Brain MRI Cost in Portland, ME (2026): Average Prices & What You'll Pay
What does a brain mri cost in Portland, ME?
Where you have a brain mri done in Portland, ME swings the bill from $233 to $1,348 for identical care. The median cash price across 7 reporting hospitals is $675. The numbers are pulled directly from federally mandated hospital price transparency files. Pick your coverage in the tabs below to see your number.
Insurance
With commercial insurance, brain mri in Portland, ME typically runs $233–$1,348, facility and physician fees combined. What you pay out of pocket depends on your deductible and coinsurance.
Medicare
Medicare pays the same national rate to every provider that accepts it, adjusted slightly for local wages, so choosing a different hospital doesn't change what Medicare pays. For brain mri that rate is about $266–$356 (typically near $356). After the $257 Part B deductible you generally pay 20% of the approved amount, about $71.
Read the full Medicare coverage guide →
Your personalized cost report includes:
- ✓ Why the exact same scan costs $400 at one site and $2,200 at another
- ✓ The separate radiologist bill most patients miss (and how to verify it's in-network)
- ✓ When contrast adds a charge - and when to ask if you need it
- ✓ The questions to ask before scheduling that protect you from surprise bills
- ✓ A real patient billing breakdown, line by line
Free for patients - takes 30 seconds to get.
We'll send a sign-in link to your email — click it to get your guide. No account required, no spam.
Medicaid
Medicaid is run by each state, and it pays fixed rates to the providers that accept it, so the price doesn't change from one hospital to the next. Most people on Medicaid owe nothing or a small copay for covered care, but what's covered and what you owe depends on your state and plan. CostKits doesn't show a Medicaid price here because those rates are set by the state, not negotiated by each hospital. The question that matters is whether the provider accepts your Medicaid plan, so ask before you schedule.
Your personalized cost report includes:
- ✓ Why the exact same scan costs $400 at one site and $2,200 at another
- ✓ The separate radiologist bill most patients miss (and how to verify it's in-network)
- ✓ When contrast adds a charge - and when to ask if you need it
- ✓ The questions to ask before scheduling that protect you from surprise bills
- ✓ A real patient billing breakdown, line by line
Free for patients - takes 30 seconds to get.
We'll send a sign-in link to your email — click it to get your guide. No account required, no spam.
No insurance
Posted cash prices for brain mri at 7 Portland, ME hospitals range from $181–$1,591, with a median of $675. The lowest posted price we found is MaineHealth in Westbrook, ME at $233. Ask for the cash or self-pay price and for the hospital’s financial-assistance policy before you book.
Once you have a bill or an appointment on the calendar, CostKits can help you keep it all organized.
Where brain mri costs vary in Portland, ME
Pins show hospitals with price-transparency data (colored by vs. state average) and nearby imaging centers and other facilities (colored by type). Click any pin for facility name and estimated cost range.
26+ people checked prices near them this month.
Hospital MRI costs run 2–5× more than independent imaging centers. Most patients never knew they had a choice.
Your personalized cost report includes:
- ✓ Why the exact same scan costs $400 at one site and $2,200 at another
- ✓ The separate radiologist bill most patients miss (and how to verify it's in-network)
- ✓ When contrast adds a charge - and when to ask if you need it
- ✓ The questions to ask before scheduling that protect you from surprise bills
- ✓ A real patient billing breakdown, line by line
Free for patients - takes 30 seconds to get.
We'll send a sign-in link to your email - click it to get your guide. No account required, no spam.
Cheapest Brain MRI Providers in Portland, ME
Based on declared cash/self-pay prices from CMS hospital price transparency files.
| # | Facility | City | Price | vs Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hospital name hidden | Your City, ME | $835 | -$000 |
| 2 | Hospital name hidden | Your City, ME | $836 | -$000 |
| 3 | Bridgton Hospital | Bridgton, ME | $675 | +$0 |
| 4 | MaineHealth | Brunswick, ME | $1,330 | +$655 |
| 5 | New England Rehabilitation Hospital of Portland a Joint Venture of Maine Medical Center and Encompass Health | Portland, ME | $1,419 | +$744 |
| 6 | Hospital name hidden | Your City, ME | $840 | -$000 |
Your ranked price list is on its way to your email. Open the PDF now.
Prices are declared self-pay rates. Contact each facility for a formal quote before scheduling.
Email me this price comparison plus what to ask before booking
Sends a PDF with all 7 facilities ranked cheapest first, plus a short checklist of questions that change what you pay. We don't sell your information (privacy policy).
Before you book: three questions that change the price
- Is this the self-pay price, and does it include the doctor, anesthesia and any lab or pathology? Those are often billed separately.
- Can you give me the price in writing, with the billing codes it covers?
- What happens to the price if something extra is needed during the procedure?
Estimate your out-of-pocket cost → · When the bills arrive, we check them for errors →
Quick take
- MaineHealth is the lowest-cost option at $233 - $442 below the state median, just by choosing where you go.
- Ask for the cash price if your deductible isn't met - the median cash price here is $675, and it's often lower than what insurance pays before your deductible is satisfied.
- Independent imaging centers often charge much less than hospital outpatient departments for the same scan and may not appear in this hospital-only dataset - ask your doctor whether one is an option.
| Coverage | Hospitals with a rate | Typical range | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medicare (national rate) | — | $266 to $356 | $356 |
| With insurance (commercial, average) | 6 | $389 to $1,456 | $1,219 |
| Without insurance (cash price) | 7 | $181 to $1,591 | $675 |
| Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield | 5 | $346 to $1,591 | $925 |
| Cigna | 5 | $472 to $1,521 | $943 |
| Aetna | 3 | $376 to $1,492 | $1,211 |
| UnitedHealthcare | 3 | $340 to $1,742 | $1,353 |
Rates are negotiated allowed amounts and cash prices from hospital price-transparency files (October 2026), shown at each hospital’s lowest-priced typical billing code for this procedure. Facility fees only. The typical range is the middle 80% of hospitals, not a quote for your visit.
How much does a brain mri cost with Medicare in Portland, ME?
Medicare's national hospital outpatient payment for brain mri is about $266 to $356 (typically near $356). After the $257 Part B deductible, you generally pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount, about $71 on a $356 payment, with no out-of-pocket cap unless you have supplemental coverage or a Medicare Advantage plan.
Doctor, anesthesia and pathology fees are billed separately. Medicare rates are national CMS amounts, adjusted slightly by local wage levels.
How much does a brain mri cost with insurance in Portland, ME?
Across 6 Portland, ME hospitals, the negotiated rates commercial insurers pay for brain mri average $389 to $1,456 per hospital, with a median near $1,219. That is the amount your plan and you pay the hospital together; you owe your deductible, then coinsurance, up to your out-of-pocket maximum.
Each hospital’s figure is the average of the commercial insurers it lists. Medicare, Medicare Advantage and Medicaid rates are excluded.
How much does a brain mri cost without insurance in Portland, ME?
Cash (self-pay) prices for brain mri at 7 Portland, ME hospitals range from $181 to $1,591, with a median of $675. Ask for the cash or self-pay price and for any financial-assistance discount before you book; both can be lower than the posted price.
Cash prices are the hospital’s published discounted rate for patients paying without insurance.
How much does a brain mri cost with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Portland, ME?
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield negotiated rates for brain mri at 5 Portland, ME hospitals range from $346 to $1,591, with a median near $925. Your own cost depends on your plan’s deductible and coinsurance, and on whether the hospital is in your network.
Includes Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Anthem plans listed by each hospital.
How much does a brain mri cost with Cigna in Portland, ME?
Cigna negotiated rates for brain mri at 5 Portland, ME hospitals range from $472 to $1,521, with a median near $943. If a hospital is out of network for your Cigna plan, you may owe more than the negotiated rate, so check the network first.
How much does a brain mri cost with Aetna in Portland, ME?
Aetna negotiated rates for brain mri at 3 Portland, ME hospitals range from $376 to $1,492, with a median near $1,211. If a hospital is out of network for your Aetna plan, you may owe more than the negotiated rate, so check the network first.
How much does a brain mri cost with UnitedHealthcare in Portland, ME?
UnitedHealthcare negotiated rates for brain mri at 3 Portland, ME hospitals range from $340 to $1,742, with a median near $1,353. If a hospital is out of network for your UnitedHealthcare plan, you may owe more than the negotiated rate, so check the network first.
MaineHealth is the dominant system and covers most of Maine's hospital capacity, creating a largely non-competitive market outside Portland. Maine's extensive rural hospital network includes many critical access facilities where cost-based Medicare reimbursement applies. Northern Maine is one of the most medically isolated regions in the Eastern US. Brain MRI pricing follows the same site-of-service pattern as other MRI, with hospital outpatient rates running 4–8× higher than freestanding imaging centers for an identical scan. With-contrast protocols (typically ordered for lesion characterization or post-treatment surveillance) carry a higher CPT code and higher price than non-contrast studies. If ordered as a non-urgent outpatient study, scheduling at a freestanding imaging center is the single most effective way to reduce cost.
Received a bill? Check it for errors → Estimate YOUR cost before you go → Managing more than one bill? See the family tracker →
Why prices vary - and what it means for your coverage
Setting matters too: the median outpatient price is $454 versus $1,419 inpatient (about 3.1× more), so where a procedure happens often matters more than which hospital you pick. Whether the scan happens in a hospital outpatient department (which adds a separate facility fee) or a freestanding imaging center is usually the single biggest driver of price for this procedure.
What you pay out of pocket on top of this depends on your deductible, your plan's out-of-pocket maximum, and whether every provider involved is in-network - not just the facility.
| Your situation | Estimated out-of-pocket |
|---|---|
| Deductible not yet met | ~$675 |
| Deductible met - 20% coinsurance | ~$135 |
| Out-of-network provider | $1,485+ |
Frequently asked questions: brain mri costs in Portland, ME
How much does a brain mri cost in Portland, ME?
The typical insurer-negotiated rate is $233, with most facilities between $233 and $319 (based on 7 hospitals reporting negotiated rates). Full market pricing - including cash rates, gross charges, and outlier facilities - ranges more widely, from $103 to $1,848 across all 7 Portland, ME hospitals that publish prices. What you pay depends on the facility, your insurance, and whether you have met your deductible.
Where is the cheapest place to get a brain mri in Portland, ME?
Based on declared prices, the lowest-cost facility in our Portland, ME data is Mercy Hospital in Portland at about $103. By metro, Portland has the lowest median ($1,419). Independent imaging centers are often cheaper still and may not appear in hospital price data - ask your doctor whether one is an option.
Why is a brain mri so much cheaper at some Portland, ME hospitals?
Prices vary up to 17.9× because each hospital sets its own list price, cash discount, and insurer-negotiated rates. In Portland, ME, the median cash (self-pay) price is $675 versus a median negotiated rate of $1,219 - cash is the lower number at many hospitals. Asking for the cash price as well as your insurer's negotiated rate is often the single biggest lever on what you pay.
How much will I actually pay out of pocket for a brain mri in Portland, ME?
Your out-of-pocket cost depends on your deductible, coinsurance, out-of-pocket maximum, and whether the facility is in-network - not just the sticker price. If you have not met your deductible, you will typically pay the negotiated rate in full until you do. Use the CostKits cost forecaster to estimate your specific out-of-pocket amount before you go.
Before you book
- Allowed amount vs negotiated rate: what your EOB is really saying
- How to read your medical bill
- Deductible vs out-of-pocket max
- Already have a bill? Check it for errors
- Understanding your UnitedHealthcare EOB
Other procedures in Portland, ME
Brain MRI, elsewhere
What matters before you schedule
Imaging center vs. hospital
Hospital outpatient departments typically charge 2-4x more than independent imaging centers for the same brain mri - same outcome, very different bill. The ER charges the most of any setting and should only be used when the situation is medically urgent. Call ahead and ask for a self-pay or cash quote at each setting you're considering.
With vs. without contrast
Which type your doctor orders for this brain mri changes the billing code, and what you pay. For example: A standard brain mri with no contrast dye - the most common and lowest-cost version.
This is shoppable
Brain MRI is elective and schedulable, so you have time to compare facilities before booking - hospital outpatient prices often run 2-4x higher than alternative settings for the identical clinical outcome.
What to ask before you book
Get the CPT code from your doctor, confirm every provider involved (not just the facility) is in-network, ask for the cash-pay rate if you're uninsured or haven't met your deductible, and request a written estimate for brain mri before you schedule.
CostKits compiles hospital price transparency data to help families make informed decisions. Track and manage your healthcare costs (free account).
Other Procedure Costs in Portland, ME
- Appendectomy Cost in Portland, ME
- Cataract Surgery Cost in Portland, ME
- Childbirth Cost in Portland, ME
- Cholecystectomy Cost in Portland, ME
- Colonoscopy Cost in Portland, ME
- CT Scan (Abdomen) Cost in Portland, ME
- CT Scan (Chest) Cost in Portland, ME
- CT Scan (Head) Cost in Portland, ME
- CT Scan Cost in Portland, ME
- Echocardiogram Cost in Portland, ME
- Emergency Room Visit Cost in Portland, ME
- Endoscopy Cost in Portland, ME
- Hip Replacement Cost in Portland, ME
- Hysterectomy Cost in Portland, ME
- Knee Replacement Cost in Portland, ME
- Mammogram Cost in Portland, ME
- Knee MRI Cost in Portland, ME
- MRI Cost in Portland, ME
- Spinal Fusion Cost in Portland, ME
- Ultrasound Cost in Portland, ME
- X-Ray Cost in Portland, ME
Related Articles
Interested in understanding healthcare costs and managing your medical expenses?
- Free Cost EstimatorCalculate your exact out-of-pocket cost for any procedure
- Free Bill ScreenerCheck whether your bill and paperwork are ready for a professional review
- Family Bill TrackerTrack costs across every family member and every bill in one place
- Brain MRI Cost GuideCompare Brain MRI prices across all 50 states
- Deductible vs Out-of-Pocket MaximumLearn how insurance cost-sharing works and what you actually pay
- Cost ExplorerBrowse procedures and compare prices across the country
- MRI Cost GuideCompare MRI pricing and understand imaging costs
- CT Scan Cost GuideFind detailed CT scan pricing for your state
About the Author
John Caruso, FSA, MAAA
Healthcare actuary with 20+ years of experience in insurance pricing, medical billing systems, and healthcare cost analytics.
Connect on LinkedIn →Ready to take control of your healthcare costs?
Use the free cost estimator → · Get your bill screened for free → · See the family plan →