MRI of the wrist without contrast Cost by Hospital

MRI of the wrist without contrast is a diagnostic imaging scan. Prices are from 2229 US hospitals across 52 states, from their machine-readable files.

$1,855median cash price · 2229 hospitals, 52 statestypically $553–$5,037 depending on the hospital
≈ 6.1× Medicare · High vs MedicareFind hospitals near you

Price comparison (median)

Chargemaster (list price)
$3,187
Cash / self-pay
$1,855
Insurer-negotiated
$747
Medicare pays
$303
$553$5,037
Median cash $1,855  ·  Medicare $303  ·  bar = typical cash range (10th–90th percentile)
Is this a fair price?
1× Medicarefair ≈2×5×+

Typical cash price here is $1,855 — about 6.1× the Medicare rate ($303). High vs Medicare. A fair cash price is usually within ~2× Medicare ($607).

💡 Asking for the cash price instead of the $3,187 list price could save about $1,332 (42%).

Estimate what you’ll pay
Quick fill:

Rough estimate from this procedure’s median insurer-negotiated rate. Your actual cost depends on your plan — confirm with your insurer.

Lowest cash prices

HospitalLocationCashInsurerCMS ratingER waitReadmit
The East Alabama Healthcare Authority Opelika, AL $279 $262 ★ 3/5 200 min —
Eamc-Lanier Valley, AL $279 $262 — — —
Banner Gateway Medical Center Gilbert, AZ $280 $872 ★ 3/5 224 min —
St Joseph's Medical Center Yonkers, NY $280 $504 ★ 1/5 201 min —
Thomas Jefferson University Hospital Philadelphia, PA $282 $232 ★ 3/5 236 min —
St Mary's General Hospital Passaic, NJ $282 $345 ★ 3/5 182 min —
Jefferson Einstein Philadelphia Hospital Philadelphia, PA $283 $269 ★ 3/5 268 min —
Jefferson Einstein Montgomery Hospital East Norriton, PA $283 $258 ★ 4/5 297 min —
Lincoln Medical & Mental Health Center Bronx, NY $286 $535 ★ 2/5 234 min —
Jacobi Medical Center Bronx, NY $286 $558 ★ 2/5 220 min —
Elmhurst Hospital Center Elmhurst, NY $286 $533 ★ 2/5 278 min —
Bronx VA Medical Center Bronx, NY $286 $530 ★ 4/5 — —
South Brooklyn Health Brooklyn, NY $286 $554 ★ 2/5 160 min —
Metropolitan Hospital Center New York, NY $286 $531 ★ 3/5 171 min —
Kings County Hospital Center Brooklyn, NY $286 $552 ★ 1/5 261 min —
Bellevue Hospital Center New York, NY $286 $551 ★ 2/5 181 min —
Queens Hospital Center Jamaica, NY $286 $547 ★ 2/5 245 min —
Harlem Hospital Center New York, NY $286 $547 ★ 2/5 144 min —
Woodhull Medical & Mental Health Center Brooklyn, NY $286 $531 ★ 2/5 198 min —
Jefferson Health-Northeast Philadelphia, PA $288 $223 ★ 2/5 316 min —
Penn State Health Holy Spirit Medical Center Camp Hill, PA $289 $295 ★ 3/5 252 min —
University Medical Center of El Paso El Paso, TX $290 $238 ★ 3/5 240 min —
Banner Baywood Medical Center Mesa, AZ $293 $849 ★ 2/5 259 min —
Bertrand Chaffee Hospital Springville, NY $293 $287 — 145 min —
Saint Thomas Hospital for Spinal Surgery Nashville, TN $298 $366 — — —

CMS rating = overall hospital star rating (1–5); ER wait = median minutes in the emergency department; Readmit = 30-day readmission rate (lower is better) — all from Medicare’s Care Compare; “—” = not reported. Data last updated October 2026. Prices from hospitals’ machine-readable files (45 CFR §180); Medicare benchmark from CMS PFS/CLFS/IPPS. Prices below 15% of the median are excluded as likely partial or mis-coded charges. Estimates — confirm with the hospital. Report an incorrect price.

What insurers pay for MRI of the wrist without contrast

Median in-network negotiated rate by insurer, across hospitals that publish it (cheapest first). Your actual rate depends on your specific plan and deductible. Cash / self-pay for comparison: $1,855; Medicare pays $303.

InsurerHospitalsNegotiated median
Univera 16
$243
$54 – $364
Medicare 555
$250
$67 – $962
Devoted Health 157
$251
$221 – $819
Amerigroup 168
$252
$136 – $892
Molina Healthcare 555
$257
$104 – $1,177
Tricare / VA 398
$280
$167 – $2,184
Medicaid 333
$288
$56 – $1,201
Independent Health 29
$296
$68 – $579
Highmark 134
$310
$140 – $953
Centene / Ambetter 788
$310
$140 – $1,226
Bright Health 39
$385
$285 – $4,962
Anthem 548
$425
$155 – $1,803
EmblemHealth 78
$427
$298 – $1,404
Oscar Health 172
$463
$227 – $2,542
Geisinger 69
$511
$130 – $1,647
UPMC Health Plan 96
$513
$226 – $1,858
UnitedHealthcare 1503
$515
$177 – $2,903
Priority Health 58
$516
$93 – $2,430
UCare 70
$521
$135 – $2,768
AmeriHealth 227
$527
$158 – $1,363
MVP Health Care 84
$565
$84 – $2,331
SelectHealth 48
$581
$224 – $1,992
Humana 979
$599
$214 – $2,272
Workers' Comp / No-Fault 148
$677
$135 – $4,065
Kaiser Permanente 196
$684
$244 – $3,358
Harvard Pilgrim 57
$691
$142 – $2,567
Blue Cross Blue Shield 1246
$711
$215 – $2,890
Health Net 307
$945
$238 – $4,800
Aetna 1422
$1,053
$224 – $3,553
HealthPartners 241
$1,068
$167 – $3,593
Cigna 1149
$1,236
$254 – $4,277
Medica 229
$1,332
$184 – $3,360
Security Health Plan 64
$1,634
$60 – $3,291
Coventry 156
$1,794
$243 – $4,965
Healthcare Highways 37
$1,800
$265 – $3,053
Sanford Health Plan 71
$1,817
$230 – $3,283
MultiPlan / PHCS network 846
$2,596
$751 – $5,617
AvMed 67
$2,741
$986 – $3,535

Negotiated rates are from hospitals’ machine-readable files (45 CFR §180); payer names are normalized to major brands, so a brand may span several plans. Estimates — confirm with your insurer.

Where it’s cheapest

StateMedian cash
Rhode Island$567
New Jersey$752
Arkansas$811
Arizona$859
New York$885
Tennessee$913

Prices by city

Prices by state

Doctors who perform this

Clinicians who reported the most Medicare volume for this service. This reflects Original Medicare activity only and is a volume signal, not a quality ranking.

ClinicianSpecialtyLocationMedicare services
Mark Decker, MDDiagnostic RadiologyLindenhurst, NY441
Steven Needell, M.D.Diagnostic RadiologyBoca Raton, FL229
Adam Olmsted, MDDiagnostic RadiologyCincinnati, OH199
Robert Goodman, M.D.RheumatologyShreveport, LA165
Ross Borzykowski, M.D.Diagnostic RadiologyBoca Raton, FL139
Douglas Adolphson, MDDiagnostic RadiologyGainesville, FL98
Alex Rosioreanu, MDDiagnostic RadiologyLindenhurst, NY97
Gilbert Maulsby, M.D.Diagnostic RadiologyCincinnati, OH94
James Shelby, MDDiagnostic RadiologyBoca Raton, FL89
Alison Nguyen, MDDiagnostic RadiologyHenderson, NV81
Meera Oza, MDRheumatologyOrange Park, FL74
Cono Gallo, MDDiagnostic RadiologyLindenhurst, NY69

Browse doctors by specialty & city →

Does Medicare cover MRI of the wrist without contrast?

Yes — Medicare generally covers MRI of the wrist without contrast. It is typically an outpatient service under Medicare Part B, with a Medicare-approved amount of about $303. After your annual Part B deductible, you typically owe the 20% coinsurance — roughly $61 — unless a Medicare Advantage or supplemental (Medigap) plan covers it.

General guidance from Medicare’s national rates — your actual coverage and share depend on medical necessity, your plan, and where the service is performed. Confirm with Medicare or your plan.

About these prices

Based on prices published by 2229 US hospitals across 52 states, the typical (median) cash price is $1,855, versus a chargemaster (list) price around $3,187, a median insurer-negotiated rate of $747, a Medicare rate of about $303. Most cash prices fall between $553 and $5,037 — a wide spread, which is exactly why comparing hospitals pays off.

How to save

  • Ask each hospital for its cash / self-pay price — for shoppable services it is often far below the list price.
  • Compare several nearby hospitals; prices for the same service can differ severalfold.
  • Request a written estimate and the billing code (CPT/DRG) before scheduling.
  • Use the Medicare benchmark above to judge whether a quote is reasonable.
  • If you are uninsured, ask about financial assistance or prompt-pay discounts.

Frequently asked questions

How much does MRI of the wrist without contrast cost without insurance?
The median cash (self-pay) price across 2229 US hospitals is $1,855. Most hospitals fall between $553 and $5,037. Prices vary widely between hospitals, so it pays to compare before you book.
Does Medicare cover MRI of the wrist without contrast?
Yes — it is generally covered under Medicare Part B as an outpatient service (Medicare-approved amount about $303). After your Part B deductible you typically owe 20% coinsurance, unless a Medicare Advantage or Medigap plan covers it.
What does Medicare pay for MRI of the wrist without contrast?
Medicare pays about $303. We show this as a benchmark — a fair cash price is often within a few multiples of the Medicare rate.
Why do MRI of the wrist without contrast prices vary between hospitals?
Hospitals set their own chargemaster and cash prices and negotiate different rates with each insurer, so two hospitals in the same area can charge very differently for the same service.
Is the cash price lower than using insurance?
Sometimes. If you are uninsured or have a high deductible, the cash/self-pay price can be lower than the insurer-negotiated rate — ask the hospital for both.

Related Imaging & Radiology

See more Imaging & Radiology.