MRI lower back without contrast in California
Below is what hospitals in California charge if you pay cash, and the typical rate insurers negotiated.
Cash prices at 76 hospitals in California run from $19 to $8,332. The typical hospital charges $3,682. Where a hospital sits on this scale matters more than the number alone:
typical: $3,682
Cheaper than most hospitalsPricier than most hospitals
82 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 $315Sticker price $276 | Lowest price of any hospital | $315 | $276 |
| Glendale Adventist Medical Center CA · Price file July 30, 2026 | $46Insurance typically pays $186Sticker price $306 | Cheaper than 99% of hospitals | $186 | $306 |
| Adventist Health Sonora CA · Price file May 23, 2026 | $47Insurance typically pays $238Sticker price $276 | Cheaper than 97% of hospitals | $238 | $276 |
| Adventist Health Reedley CA · Price file August 2, 2026 | $52Insurance typically pays $186Sticker price $276 | Cheaper than 96% of hospitals | $186 | $276 |
| Adventist Health Ukiah Valley CA · Price file May 24, 2026 | $55Insurance typically pays $329Sticker price $276 | Cheaper than 95% of hospitals | $329 | $276 |
| Adventist Health Howard Memorial CA · Price file August 2, 2026 | $83Insurance typically pays $186Sticker price $276 | Cheaper than 93% of hospitals | $186 | $276 |
| Eisenhower Medical Center Rancho Mirage, CA · Price file April 2, 2026 | $114Insurance typically pays $307Sticker price $5,554 | Cheaper than 92% of hospitals | $307 | $5,554 |
| Adventist Health Mendocino Coast CA · Price file August 2, 2026 | $182Insurance typically pays $276Sticker price $276 | Cheaper than 91% of hospitals | $276 | $276 |
| Adventist Health Tehachapi Valley CA · Price file May 21, 2026 | $456Insurance typically pays $390Sticker price $1,688 | Cheaper than 89% of hospitals | $390 | $1,688 |
| Adventist Health Bakersfield CA · Price file October 5, 2026 | $540Insurance typically pays $390Sticker price $3,602 | Cheaper than 88% of hospitals | $390 | $3,602 |
| Community Memorial Hospital - Ventura Ventura, CA · Price file June 15, 2026 | $547Insurance typically pays —Sticker price $1,368 | Cheaper than 87% of hospitals | — | $1,368 |
| Adventist Health Delano CA · Price file July 29, 2026 | $607Insurance typically pays $528Sticker price $3,037 | Cheaper than 85% of hospitals | $528 | $3,037 |
| Encompass Health Rehabilitaton Hospital Of Bakers Modesto, CA | $826Insurance typically pays —Sticker price $1,101 | Cheaper than 84% of hospitals | — | $1,101 |
| Adventist Health Simi Valley CA · Price file May 21, 2026 | $886Insurance typically pays $2,248Sticker price $5,537 | Cheaper than 83% of hospitals | $2,248 | $5,537 |
| Adventist Health St Helena CA | $898Insurance typically pays $1,725Sticker price $5,985 | Cheaper than 81% of hospitals | $1,725 | $5,985 |
| Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital Of Tustin Modesto, CA | $1,075Insurance typically pays —Sticker price $1,433 | Cheaper than 80% of hospitals | — | $1,433 |
| Adventist Health Hanford CA · Price file August 1, 2026 | $1,185Insurance typically pays $307Sticker price $6,236 | Cheaper than 79% of hospitals | $307 | $6,236 |
| Adventist Health Tulare CA · Price file May 22, 2026 | $1,185Insurance typically pays $307Sticker price $6,236 | Cheaper than 79% of hospitals | $307 | $6,236 |
| University Of California Irvine Medical Center CA · Price file July 1, 2024 | $1,366Insurance typically pays —Sticker price $4,554 | Cheaper than 76% of hospitals | — | $4,554 |
| San Antonio Regional Hospital CA · Price file April 2, 2026 | $1,461Insurance typically pays $600Sticker price $11,666 | Cheaper than 75% of hospitals | $600 | $11,666 |
| 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 |
| Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital Of Murrie Modesto, CA | $1,688Insurance typically pays —Sticker price $2,251 | Cheaper than 72% of hospitals | — | $2,251 |
| Adventist Health Clearlake CA · Price file July 29, 2026 | $1,785Insurance typically pays $3,718Sticker price $4,957 | Cheaper than 71% of hospitals | $3,718 | $4,957 |
| White Memorial Medical Center CA | $1,817Insurance typically pays $460Sticker price $10,092 | Cheaper than 69% of hospitals | $460 | $10,092 |
| Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital Of Modest Modesto, CA | $1,892Insurance typically pays —Sticker price $2,523 | Cheaper than 68% of hospitals | — | $2,523 |
| Adventist Health And Rideout CA · Price file July 6, 2026 | $1,925Insurance typically pays $3,665Sticker price $8,748 | Cheaper than 67% of hospitals | $3,665 | $8,748 |
| Providence Holy Cross Medical Center CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $2,128Insurance typically pays $483Sticker price $6,081 | Cheaper than 65% of hospitals | $483 | $6,081 |
| Kaweah Health Medical Center CA · Price file July 14, 2026 | $2,128Insurance typically pays —Sticker price $2,128 | Cheaper than 64% of hospitals | — | $2,128 |
| Providence Little Co Of Mary Med Ctr San Pedro CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $2,179Insurance typically pays $568Sticker price $6,225 | Cheaper than 63% of hospitals | $568 | $6,225 |
| Providence Little Company Of Mary Med Ctr Torrance CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $2,179Insurance typically pays $568Sticker price $6,225 | Cheaper than 63% of hospitals | $568 | $6,225 |
| Redlands Community Hospital CA · Price file June 19, 2026 | $2,268Insurance typically pays $399Sticker price $9,450 | Cheaper than 60% of hospitals | $399 | $9,450 |
| Tahoe Forest Hospital CA · Price file September 28, 2026 | $2,492Insurance typically pays $435Sticker price $2,492 | Cheaper than 59% of hospitals | $435 | $2,492 |
| Orchard Hospital CA · Price file October 23, 2026 | $2,496Insurance typically pays $410Sticker price $4,160 | Cheaper than 57% of hospitals | $410 | $4,160 |
| Providence Mission Hospital CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $2,634Insurance typically pays $373Sticker price $5,488 | Cheaper than 56% of hospitals | $373 | $5,488 |
| Providence Queen Of The Valley Medical Center CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $2,772Insurance typically pays $397Sticker price $3,960 | Cheaper than 55% of hospitals | $397 | $3,960 |
| El Camino Health Mountain View, CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $2,825Insurance typically pays —Sticker price $11,301 | Cheaper than 53% of hospitals | — | $11,301 |
| Sonoma Valley Hospital CA · Price file May 22, 2026 | $2,930Insurance typically pays $1,951Sticker price $4,185 | Cheaper than 52% of hospitals | $1,951 | $4,185 |
| El Centro Regional Medical Center CA · Price file June 17, 2026 | $3,646Insurance typically pays $394Sticker price $5,208 | Cheaper than 51% of hospitals | $394 | $5,208 |
| Ventura County Medical Center - Santa Paula Hospital CA · Price file November 3, 2026 | $3,718Insurance typically pays $488Sticker price $7,436 | Pricier than 51% of hospitals | $488 | $7,436 |
| Providence Cedars Sinai Tarzana Medical Center CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $3,847Insurance typically pays $3,315Sticker price $4,932 | Pricier than 52% of hospitals | $3,315 | $4,932 |
| Natividad Medical Center CA · Price file August 14, 2026 | $4,130Insurance typically pays $398Sticker price $4,130 | Pricier than 53% of hospitals | $398 | $4,130 |
| Providence St. Joseph Hospital CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $4,174Insurance typically pays $373Sticker price $8,695 | Pricier than 55% of hospitals | $373 | $8,695 |
| Providence St. Jude Medical Center CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $4,178Insurance typically pays $373Sticker price $8,704 | Pricier than 56% of hospitals | $373 | $8,704 |
| George L Mee Memorial Hospital CA · Price file October 28, 2026 | $4,385Insurance typically pays $4,678Sticker price $5,847 | Pricier than 57% of hospitals | $4,678 | $5,847 |
| Stanford Health Care CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $4,408Insurance typically pays $351Sticker price $11,019 | Pricier than 59% of hospitals | $351 | $11,019 |
| Marinhealth Medical Center Greenbrae, CA | $4,901Insurance typically pays —Sticker price $8,168 | Pricier than 60% of hospitals | — | $8,168 |
| Cedars Sinai Medical Center CA · Price file November 26, 2025 | $5,143Insurance typically pays $333Sticker price $7,913 | Pricier than 61% of hospitals | $333 | $7,913 |
| Chinese Hospital CA · Price file July 22, 2026 | $5,209Insurance typically pays $501Sticker price $5,209 | Pricier than 63% of hospitals | $501 | $5,209 |
| Sutter Solano Medical Center CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $5,217Insurance typically pays $307Sticker price $5,217 | Pricier than 64% of hospitals | $307 | $5,217 |
| Sutter Delta Medical Center CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $5,217Insurance typically pays $2,828Sticker price $5,217 | Pricier than 64% of hospitals | $2,828 | $5,217 |
| Sutter Davis Hospital CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $5,217Insurance typically pays $307Sticker price $5,217 | Pricier than 64% of hospitals | $307 | $5,217 |
| Sutter Coast Hospital CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $5,217Insurance typically pays $307Sticker price $5,217 | Pricier than 64% of hospitals | $307 | $5,217 |
| Memorial Medical Center CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $5,217Insurance typically pays $307Sticker price $5,217 | Pricier than 64% of hospitals | $307 | $5,217 |
| Sutter Medical Center Sacramento CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $5,217Insurance typically pays $307Sticker price $5,217 | Pricier than 64% of hospitals | $307 | $5,217 |
| Sutter Maternity Surgery Center Of Santa Cruz CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $5,217Insurance typically pays $2,828Sticker price $5,217 | Pricier than 64% of hospitals | $2,828 | $5,217 |
| California Pacific Medical Ctr-davies Campus Hosp CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $5,217Insurance typically pays $2,828Sticker price $5,217 | Pricier than 64% of hospitals | $2,828 | $5,217 |
| Sutter Amador Hospital CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $5,217Insurance typically pays $307Sticker price $5,217 | Pricier than 64% of hospitals | $307 | $5,217 |
| Eden Medical Center CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $5,217Insurance typically pays $2,828Sticker price $5,217 | Pricier than 64% of hospitals | $2,828 | $5,217 |
| Mills-peninsula Medical Center CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $5,217Insurance typically pays $2,828Sticker price $5,217 | Pricier than 64% of hospitals | $2,828 | $5,217 |
| Alta Bates Summit Medical Center - Alta Bates Camp CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $5,217Insurance typically pays $2,828Sticker price $5,217 | Pricier than 64% of hospitals | $2,828 | $5,217 |
| Sutter Lakeside Hospital CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $5,217Insurance typically pays $2,828Sticker price $5,217 | Pricier than 64% of hospitals | $2,828 | $5,217 |
| Sutter Tracy Community Hospital CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $5,217Insurance typically pays $307Sticker price $5,217 | Pricier than 64% of hospitals | $307 | $5,217 |
| Sutter Roseville Medical Center CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $5,217Insurance typically pays $307Sticker price $5,217 | Pricier than 64% of hospitals | $307 | $5,217 |
| Sutter Surgical Hospital North Valley CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $5,217Insurance typically pays $2,154Sticker price $5,217 | Pricier than 64% of hospitals | $2,154 | $5,217 |
| Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $5,217Insurance typically pays $2,828Sticker price $5,217 | Pricier than 64% of hospitals | $2,828 | $5,217 |
| Novato Community Hospital CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $5,217Insurance typically pays $2,828Sticker price $5,217 | Pricier than 64% of hospitals | $2,828 | $5,217 |
| California Pacific Medical Center Van Ness Campus CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $5,217Insurance typically pays $2,828Sticker price $5,217 | Pricier than 64% of hospitals | $2,828 | $5,217 |
| California Pacific Medical Center - Mission Bernal CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $5,217Insurance typically pays $2,828Sticker price $5,217 | Pricier than 64% of hospitals | $2,828 | $5,217 |
| Memorial Hospital Los Banos CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $5,217Insurance typically pays $307Sticker price $5,217 | Pricier than 64% of hospitals | $307 | $5,217 |
| Alta Bates Summit Medical Center CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $5,217Insurance typically pays $2,828Sticker price $5,217 | Pricier than 64% of hospitals | $2,828 | $5,217 |
| Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $5,217Insurance typically pays $307Sticker price $5,217 | Pricier than 64% of hospitals | $307 | $5,217 |
| Sutter Center For Psychiatry CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $5,217Insurance typically pays $307Sticker price $5,217 | Pricier than 64% of hospitals | $307 | $5,217 |
| Lucile Salter Packard Children's Hsp At Stanford CA · Price file March 31, 2026 | $6,147Insurance typically pays $5,974Sticker price $12,294 | Pricier than 96% of hospitals | $5,974 | $12,294 |
| Emanate Health Inter-community Hospital CA | $8,332Insurance typically pays $846Sticker price $8,332 | Pricier than 97% of hospitals | $846 | $8,332 |
| Emanate Health Queen Of The Valley Hospital CA | $8,332Insurance typically pays $846Sticker price $8,332 | Pricier than 97% of hospitals | $846 | $8,332 |
| Emanate Health Foothill Presbyterian Hospital CA | $8,332Insurance typically pays $846Sticker price $8,332 | Pricier than 97% of hospitals | $846 | $8,332 |
| Palmdale Regional Medical Center CA | —Insurance typically pays —Sticker price $8,390 | — | — | $8,390 |
| Southwest Healthcare System-wildomar CA | —Insurance typically pays —Sticker price $9,164 | — | — | $9,164 |
| Corona Regional Medical Center CA | —Insurance typically pays —Sticker price $8,998 | — | — | $8,998 |
| Los Robles Hospital Medical Center CA | —Insurance typically pays $518Sticker price — | — | $518 | — |
| West Hills Hospital Medical Center CA | —Insurance typically pays $518Sticker price — | — | $518 | — |
| Good Samaritan Hospital CA | —Insurance typically pays $518Sticker price — | — | $518 | — |
Procedure code 72148. Prices are from each hospital's own published price file — see methodology.