MRI lower back with and 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 $71 to $12,396. The typical hospital charges $5,390. Where a hospital sits on this scale matters more than the number alone:
typical: $5,390
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glendale Adventist Medical Center CA · Price file July 30, 2026 | $71Insurance typically pays $312Sticker price $472 | Lowest price of any hospital | $312 | $472 |
| Adventist Health Sonora CA · Price file May 23, 2026 | $73Insurance typically pays $376Sticker price $427 | Cheaper than 99% of hospitals | $376 | $427 |
| Adventist Health Reedley CA · Price file August 2, 2026 | $81Insurance typically pays $312Sticker price $427 | Cheaper than 97% of hospitals | $312 | $427 |
| Adventist Health Ukiah Valley CA · Price file May 24, 2026 | $85Insurance typically pays $471Sticker price $427 | Cheaper than 96% of hospitals | $471 | $427 |
| Adventist Health Howard Memorial CA · Price file August 2, 2026 | $128Insurance typically pays $335Sticker price $427 | Cheaper than 94% of hospitals | $335 | $427 |
| Eisenhower Medical Center Rancho Mirage, CA · Price file April 2, 2026 | $167Insurance typically pays $449Sticker price $6,054 | Cheaper than 93% of hospitals | $449 | $6,054 |
| Adventist Health Lodi Memorial CA · Price file August 2, 2026 | $565Insurance typically pays $460Sticker price $8,068 | Cheaper than 92% of hospitals | $460 | $8,068 |
| Adventist Health Tehachapi Valley CA · Price file May 21, 2026 | $641Insurance typically pays $570Sticker price $2,375 | Cheaper than 90% of hospitals | $570 | $2,375 |
| Community Memorial Hospital - Ventura Ventura, CA · Price file June 15, 2026 | $914Insurance typically pays —Sticker price $2,286 | Cheaper than 89% of hospitals | — | $2,286 |
| Adventist Health Bakersfield CA · Price file October 5, 2026 | $1,082Insurance typically pays $584Sticker price $7,216 | Cheaper than 87% of hospitals | $584 | $7,216 |
| Adventist Health Simi Valley CA · Price file May 21, 2026 | $1,447Insurance typically pays $3,208Sticker price $9,044 | Cheaper than 86% of hospitals | $3,208 | $9,044 |
| San Antonio Regional Hospital CA · Price file April 2, 2026 | $1,461Insurance typically pays $759Sticker price $16,320 | Cheaper than 85% of hospitals | $759 | $16,320 |
| Adventist Health St Helena CA | $1,535Insurance typically pays $2,560Sticker price $10,235 | Cheaper than 83% of hospitals | $2,560 | $10,235 |
| Adventist Health Hanford CA · Price file August 1, 2026 | $1,751Insurance typically pays $449Sticker price $9,217 | Cheaper than 82% of hospitals | $449 | $9,217 |
| Adventist Health Tulare CA · Price file May 22, 2026 | $1,751Insurance typically pays $449Sticker price $9,217 | Cheaper than 82% of hospitals | $449 | $9,217 |
| Adventist Health Delano CA · Price file July 29, 2026 | $1,865Insurance typically pays $772Sticker price $9,323 | Cheaper than 79% of hospitals | $772 | $9,323 |
| Adventist Health Clearlake CA · Price file July 29, 2026 | $1,946Insurance typically pays $4,324Sticker price $5,405 | Cheaper than 77% of hospitals | $4,324 | $5,405 |
| University Of California Irvine Medical Center CA · Price file July 1, 2024 | $1,996Insurance typically pays —Sticker price $6,655 | Cheaper than 76% of hospitals | — | $6,655 |
| Orchard Hospital CA · Price file October 23, 2026 | $2,143Insurance typically pays $613Sticker price $3,572 | Cheaper than 75% of hospitals | $613 | $3,572 |
| Oak Valley Hospital District CA · Price file July 17, 2026 | $2,212Insurance typically pays $1,711Sticker price $2,950 | Cheaper than 73% of hospitals | $1,711 | $2,950 |
| Adventist Health And Rideout CA · Price file July 6, 2026 | $2,379Insurance typically pays $5,584Sticker price $10,814 | Cheaper than 72% of hospitals | $5,584 | $10,814 |
| White Memorial Medical Center CA | $2,498Insurance typically pays $635Sticker price $13,880 | Cheaper than 70% of hospitals | $635 | $13,880 |
| Providence Little Co Of Mary Med Ctr San Pedro CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $2,599Insurance typically pays $747Sticker price $7,427 | Cheaper than 69% of hospitals | $747 | $7,427 |
| Providence Little Company Of Mary Med Ctr Torrance CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $2,599Insurance typically pays $771Sticker price $7,427 | Cheaper than 69% of hospitals | $771 | $7,427 |
| Providence Holy Cross Medical Center CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $2,970Insurance typically pays $671Sticker price $8,485 | Cheaper than 66% of hospitals | $671 | $8,485 |
| Redlands Community Hospital CA · Price file June 19, 2026 | $3,032Insurance typically pays $583Sticker price $12,632 | Cheaper than 65% of hospitals | $583 | $12,632 |
| Kaweah Health Medical Center CA · Price file July 14, 2026 | $3,293Insurance typically pays —Sticker price $3,293 | Cheaper than 63% of hospitals | — | $3,293 |
| Tahoe Forest Hospital CA · Price file September 28, 2026 | $3,648Insurance typically pays $674Sticker price $3,648 | Cheaper than 62% of hospitals | $674 | $3,648 |
| Natividad Medical Center CA · Price file August 14, 2026 | $3,862Insurance typically pays $404Sticker price $3,862 | Cheaper than 61% of hospitals | $404 | $3,862 |
| Providence Mission Hospital CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $3,918Insurance typically pays $611Sticker price $8,164 | Cheaper than 59% of hospitals | $611 | $8,164 |
| Providence Queen Of The Valley Medical Center CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $4,140Insurance typically pays $617Sticker price $5,915 | Cheaper than 58% of hospitals | $617 | $5,915 |
| Adventist Health Mendocino Coast CA · Price file August 2, 2026 | $4,312Insurance typically pays $584Sticker price $6,534 | Cheaper than 56% of hospitals | $584 | $6,534 |
| Providence St. Joseph Hospital CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $4,320Insurance typically pays $611Sticker price $9,000 | Cheaper than 55% of hospitals | $611 | $9,000 |
| El Camino Health Mountain View, CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $4,570Insurance typically pays —Sticker price $18,278 | Cheaper than 54% of hospitals | — | $18,278 |
| El Centro Regional Medical Center CA · Price file June 17, 2026 | $4,649Insurance typically pays $584Sticker price $6,641 | Cheaper than 52% of hospitals | $584 | $6,641 |
| Sonoma Valley Hospital CA · Price file May 22, 2026 | $5,329Insurance typically pays $3,550Sticker price $7,614 | Cheaper than 51% of hospitals | $3,550 | $7,614 |
| Ventura County Medical Center - Santa Paula Hospital CA · Price file November 3, 2026 | $5,450Insurance typically pays $730Sticker price $10,900 | Pricier than 51% of hospitals | $730 | $10,900 |
| Marinhealth Medical Center Greenbrae, CA | $5,644Insurance typically pays —Sticker price $9,406 | Pricier than 52% of hospitals | — | $9,406 |
| George L Mee Memorial Hospital CA · Price file October 28, 2026 | $5,654Insurance typically pays $6,030Sticker price $7,538 | Pricier than 54% of hospitals | $6,030 | $7,538 |
| Providence Cedars Sinai Tarzana Medical Center CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $6,098Insurance typically pays $5,796Sticker price $7,818 | Pricier than 55% of hospitals | $5,796 | $7,818 |
| Stanford Health Care CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $6,292Insurance typically pays $513Sticker price $15,731 | Pricier than 56% of hospitals | $513 | $15,731 |
| Providence St. Jude Medical Center CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $6,774Insurance typically pays $611Sticker price $14,112 | Pricier than 58% of hospitals | $611 | $14,112 |
| Chinese Hospital CA · Price file July 22, 2026 | $6,946Insurance typically pays $747Sticker price $6,946 | Pricier than 59% of hospitals | $747 | $6,946 |
| Lucile Salter Packard Children's Hsp At Stanford CA · Price file March 31, 2026 | $7,683Insurance typically pays $7,733Sticker price $15,366 | Pricier than 61% of hospitals | $7,733 | $15,366 |
| Cedars Sinai Medical Center CA · Price file November 26, 2025 | $8,224Insurance typically pays $560Sticker price $12,652 | Pricier than 62% of hospitals | $560 | $12,652 |
| Sutter Tracy Community Hospital CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $8,441Insurance typically pays $449Sticker price $8,441 | Pricier than 63% of hospitals | $449 | $8,441 |
| Sutter Amador Hospital CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $8,441Insurance typically pays $449Sticker price $8,441 | Pricier than 63% of hospitals | $449 | $8,441 |
| Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $8,441Insurance typically pays $449Sticker price $8,441 | Pricier than 63% of hospitals | $449 | $8,441 |
| Sutter Center For Psychiatry CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $8,441Insurance typically pays $449Sticker price $8,441 | Pricier than 63% of hospitals | $449 | $8,441 |
| Alta Bates Summit Medical Center CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $8,441Insurance typically pays $4,882Sticker price $8,441 | Pricier than 63% of hospitals | $4,882 | $8,441 |
| California Pacific Medical Center Van Ness Campus CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $8,441Insurance typically pays $4,882Sticker price $8,441 | Pricier than 63% of hospitals | $4,882 | $8,441 |
| California Pacific Medical Center - Mission Bernal CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $8,441Insurance typically pays $4,882Sticker price $8,441 | Pricier than 63% of hospitals | $4,882 | $8,441 |
| Memorial Hospital Los Banos CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $8,441Insurance typically pays $449Sticker price $8,441 | Pricier than 63% of hospitals | $449 | $8,441 |
| Eden Medical Center CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $8,441Insurance typically pays $4,882Sticker price $8,441 | Pricier than 63% of hospitals | $4,882 | $8,441 |
| California Pacific Medical Ctr-davies Campus Hosp CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $8,441Insurance typically pays $4,882Sticker price $8,441 | Pricier than 63% of hospitals | $4,882 | $8,441 |
| Sutter Medical Center Sacramento CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $8,441Insurance typically pays $449Sticker price $8,441 | Pricier than 63% of hospitals | $449 | $8,441 |
| Sutter Roseville Medical Center CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $8,441Insurance typically pays $449Sticker price $8,441 | Pricier than 63% of hospitals | $449 | $8,441 |
| Sutter Surgical Hospital North Valley CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $8,441Insurance typically pays $4,317Sticker price $8,441 | Pricier than 63% of hospitals | $4,317 | $8,441 |
| Mills-peninsula Medical Center CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $8,441Insurance typically pays $4,882Sticker price $8,441 | Pricier than 63% of hospitals | $4,882 | $8,441 |
| Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $8,441Insurance typically pays $4,882Sticker price $8,441 | Pricier than 63% of hospitals | $4,882 | $8,441 |
| Sutter Solano Medical Center CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $8,441Insurance typically pays $449Sticker price $8,441 | Pricier than 63% of hospitals | $449 | $8,441 |
| Sutter Maternity Surgery Center Of Santa Cruz CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $8,441Insurance typically pays $4,882Sticker price $8,441 | Pricier than 63% of hospitals | $4,882 | $8,441 |
| Alta Bates Summit Medical Center - Alta Bates Camp CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $8,441Insurance typically pays $4,882Sticker price $8,441 | Pricier than 63% of hospitals | $4,882 | $8,441 |
| Novato Community Hospital CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $8,441Insurance typically pays $4,882Sticker price $8,441 | Pricier than 63% of hospitals | $4,882 | $8,441 |
| Sutter Lakeside Hospital CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $8,441Insurance typically pays $4,882Sticker price $8,441 | Pricier than 63% of hospitals | $4,882 | $8,441 |
| Sutter Delta Medical Center CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $8,441Insurance typically pays $4,882Sticker price $8,441 | Pricier than 63% of hospitals | $4,882 | $8,441 |
| Sutter Davis Hospital CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $8,441Insurance typically pays $449Sticker price $8,441 | Pricier than 63% of hospitals | $449 | $8,441 |
| Sutter Coast Hospital CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $8,441Insurance typically pays $449Sticker price $8,441 | Pricier than 63% of hospitals | $449 | $8,441 |
| Memorial Medical Center CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $8,441Insurance typically pays $449Sticker price $8,441 | Pricier than 63% of hospitals | $449 | $8,441 |
| Emanate Health Inter-community Hospital CA | $12,396Insurance typically pays $1,250Sticker price $12,396 | Pricier than 97% of hospitals | $1,250 | $12,396 |
| Emanate Health Foothill Presbyterian Hospital CA | $12,396Insurance typically pays $1,250Sticker price $12,396 | Pricier than 97% of hospitals | $1,250 | $12,396 |
| Emanate Health Queen Of The Valley Hospital CA | $12,396Insurance typically pays $1,250Sticker price $12,396 | Pricier than 97% of hospitals | $1,250 | $12,396 |
| West Hills Hospital Medical Center CA | —Insurance typically pays $828Sticker price — | — | $828 | — |
| Corona Regional Medical Center CA | —Insurance typically pays —Sticker price $10,672 | — | — | $10,672 |
| Good Samaritan Hospital CA | —Insurance typically pays $828Sticker price — | — | $828 | — |
| Palmdale Regional Medical Center CA | —Insurance typically pays —Sticker price $10,968 | — | — | $10,968 |
| Southwest Healthcare System-wildomar CA | —Insurance typically pays —Sticker price $11,638 | — | — | $11,638 |
| Los Robles Hospital Medical Center CA | —Insurance typically pays $828Sticker price — | — | $828 | — |
Procedure code 72158. Prices are from each hospital's own published price file — see methodology.