MRI Scan of Upper Spinal Canal Before and After Contrast Cost in Virginia
What this costs without insurance: real self-pay cash prices and insurance-negotiated rates at 68 Virginia hospitals. CPT 72156. Sourced directly from each facility's CMS-mandated transparency file. Dataset: Q4 2026.
📊 Median $2,990
📉 Low $72.60
📈 High $17,753
🏥 68 hospitals
🏛️ 47 with insurance contracts
🇺🇸 Medicare $312
Hospital comparison — Virginia
Sorted by cash price (lowest first). Showing top 60 of 68 hospitals.
Billed more than $2,990 for this? That gap is evidence.
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| Hospital | Cash | Aetna | UHC | Humana | Cigna | BCBS | MultiPlan | Medicare | Molina |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CENTRA SPECIALTY HOSPITAL RIVERMONT AVE LYNCHBURG |
$72.60 | $34.20 | $89.00 | $374 | $67.60 | — | — | — | $376 |
| CENTRA SOUTHSIDE COMMUNITY HOSPITAL OAK STREET FARMVILLE |
$72.60 | $34.20 | $47.28 | $374 | $70.90 | — | — | — | $47.74 |
| CENTRA LYNCHBURG GENERAL HOSPITAL LYNCHBURG |
$72.60 | $34.20 | $89.00 | $374 | $67.60 | — | — | — | $376 |
| CENTRA BEDFORD MEMORIAL HOSPITAL BEDFORD |
$72.60 | $34.20 | $47.28 | $349 | $90.00 | — | — | — | $47.74 |
| BUCHANAN GENERAL HOSPITAL GRUNDY |
$149 | $361 | $357 | $357 | — | — | — | $357 | — |
| BATH COMMUNITY HOSPITAL HOT SPRINGS |
$443 | $602 | $2,108 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| LEE COUNTY COMMUNITY HOSPITAL PENNINGTON GAP |
$656 | $628 | $481 | $638 | $659 | $646 | — | $628 | $653 |
| LEE COUNTY COMMUNITY HOSPITAL PENNINGTON GAP |
$656 | $628 | $481 | $638 | $659 | $646 | — | $628 | $653 |
| DICKENSON COMMUNITY HOSPITAL CLINTWOOD |
$656 | $762 | $481 | $870 | $786 | $755 | — | $856 | $762 |
| LONESOME PINE HOSPITAL BIG STONE GAP |
$669 | $340 | $267 | $340 | $357 | $351 | — | $340 | $357 |
| SMYTH COUNTY COMMUNITY HOSPITAL MARION |
$669 | $340 | $340 | $340 | $357 | $351 | — | $340 | $354 |
| JOHNSTON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL ABINGDON |
$669 | $340 | $340 | $340 | $357 | $340 | — | $340 | $354 |
| RUSSELL COUNTY HOSPITAL LEBANON |
$669 | $340 | $340 | $346 | $357 | $340 | — | $340 | $354 |
| BON SECOURS SOUTHERN VIRGINIA MEDICAL CENTER EMPORIA |
$687 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| INOVA FAIRFAX HOSPITAL FALLS CHURCH |
$1,479 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| INOVA ALEXANDRIA HOSPITAL ALEXANDRIA |
$1,479 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| INOVA MOUNT VERNON HOSPITAL ALEXANDRIA |
$1,479 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| INOVA LOUDOUN HOSPITAL LEESBURG |
$1,479 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| INOVA FAIR OAKS HOSPITAL JOSEPH SIEWICK DRIVE FAIRFAX |
$1,479 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| BON SECOURS SOUTHAMPTON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL FRANKLIN |
$1,700 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| MARY WASHINGTON HOSPITAL FREDERICKSBURG |
$1,773 | $551 | $557 | $366 | — | $557 | $551 | — | $381 |
| STAFFORD HOSPITAL HOSPITAL CENTER BLVD. STAFFORD |
$1,773 | $551 | $557 | $366 | — | $557 | $551 | — | $381 |
| UVA PRINCE WILLIAM MEDICAL CENTER MANASSAS |
$2,102 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| UVA HAYMARKET MEDICAL CENTER HAYMARKET |
$2,102 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| UVA CHILDRENS LEE STREET CHARLOTTESVILLE |
$2,132 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| CARILION GILES COMMUNITY HOSPITAL BELLEVIEW AVE SE ROANOKE |
$2,257 | $306 | $309 | $309 | $4,346 | — | — | — | — |
| CARILION ROCKBRIDGE COMMUNITY HOSPITAL HEALTH CIR LEXINGTON |
$2,257 | $306 | $309 | $309 | $5,165 | — | — | — | — |
| UVA CULPEPER MEDICAL CENTER CULPEPER |
$2,334 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| CARILION NEW RIVER VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER LAMB CIRCLE CHRISTIANSBURG |
$2,430 | $306 | $309 | $309 | $4,680 | — | — | — | — |
| CARILION ROANOKE COMMUNITY HOSPITAL ELM AVE ROANOKE |
$2,430 | $306 | $309 | $309 | $4,680 | — | — | — | — |
| CARILION ROANOKE COMMUNITY HOSPITAL ELM AVE ROANOKE |
$2,430 | $306 | $309 | $309 | $4,680 | — | — | — | — |
| CARILION FRANKLIN MEMORIAL HOSPITAL S MAIN ST ROCKY MT |
$2,430 | $306 | $309 | $309 | $4,680 | — | — | — | — |
| CARILION ROANOKE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL BELLEVIEW AVE SE ROANOKE |
$2,430 | $306 | $309 | $309 | $4,680 | — | — | — | — |
| AUGUSTA HEALTH-MAIN CAMPUS FISHERSVILLE |
$2,744 | $280 | $198 | $225 | $867 | $341 | — | — | $351 |
| CARILION TAZEWELL COMMUNITY HOSPITAL BEN BOLT AVE TAZEWELL |
$2,779 | $306 | $309 | $309 | $5,042 | — | — | — | — |
| BON SECOURS RAPPAHANNOCK GENERAL HOSPITAL KILMARNOCK |
$2,855 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| SHELTERING ARMS INSTITUTE RICHMOND |
$2,990 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| FAUQUIER HOSPITAL WARRENTON |
$3,251 | $58.30 | $102 | $102 | $70.00 | $145 | — | $100 | — |
| BON SECOURS MEMORIAL REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER MECHANICSVILLE |
$3,340 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| BON SECOURS RICHMOND COMMUNITY HOSPITAL RICHMOND |
$3,340 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| BON SECOURS ST. MARY'S HOSPITAL RICHMOND |
$3,340 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| BON SECOURS ST. FRANCIS MEDICAL CENTER MIDLOTHIAN |
$3,340 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| TWIN COUNTY REGIONAL HOSPITAL GALAX |
$3,741 | $34.20 | $50.30 | $102 | $60.50 | $100 | — | $100 | — |
| VALLEY HEALTH SHENANDOAH MEMORIAL HOSPITAL WOODSTOCK |
$4,582 | $775 | $775 | $1,946 | $1,333 | $775 | — | — | — |
| VALLEY HEALTH WINCHESTER MEDICAL CENTER WINCHESTER |
$4,582 | $145 | $350 | $384 | $1,333 | $375 | — | — | — |
| PAGE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL LURAY |
$4,582 | $829 | $829 | $2,080 | $4,883 | $829 | — | — | — |
| VALLEY HEALTH WARREN MEMORIAL HOSPITAL FRONT ROYAL |
$4,582 | $145 | $361 | $361 | $1,333 | $368 | — | — | — |
| WYTHE COUNTY COMMUNITY HOSPITAL WYTHEVILLE |
$5,236 | $41.60 | $63.10 | $100 | $64.70 | $100 | — | $100 | — |
| SOVAH HEALTH DANVILLE DANVILLE |
$5,314 | $51.90 | $54.62 | $102 | $58.90 | $100 | $90.00 | $100 | — |
| SOVAH HEALTH MARTINSVILLE MARTINSVILLE |
$7,271 | $51.90 | $54.62 | $102 | $58.90 | $100 | $90.00 | $100 | — |
| BON SECOURS SOUTHSIDE REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER PETERSBURG |
$7,423 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| LEWISGALE HOSPITAL MONTGOMERY BLACKSBURG |
$7,673 | $2,994 | $828 | — | $1,335 | — | $5,908 | — | — |
| PARHAM DOCTORS' HOSPITAL RICHMOND |
$7,981 | $1,387 | $828 | — | — | — | $7,183 | — | — |
| RETREAT DOCTORS' HOSPITAL RICHMOND |
$7,981 | $1,387 | $828 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| HENRICO DOCTORS' HOSPITAL RICHMOND |
$7,981 | $1,387 | $828 | — | — | — | $7,183 | — | — |
| JOHNSTON-WILLIS HOSPITAL RICHMOND |
$8,058 | $1,387 | $828 | — | — | — | $7,252 | — | — |
| SWIFT CREEK ER CHESTERFIELD |
$8,058 | $1,387 | $828 | — | — | — | $7,252 | — | — |
| TRICITIES HOSPITAL HOPEWELL |
$8,058 | $1,387 | $828 | — | — | — | $7,252 | — | — |
| BON SECOURS MARYVIEW MEDICAL CENTER PORTSMOUTH |
$8,206 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| BON SECOURS HARBOUR VIEW MEDICAL CENTER SUFFOLK |
$8,206 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
What these prices are. Each figure is the facility’s own published self-pay (cash) price for CPT 72156, filed under the federal price transparency rule (45 CFR Part 180). Hospital facility charges may not include separate physician, anesthesia, or pathology fees. National median for this code: $2,744 across all reporting facilities. Dataset: Q4 2026. Always confirm the final price with the facility before booking.
Billed more than $2,990 for this?
That is the median of what the 68 Virginia hospitals above publish for Mri scan of upper spinal canal before and after contrast — their own figures, filed under federal law. A bill well above them is evidence you can put in writing.
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Medicare reimbursement benchmark
For CPT 72156 in Virginia, Medicare reimburses about $312 on the 2026 Physician Fee Schedule (non-facility, state average across localities). Hospital cash prices for the same code in Virginia range from $72.60 to $17,753 — that means hospital cash prices are typically 9.6x what Medicare pays. If a self-pay quote you receive is more than 2-3x the Medicare rate, ask the hospital for the cash-discount price in writing.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does mri scan of upper spinal canal before and after contrast cost in Virginia?
- Cash prices for mri scan of upper spinal canal before and after contrast (CPT 72156) in Virginia range from $72.60 to $17,753, with a median of $2,990. Prices vary widely by hospital.
- Where can I find the cheapest mri scan of upper spinal canal before and after contrast in Virginia?
- The cheapest Virginia hospital published cash price for this procedure is $72.60. Use the table above sorted by cash price to find the lowest-priced facility near you.
- Are these the prices I'll pay?
- These are the rates hospitals publish. Final price depends on your insurance, deductible, and the specific services billed. Always confirm with the facility and your insurer before any procedure.
- Why do prices vary so much between hospitals?
- Hospitals set cash prices independently, and insurance contracts negotiate different rates per payer. Two facilities a few miles apart can charge 5-10x different prices for the same procedure.
- Where does this data come from?
- Federal law (45 CFR § 180) requires hospitals to publish their pricing in a machine-readable file. We aggregate these files and republish in a consumer-friendly format.
Mri scan of upper spinal canal before and after contrast in nearby states
Other procedures in Virginia
Methodology. Cash prices and insurance-negotiated rates published by each Virginia facility under federal price transparency rules (45 CFR § 180). CPT code 72156 (Imaging). Data refreshed regularly; verify with the facility before any procedure.