insurance typically pays $3,444Sticker price $5,622 | Pricier than 55% of hospitals | $3,444 | $5,622 |
| Providence St. Jude Medical Center CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $4,572Insurance typically pays $373Sticker price $9,526 | Pricier than 56% of hospitals | $373 | $9,526 |
| Emanate Health Queen Of The Valley Hospital CA | $4,689Insurance typically pays $846Sticker price $4,689 | Pricier than 58% of hospitals | $846 | $4,689 |
| Emanate Health Foothill Presbyterian Hospital CA | $4,689Insurance typically pays $846Sticker price $4,689 | Pricier than 58% of hospitals | $846 | $4,689 |
| Emanate Health Inter-community Hospital CA | $4,689Insurance typically pays $846Sticker price $4,689 | Pricier than 58% of hospitals | $846 | $4,689 |
| Stanford Health Care CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $4,698Insurance typically pays $351Sticker price $11,744 | Pricier than 62% of hospitals | $351 | $11,744 |
| Marinhealth Medical Center Greenbrae, CA | $4,960Insurance typically pays —Sticker price $8,267 | Pricier than 63% of hospitals | — | $8,267 |
| George L Mee Memorial Hospital CA · Price file October 28, 2026 | $5,059Insurance typically pays $5,396Sticker price $6,745 | Pricier than 65% of hospitals | $5,396 | $6,745 |
| Chinese Hospital CA · Price file July 22, 2026 | $5,209Insurance typically pays $562Sticker price $5,209 | Pricier than 66% of hospitals | $562 | $5,209 |
| Sutter Center For Psychiatry CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $5,481Insurance typically pays $307Sticker price $5,481 | Pricier than 68% of hospitals | $307 | $5,481 |
| Alta Bates Summit Medical Center CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $5,481Insurance typically pays $2,909Sticker price $5,481 | Pricier than 68% of hospitals | $2,909 | $5,481 |
| Sutter Delta Medical Center CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $5,481Insurance typically pays $2,909Sticker price $5,481 | Pricier than 68% of hospitals | $2,909 | $5,481 |
| Sutter Davis Hospital CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $5,481Insurance typically pays $307Sticker price $5,481 | Pricier than 68% of hospitals | $307 | $5,481 |
| Sutter Maternity Surgery Center Of Santa Cruz CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $5,481Insurance typically pays $2,909Sticker price $5,481 | Pricier than 68% of hospitals | $2,909 | $5,481 |
| Eden Medical Center CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $5,481Insurance typically pays $2,909Sticker price $5,481 | Pricier than 68% of hospitals | $2,909 | $5,481 |
| Sutter Medical Center Sacramento CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $5,481Insurance typically pays $307Sticker price $5,481 | Pricier than 68% of hospitals | $307 | $5,481 |
| Sutter Roseville Medical Center CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $5,481Insurance typically pays $307Sticker price $5,481 | Pricier than 68% of hospitals | $307 | $5,481 |
| Sutter Surgical Hospital North Valley CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $5,481Insurance typically pays $1,936Sticker price $5,481 | Pricier than 68% of hospitals | $1,936 | $5,481 |
| Sutter Amador Hospital CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $5,481Insurance typically pays $307Sticker price $5,481 | Pricier than 68% of hospitals | $307 | $5,481 |
| Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $5,481Insurance typically pays $2,909Sticker price $5,481 | Pricier than 68% of hospitals | $2,909 | $5,481 |
| Sutter Solano Medical Center CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $5,481Insurance typically pays $307Sticker price $5,481 | Pricier than 68% of hospitals | $307 | $5,481 |
| Mills-peninsula Medical Center CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $5,481Insurance typically pays $2,909Sticker price $5,481 | Pricier than 68% of hospitals | $2,909 | $5,481 |
| Novato Community Hospital CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $5,481Insurance typically pays $2,909Sticker price $5,481 | Pricier than 68% of hospitals | $2,909 | $5,481 |
| Sutter Coast Hospital CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $5,481Insurance typically pays $307Sticker price $5,481 | Pricier than 68% of hospitals | $307 | $5,481 |
| Memorial Medical Center CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $5,481Insurance typically pays $307Sticker price $5,481 | Pricier than 68% of hospitals | $307 | $5,481 |
| Sutter Tracy Community Hospital CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $5,481Insurance typically pays $307Sticker price $5,481 | Pricier than 68% of hospitals | $307 | $5,481 |
| California Pacific Medical Center Van Ness Campus CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $5,481Insurance typically pays $2,909Sticker price $5,481 | Pricier than 68% of hospitals | $2,909 | $5,481 |
| California Pacific Medical Center - Mission Bernal CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $5,481Insurance typically pays $2,909Sticker price $5,481 | Pricier than 68% of hospitals | $2,909 | $5,481 |
| Memorial Hospital Los Banos CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $5,481Insurance typically pays $307Sticker price $5,481 | Pricier than 68% of hospitals | $307 | $5,481 |
| California Pacific Medical Ctr-davies Campus Hosp CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $5,481Insurance typically pays $2,909Sticker price $5,481 | Pricier than 68% of hospitals | $2,909 | $5,481 |
| Alta Bates Summit Medical Center - Alta Bates Camp CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $5,481Insurance typically pays $2,909Sticker price $5,481 | Pricier than 68% of hospitals | $2,909 | $5,481 |
| Sutter Lakeside Hospital CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $5,481Insurance typically pays $2,909Sticker price $5,481 | Pricier than 68% of hospitals | $2,909 | $5,481 |
| Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $5,481Insurance typically pays $307Sticker price $5,481 | Pricier than 68% of hospitals | $307 | $5,481 |
| West Hills Hospital Medical Center CA | —Insurance typically pays $518Sticker price — | — | $518 | — |
| Corona Regional Medical Center CA | —Insurance typically pays —Sticker price $10,088 | — | — | $10,088 |
| Good Samaritan Hospital CA | —Insurance typically pays $518Sticker price — | — | $518 | — |
| Palmdale Regional Medical Center CA | —Insurance typically pays —Sticker price $8,005 | — | — | $8,005 |
| Southwest Healthcare System-wildomar CA | —Insurance typically pays —Sticker price $8,927 | — | — | $8,927 |
| Los Robles Hospital Medical Center CA | —Insurance typically pays $518Sticker price — | — | $518 | — |
Procedure code 70551. Prices are from each hospital's own published price file — see methodology.