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Brain MRI Cost in Salem, OR (2026): Average Prices & What You'll Pay

What does a brain mri cost in Salem, OR?

The same brain mri in Salem, OR might cost you $197 at one facility and $266 at another - the building you walk into drives the difference. The median cash price across 3 reporting hospitals is $265. These figures come straight from hospital price transparency files published under federal law.

Where brain mri costs vary in Salem, OR

Pins show hospitals with price-transparency data (colored by vs. state average) and nearby ambulatory surgery centers, imaging centers, and other facilities (colored by type). Click any pin for facility name and estimated cost range.

Hospital (below avg) Hospital (above avg) Click a pin for details.

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.

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Cheapest Brain MRI Providers in Salem, OR

Based on declared cash/self-pay prices from CMS hospital price transparency files.

# Facility City Price vs Median
1 Salem Hospital Se, OR $265 +$0
2 Legacy Silverton Medical Center Silverton, OR $267 +$2

Prices are declared self-pay rates. Contact each facility for a formal quote before scheduling.

Quick take

  • Ask for the cash price if your deductible isn't met - the median cash price here is $265, and it's often lower than what insurance pays before your deductible is satisfied.
  • This dataset covers hospitals only - freestanding ASCs, which routinely run 30-60% cheaper for the same procedure, aren't included, so it's worth asking your doctor whether one is an option.

Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) anchors the academic tier and the Portland market. Providence Health and Legacy Health compete for commercial volume in Portland, while PeaceHealth covers the southern coast and Eugene corridor. Oregon passed aggressive price transparency legislation, and its hospital-reported data is among the most complete in the West. 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.

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Why prices vary - and what it means for your coverage

Setting matters too: the median outpatient price is $265 versus $96 inpatient, 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.

On top of the facility price, your actual bill depends on your deductible, your out-of-pocket maximum, and whether every provider involved - not just the facility - is in-network.

Your situation Estimated out-of-pocket
Deductible not yet met ~$265
Deductible met - 20% coinsurance ~$53
Out-of-network provider $583+

Frequently asked questions: brain mri costs in Salem, OR

How much does a brain mri cost in Salem, OR?

Across 3 Salem, OR hospitals that publish prices, a brain mri ranges from $96 to $267, with a median of $265. Most facilities fall between $180 and $266. 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 Salem, OR?

Based on declared prices, the lowest-cost facility in our Salem, OR data is West Valley Hospital in Dallas at about $96. Freestanding ambulatory surgery and 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 Salem, OR hospitals?

Prices vary up to 2.8× because each hospital sets its own list price, cash discount, and insurer-negotiated rates. In Salem, OR, the median cash (self-pay) price is $265 versus a median negotiated rate of $266 - about 1× higher. Asking for the cash price or 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 Salem, OR?

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

Other procedures in Salem, OR

Brain MRI, elsewhere

What matters before you schedule

ASC vs. hospital

Hospital outpatient departments typically charge 2-4x more than ASCs or independent 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 Salem, OR

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About the Author

John Caruso, FSA, MAAA

Healthcare actuary with 20+ years of experience in insurance pricing, medical billing systems, and healthcare cost analytics.

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Published June 12, 2026

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