CostKits Your Healthcare Budget

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

What does a mri brain cost in Vermont?

A typical mri brain in Vermont costs $505$2,685 for a commercially insured patient, including facility and physician fees. The median reported facility price across 9 hospitals is $1,630. This estimate is based on CMS fee schedules and hospital price transparency data published under federal law.

There's a gap between the sticker and the real price here: a median cash quote of $1,630 sits above the $189 insurers negotiate — about 8.6× higher, so asking for the cash or insurer-negotiated rate is often the single biggest lever on your bill. Vermont prices for an MRI Brain span 76.9× across 9 reporting hospitals, from $102 (Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington) up to $7,841 (Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center in Windsor) for identical care. The median Vermont price is $1,630. Most facilities fall between $355 and $2,515. Where you go inside Vermont counts as much as which plan you have: Berlin's median ($3,520) runs 2.3× Middlebury's ($1,516).

Hospital MRI costs run 2–5× more than independent imaging centers. Most patients never knew they had a choice.

The free toolkit shows you:

  • ✓ 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 email it to you immediately. No account required, no spam.

Forecast your out-of-pocket cost

How prices are distributed across Vermont hospitals:
  • Lower-cost hospitals (bottom 25%): under $355
  • Median hospital: $1,630
  • Higher-cost hospitals (top 30%): $2,515+

That's a 7× spread for the same procedure — driven entirely by which facility you choose, not by clinical complexity.

Example — two commercially insured patients in Brattleboro:
  • Patient A (higher-rate plan or out-of-network): ~$2,515
  • Patient B (lower-rate in-network plan): ~$423
Same procedure. Same week. $2,092 difference.

Where mri brain costs vary in Vermont

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.

See every Vermont hospital's price

The 5 cheapest are shown. Enter your email to reveal the rest of the map and unlock all 4 remaining facilities — instantly.

We'll email you the full Vermont price list as a PDF. Sourced from CMS files. No spam.

Estimate YOUR exact out-of-pocket cost →

Cheapest MRI Brain Providers in Vermont

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

# Facility City Price vs Median
1 Central Vermont Medical Center Berlin, VT $206 -$1,424
2 University of Vermont Medical Center Burlington, VT $318 -$1,312
3 Porter Hospital Middlebury, VT $367 -$1,263
4 North Country Hospital VT $479 -$1,151
5 Northwestern Medical Center VT $1,007 -$623
6 University of Vermont Medical Center Burlington, VT $1,630 +$0
7 University of Vermont Medical Center Burlington, VT $1,630 +$0
8 Brattleboro Memorial Hospital Brattleboro, VT $2,364 +$734

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

The facility you choose matters more than almost anything else — the same procedure, same quality, same state can cost 5× more at one hospital versus the one down the road.

Compare all procedure costs   → MRI Brain costs nationwide

Check YOUR hospital's pricing → Estimate YOUR exact cost →

Worth knowing: Declared gross charges vary significantly across Vermont hospitals — the same procedure can look very different on a hospital's price list versus what you actually owe. Cash and negotiated prices are a more practical guide.
Every hospital in this dataset offers a cash price — with a median of $1,630. If your deductible hasn't been met, always ask for the self-pay rate before scheduling.

What you'll actually pay — example scenarios

Your situation Estimated out-of-pocket
Deductible not yet met (pay in full) ~$1,752
Deductible met — 20% coinsurance ~$350
Out-of-network provider $3,854+

Based on a typical episode cost of $1,752 (facility + physician fees). Your actual cost depends on your plan deductible, coinsurance rate, and network tier. Get YOUR personalized estimate →

What this means for you

If you haven't met your deductible, you are effectively a cash-pay patient.

That means:

  • You should verify your hospital is in-network before an elective visit when possible
  • The cheapest facility can save you $-734+ vs. the median.

This is the single biggest lever most patients have to reduce their cost.

Lower-cost options in Vermont start around $355 or below. Most hospitals cluster between $355 and $2,726. A smaller group reports prices above that — often academic medical centers or high-cost markets.

If you're comparing specific hospitals, the lowest self-pay rates reported in this dataset include: Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington (cash price from $176); University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington (cash price from $1,630); Brattleboro Memorial Hospital in Brattleboro (cash price from $2,364). These are declared cash prices — contact each facility for a formal quote before scheduling.

How where you go changes what you pay for mri brain

The same mri brain bundles different services depending on the setting — facility fee, surgeon fee, and anesthesia each arrive as separate bills. Estimated ranges below reflect the typical full bundled cost, including all expected charges.

Hospital Outpatient
$402–$7,004
  • Facility fee $102–$5,704
  • Professional fee $300–$1,300

Estimated from CMS fee schedules + commercial rate multipliers

Hospital Inpatient
$402–$4,820
  • Facility fee $102–$3,520
  • Professional fee $300–$1,300

Estimated from CMS fee schedules + commercial rate multipliers

Independent Imaging Center
$355–$811
  • technical_component $232–$483
  • professional_interpretation $123–$328

Estimated from CMS fee schedules + commercial rate multipliers

Quick decision guide:
  • Best value hospitals (lowest prices): Brattleboro Memorial Hospital: $2,364; Southwestern Vermont Medical Center: $176; Central Vermont Medical Center: $3,520
  • Most expensive (outpatient): Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center: ~$5,704; Central Vermont Medical Center: ~$3,520

→ Choosing the right facility can save $-734+ vs. the state median.

Vermont MRI Brain prices by facility

All prices below come from hospital chargemasters — the official price lists each hospital must publish under federal law. Gross charge is the undiscounted list price; cash price is the self-pay rate; negotiated range covers the spread across insurance contracts.

How we calculate "Your Price" — We prioritize the most actionable price in this order:
  1. Cash price — the self-pay rate you can actually negotiate and pay
  2. Negotiated rate — if reported by the hospital across insurance contracts
  3. Gross charge — fallback only; this is the inflated list price few people pay

This reflects the real prices patients encounter — not inflated chargemaster rates.

# Facility City Your Price vs Median Gross Charge
#1 Brattleboro Memorial Hospital Brattleboro, VT $2,364 +$734 $3,377–$5,653
#2 Southwestern Vermont Medical Center Bennington, VT $176 -$1,454 $252–$309
#3 Central Vermont Medical Center Berlin, VT $3,520 +$1,890 $3,520–$6,316
#4 University of Vermont Medical Center Burlington, VT $1,630 +$0 $1,630–$7,767
#5 Porter Hospital Middlebury, VT $2,666 +$1,036 $2,666–$5,007
#6 North Country Hospital VT $479 -$1,151 $598–$6,664
#7 Northwestern Medical Center VT $1,007 -$623 $2,144–$3,120
#8 Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital, Inc. St. Johnsbury, VT $2,907 +$1,277 $3,876–$5,498
#9 Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center Windsor, VT $5,704 +$4,074 $7,130–$7,841

Unlock all 4 remaining Vermont hospitals

Enter your email to reveal the full table instantly — and we'll email you the complete price list as a PDF to keep.

We'll email you the full Vermont price list as a PDF. Sourced from CMS files. No spam.

Source: CMS hospital price transparency machine-readable files. vs Median = savings or premium relative to the state median price. Gross Charge = undiscounted list price for reference.

Received a bill? Check it for errors → Estimate YOUR cost before you go →

Compare other procedures in Vermont:

Where you can save the most on mri brain in Vermont

These facilities have the lowest declared prices relative to the state median — they represent the best opportunities to reduce your out-of-pocket cost for this procedure.

Facility City Your Price vs Median
Brattleboro Memorial Hospital Brattleboro, VT $2,364 +$734
Southwestern Vermont Medical Center Bennington, VT $176 -$1,454
Central Vermont Medical Center Berlin, VT $3,520 +$1,890
University of Vermont Medical Center Burlington, VT $1,630 +$0
Porter Hospital Middlebury, VT $2,666 +$1,036

How to choose a lower-cost facility

  • Choose independent outpatient centers when possible — freestanding ASCs (ambulatory surgical centers) consistently charge less than hospital outpatient departments for identical procedures.
  • Ask for the cash price if your deductible isn't met — self-pay rates are often lower than what insurance pays before your deductible is satisfied, especially at facilities that have a high cash-price discount.
  • Avoid hospital outpatient departments for routine cases — hospital-owned locations add a facility fee that freestanding centers don't charge, often adding $500–$1,500 to the same procedure.
Important: Many procedures are done at ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) that are often 30–60% cheaper than hospital outpatient departments with the same clinical quality. Most ASCs are not in this hospital dataset — meaning your cheapest option may not even appear here. Ask your doctor if the procedure can be done at a freestanding ASC.

Most expensive mri brain providers in Vermont

These facilities report the highest prices for this procedure. Academic medical centers and specialty hospitals often top this list — their gross charges rarely reflect what anyone actually pays, but understanding the spread helps you negotiate.

Facility City Price vs Median
Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center Windsor, VT $5,704 +$4,074
Central Vermont Medical Center Berlin, VT $3,520 +$1,890
Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital, Inc. St. Johnsbury, VT $2,907 +$1,277
Porter Hospital Middlebury, VT $2,666 +$1,036
Brattleboro Memorial Hospital Brattleboro, VT $2,364 +$734

Why prices vary this much

Setting drives much of the gap in Vermont: the median outpatient price is $1,007 versus $1,007 inpatient, so where a procedure is performed often matters more than which hospital you choose. Of the Vermont facilities reporting prices, 4 fall in a low-cost tier (up to $355) while 4 sit in a high-cost tier ($2,726 and up) — a lower-priced option almost always exists within the same state.

Among the cities with the most reporting hospitals, Brattleboro has a median reported price of $2,364 across 3 facilities, while facilities in Middlebury tend to report lower prices (median: $1,516). City-level variation within a state often reflects local market structure, not procedure complexity.

The spread comes from how each hospital sets its chargemaster (the undiscounted list price), what cash discounts it applies, and what rates it negotiates with each insurer. Facility classification matters too — a hospital-owned outpatient center adds a facility fee that a freestanding clinic does not. Understanding these mechanics is the first step to paying less.

Learn more:
Allowed amount vs negotiated rate — what your EOB is really saying
How to read your medical bill
Why hospital prices are so hard to find — and what to do about it

How insurance changes what you actually pay

Hospital list prices are only part of the picture. What you pay out of pocket depends on your deductible, your plan's out-of-pocket maximum, whether the facility is in-network, and whether your plan classifies the visit as outpatient or inpatient. A lower gross charge doesn't guarantee a lower bill if the facility is out-of-network or adds facility fees your plan doesn't cover.

Understand your cost before you go:
Deductible vs out-of-pocket max
EOB vs medical bill — complete guide
How to stop medical bill problems before they start (in-network vs out-of-network)

Compare mri brain costs in nearby states

Frequently asked questions: MRI Brain costs in Vermont

How much does an MRI Brain cost in Vermont?

Across 9 Vermont hospitals that publish prices, an MRI Brain ranges from $102 to $7,841, with a median of $1,630. Most facilities fall between $355 and $2,515. What you pay depends on the facility, your insurance, and whether you have met your deductible.

Where is the cheapest place to get an MRI Brain in Vermont?

Based on declared prices, the lowest-cost facility in our Vermont data is Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington at about $176. By metro, Middlebury has the lowest median ($1,516). 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 an MRI Brain so much cheaper at some Vermont hospitals?

Prices vary up to 76.9× because each hospital sets its own list price, cash discount, and insurer-negotiated rates. In Vermont, the median cash (self-pay) price is $1,630 versus a median negotiated rate of $189 — about 8.6× 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 an MRI Brain in Vermont?

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.

Explore all mri brain cost data

See mri brain costs across all states

Other Vermont Hospitals for MRI Brain

These hospitals are registered in the CMS National Provider Identifier (NPI) registry as active hospitals in Vermont. Cost estimates use the bundled service model for each place of service. Contact them directly for a formal quote.

Provider City Type Est. Cost
CARLOS G. OTIS HEALTH CARE CENTER INC.
8023657920
TOWNSHEND, VT Critical Access Hospital $402–$7,004 bundled est.
CENTRAL VERMONT MEDICAL CENTER INC
8023714100
BERLIN, VT General Acute Care Hospital $402–$7,004 bundled est.
COMMUNITY BIRTH GROUP
8003418598
RANDOLPH, VT General Acute Care Hospital $402–$7,004 bundled est.
COPLEY HOSPITAL
8028888888
MORRISVILLE, VT Rural Acute Care Hospital $402–$7,004 bundled est.
COPLEY HOSPITAL INC
8028888888
MORRISVILLE, VT Critical Access Hospital $402–$7,004 bundled est.
COPLEY HOSPITAL, INC
8028884231
MORRISVILLE, VT Critical Access Hospital $402–$7,004 bundled est.
COPLEY HOSPITAL, INC.
8028888888
MORRISVILLE, VT Critical Access Hospital $402–$7,004 bundled est.
COPLEY HOSPITAL, INC.
8028888888
MORRISVILLE, VT Critical Access Hospital $402–$7,004 bundled est.
FLETCHER ALLEN HEALTH CARE
8028475066
BURLINGTON, VT Women's Hospital $402–$7,004 bundled est.
FLETCHER ALLEN HEALTH CARE
8028472370
BURLINGTON, VT Children's Hospital $402–$7,004 bundled est.
FLETCHER ALLEN HEALTHCARE
8028474333
COLCHESTER, VT General Acute Care Hospital $402–$7,004 bundled est.
GIFFORD MEDICAL CENTER INC
8027287000
RANDOLPH, VT Critical Access Hospital $402–$7,004 bundled est.
▼ Show 35 more Vermont hospitals
GIFFORD MEDICAL CENTER INC.
8027287000
RANDOLPH, VT General Acute Care Hospital $402–$7,004 bundled est.
NORTHEASTERN VERMONT REGIONAL HOSPIAL
8027488141
ST JOHNSBURY, VT Critical Access Hospital $402–$7,004 bundled est.
NORTHEASTERN VERMONT REGIONAL HOSPITAL DIETARY CLINIC
8027488141
ST JOHNSBURY, VT Critical Access Hospital $402–$7,004 bundled est.
NORTHEASTERN VERMONT REGIONAL HOSPITAL INC
8027488141
ST JOHNSBURY, VT Critical Access Hospital $402–$7,004 bundled est.
NORTHEASTERN VERMONT REGIONAL HOSPITAL PT GROUP
8027488141
ST JOHNSBURY, VT Critical Access Hospital $402–$7,004 bundled est.
NORTHEASTERN VERMONT REGIONAL HOSPITAL, INC
8027488141
ST JOHNSBURY, VT Critical Access Hospital $402–$7,004 bundled est.
NORTHEASTERN VERMONT REGIONAL HOSPITAL, INC
8027488141
ST JOHNSBURY, VT Critical Access Hospital $402–$7,004 bundled est.
NORTHEASTERN VERMONT REGIONAL HOSPITAL, INC
8027456800
ST. JOHNSBURY, VT Critical Access Hospital $402–$7,004 bundled est.
NORTHEASTERN VERMONT REGIONAL HOSPITAL, INC
8027485126
ST JOHNSBURY, VT Critical Access Hospital $402–$7,004 bundled est.
NORTHEASTERN VERMONT REGIONAL HOSPITAL, INC
8027488141
ST JOHNSBURY, VT Critical Access Hospital $402–$7,004 bundled est.
NORTHEASTERN VERMONT REGIONAL HOSPITAL, INC
8027488141
ST JOHNSBURY, VT Critical Access Hospital $402–$7,004 bundled est.
NORTHEASTERN VERMONT REGIONAL HOSPITAL, INC
8027488141
ST JOHNSBURY, VT Critical Access Hospital $402–$7,004 bundled est.
NORTHEASTERN VERMONT REGIONAL HOSPITAL, INC
8027485126
ST JOHNSBURY, VT Critical Access Hospital $402–$7,004 bundled est.
NORTHEASTERN VERMONT REGIONAL HOSPITAL, INC.
8027489501
LYNDONVILLE, VT Critical Access Hospital $402–$7,004 bundled est.
NORTHEASTERN VERMONT REGIONAL HOSPITAL, INC.
8027488141
ST JOHNSBURY, VT Critical Access Hospital $402–$7,004 bundled est.
NORTHEASTERN VERMONT REGIONAL HOSPITAL, INC.
8027488141
ST JOHNSBURY, VT Critical Access Hospital $402–$7,004 bundled est.
NORTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER
8025245911
SAINT ALBANS, VT General Acute Care Hospital $402–$7,004 bundled est.
NORTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER
8025245911
SAINT ALBANS, VT General Acute Care Hospital $402–$7,004 bundled est.
NORTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER INC
8025245911
SAINT ALBANS, VT General Acute Care Hospital $402–$7,004 bundled est.
NORTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER, INC.
8025245911
SAINT ALBANS, VT General Acute Care Hospital $402–$7,004 bundled est.
NORTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER, INC.
8025242229
SAINT ALBANS, VT General Acute Care Hospital $402–$7,004 bundled est.
NORTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER, INC.
8025241074
SAINT ALBANS, VT General Acute Care Hospital $402–$7,004 bundled est.
NORTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER, INC.
8025245911
SAINT ALBANS, VT General Acute Care Hospital $402–$7,004 bundled est.
PORTER HOSPITAL INC
8023884701
MIDDLEBURY, VT Critical Access Hospital $402–$7,004 bundled est.
RUTLAND HOSPITAL, INC.
8027757111
RUTLAND, VT General Acute Care Hospital $402–$7,004 bundled est.
RUTLAND HOSPITAL, INC.
8027757111
RUTLAND, VT General Acute Care Hospital $402–$7,004 bundled est.
RUTLAND HOSPITAL, INC.
8027757111
RUTLAND, VT General Acute Care Hospital $402–$7,004 bundled est.
UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT MEDICAL CENTER INC
8028470000
BURLINGTON, VT Rural Acute Care Hospital $402–$7,004 bundled est.
VA MEDICAL CENTER
8022969363
WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, VT General Acute Care Hospital $402–$7,004 bundled est.
VA MEDICAL CENTER
8022959363
WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, VT General Acute Care Hospital $402–$7,004 bundled est.
VETERANS ADMINISTRATION WHITERIVER JUNCTION
8022959363
WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, VT General Acute Care Hospital $402–$7,004 bundled est.
VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL CENTER
8022959363
WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, VT General Acute Care Hospital $402–$7,004 bundled est.
WHITE RIVER JUNCTION VAMC
7172776565
WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, VT General Acute Care Hospital $402–$7,004 bundled est.
WINDSOR HOSPITAL CORP
8026747234
WINDSOR, VT Critical Access Hospital $402–$7,004 bundled est.
WINDSOR HOSPITAL CORPORATION
8026747374
WINDSOR, VT Critical Access Hospital $402–$7,004 bundled est.

Est. cost = bundled estimate (facility fee + professional fee + anesthesia where applicable) based on CMS fee schedules and commercial rate multipliers. Contact each provider for an actual quote.

Source: CMS NPPES NPI Registry. NPI numbers can be verified at npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov.

Where You Get an MRI Brain Matters

Hospital outpatient departments typically charge 2–4× more than ASCs or independent centers for the same procedure — same outcome, very different bill.

Hospital Outpatient Department

Hospital Outpatient Department typically carries a higher price for an mri brain. Facility fee billed separately from professional fee. Provider-based billing adds facility overhead. You can shop here — call ahead and ask for a self-pay or cash quote.

Independent Imaging Center

Independent Imaging Center typically carries the lowest typical price for an mri brain. Freestanding radiology centers. Technical component billed by center; professional (radiologist read) billed separately. You can shop here — call ahead and ask for a self-pay or cash quote.

Emergency Room MRI Brain

An MRI Brain performed in the emergency department can run 2–5× the cost of the identical scan at an outpatient or independent facility, because a hospital facility fee stacks on top. Use the ER only when the situation is medically urgent — it is not a setting where you can shop on price.

MRI Brain Cost With vs Without Contrast

Which type your doctor orders changes the billing code — and what you pay. Here's how the common types differ.

MRI Brain Without Contrast

A standard mri brain with no contrast dye — the most common and lowest-cost version.

MRI Brain With Contrast

Uses contrast dye to highlight tissue. The dye and its administration are billed on top of the base scan.

MRI Brain With and Without Contrast

Two sets of images — before and after contrast — in one visit. It costs more than either alone because both sequences are performed and interpreted.

This Procedure Is Shoppable — Choosing the Right Facility Can Save Thousands

MRI Brain is elective and schedulable. You have time to compare facilities — and hospital outpatient prices often run 2–4× higher than Hospital OP, Imaging Center for identical clinical outcomes.

How to shop: Ask your doctor for the CPT code, then call 2–3 facilities and request an out-of-pocket cost estimate. Confirm your insurance is accepted. If uninsured, ask for the cash-pay rate — it's usually 20–50% below the list price.

Prior Authorization Is Usually Required

Most commercial and Medicare Advantage plans require pre-approval for mri brain before scheduling. If your doctor submits the order without prior authorization — or if the authorization lapses — your insurer can deny the entire claim, leaving you responsible for the full cost.

Action step: Call the member services number on your insurance card before scheduling. Ask: "Does this procedure require prior authorization?" Get the authorization number in writing and confirm it's attached to the claim before your appointment.

Who performs this: MRI Brain is typically performed by a Radiology. The specialist's professional fee is billed separately from the facility charge — you will likely receive separate bills from each.


CostKits compiles hospital price transparency data to help families make informed decisions. If you've received a bill for this procedure:
Analyze your medical bill for errors
How to negotiate your medical bills
Track and manage your healthcare costs (free account)

Hospital MRI costs run 2–5× more than independent imaging centers. Most patients never knew they had a choice.

The free toolkit shows you:

  • ✓ 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 email it to you immediately. No account required, no spam.

Other Procedure Costs in Vermont

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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 March 10, 2026 · Updated May 13, 2026

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