Knee MRI Cost in Los Angeles, CA (2026): Average Prices & What You'll Pay
What does a knee mri cost in Los Angeles, CA?
You could pay $305 or $328 for the same knee mri in Los Angeles, CA - depending entirely on which facility you choose. The median cash price across 31 reporting hospitals is $306. This data comes directly from hospital price transparency files published under federal law.
Where knee mri costs vary in Los Angeles, CA
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.
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 Knee MRI Providers in Los Angeles, CA
Based on declared cash/self-pay prices from CMS hospital price transparency files.
| # | Facility | City | Price | vs Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LOS ANGELES GENERAL MEDICAL CENTER | Los Angeles, CA | $282 | -$24 |
| 2 | HARBOR-UCLA MEDICAL CENTER | Torrance, CA | $282 | -$24 |
| 3 | RANCHO LOS AMIGOS NATIONAL REHABILITATION CENTER | Downey, CA | $283 | -$23 |
| 4 | Long Beach Memorial Medical Center | Long Beach, CA | $291 | -$15 |
| 5 | MemorialCare Miller Children's & Women's Hospital Long Beach | Long Beach, CA | $291 | -$15 |
| 6 | Sherman Oaks Hospital | CA | $305 | -$1 |
| 7 | St Francis Medical Center | CA | $305 | -$1 |
| 8 | San Dimas Community Hospital | CA | $305 | -$1 |
Prices are declared self-pay rates. Contact each facility for a formal quote before scheduling.
Quick take
- LOS ANGELES GENERAL MEDICAL CENTER is the lowest-cost option at $282 - $24 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 $306, 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.
California has the most competitive commercial hospital market in the country, with aggressive multi-system competition in every major metro driving meaningful price variation. Kaiser Permanente's integrated payer-provider model covers roughly 40% of the insured population in the state - if you're Kaiser-enrolled, the prices here largely don't apply. California's robust price transparency enforcement under SB 1204 means the data here is more complete than in most states. Knee MRI is one of the most commonly ordered orthopedic imaging studies and one of the clearest examples of site-of-service pricing: the identical scan costs $200–$500 at an independent imaging center and $1,500–$3,500 at a hospital outpatient department. Most knee MRIs are ordered non-urgently after an orthopedic consultation, giving patients time to compare prices across freestanding centers before scheduling. Contrast is rarely needed for routine knee MRI.
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
A small number of hospitals (6) report prices above $620, including Cedars-Sinai Marina Hospital at $3,195, which drives most of the overall spread - excluding them, most facilities cluster in a much tighter band. Setting matters too: the median outpatient price is $306 versus $335 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.
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 | ~$306 |
| Deductible met - 20% coinsurance | ~$61 |
| Out-of-network provider | $673+ |
Frequently asked questions: knee mri costs in Los Angeles, CA
How much does a knee mri cost in Los Angeles, CA?
Across 31 Los Angeles, CA hospitals that publish prices, a knee mri ranges from $226 to $3,195, with a median of $306. Most facilities fall between $305 and $328. What you pay depends on the facility, your insurance, and whether you have met your deductible.
Where is the cheapest place to get a knee mri in Los Angeles, CA?
Based on declared prices, the lowest-cost facility in our Los Angeles, CA data is Martin Luther King, Jr Los Angeles MLKLA Healthcare Corporation in Los Angeles at about $226. By metro, Long Beach has the lowest median ($291). 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 knee mri so much cheaper at some Los Angeles, CA hospitals?
Prices vary up to 14.1× because each hospital sets its own list price, cash discount, and insurer-negotiated rates. In Los Angeles, CA, the median cash (self-pay) price is $306 versus a median negotiated rate of $206 - about 1.5× 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 knee mri in Los Angeles, CA?
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 Los Angeles, CA
Knee 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 knee 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 knee mri changes the billing code, and what you pay. For example: A standard knee mri with no contrast dye - the most common and lowest-cost version.
This is shoppable
Knee 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 knee 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 Los Angeles, CA
- Appendectomy Cost in Los Angeles, CA
- Cataract Surgery Cost in Los Angeles, CA
- Childbirth Cost in Los Angeles, CA
- Cholecystectomy Cost in Los Angeles, CA
- Colonoscopy Cost in Los Angeles, CA
- CT Scan (Abdomen) Cost in Los Angeles, CA
- CT Scan (Chest) Cost in Los Angeles, CA
- CT Scan (Head) Cost in Los Angeles, CA
- CT Scan Cost in Los Angeles, CA
- Echocardiogram Cost in Los Angeles, CA
- Emergency Room Visit Cost in Los Angeles, CA
- Endoscopy Cost in Los Angeles, CA
- Hip Replacement Cost in Los Angeles, CA
- Hysterectomy Cost in Los Angeles, CA
- Knee Replacement Cost in Los Angeles, CA
- Mammogram Cost in Los Angeles, CA
- Brain MRI Cost in Los Angeles, CA
- MRI Cost in Los Angeles, CA
- Spinal Fusion Cost in Los Angeles, CA
- Ultrasound Cost in Los Angeles, CA
- X-Ray Cost in Los Angeles, CA
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
- Knee MRI Cost GuideCompare Knee 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
- X-Ray Cost GuideCompare X-ray pricing across states
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 →