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Reviewed by John Caruso, FSA, MAAA • Data last updated

MRI Knee Cost in California (2026): Average Prices & What You'll Pay

What does a mri knee cost in California?

A typical mri knee in California costs $411–$1,102 for a commercially insured patient, including facility and physician fees. The median reported facility price across 116 hospitals is $809. This estimate is based on CMS fee schedules and hospital price transparency data published under federal law.

Where mri knee costs vary in California

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) Imaging Center 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.

Your personalized cost report includes:

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  • ✓ 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
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  • ✓ A real patient billing breakdown, line by line

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Cheapest MRI Knee Providers in California

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

# Facility City Price vs Median
1 Sherman Oaks Hospital CA $305 -$504
2 Desert Valley Hospital CA $305 -$504
3 St Francis Medical Center CA $305 -$504
4 Chino Valley Medical Center CA $305 -$504
5 San Dimas Community Hospital CA $305 -$504
6 Montclair Hospital Medical Center CA $305 -$504
7 Encino Hospital Medical Center CA $305 -$504
8 Centinela Hospital Medical Center CA $305 -$504

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

Quick take

  • Sherman Oaks Hospital is the lowest-cost option at $305 - $504 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 $809, 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.

How where you go changes what you pay for mri knee

The same mri knee 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
$414–$7,814
  • Facility fee $103–$6,250
  • Professional fee $311–$1,564

Estimated from CMS fee schedules + commercial rate multipliers

Hospital Inpatient
$537–$7,814
  • Facility fee $226–$6,250
  • Professional fee $311–$1,564

Estimated from CMS fee schedules + commercial rate multipliers

Independent Imaging Center
$404–$908
  • technical_component $292–$608
  • professional_interpretation $112–$300

Estimated from CMS fee schedules + commercial rate multipliers

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 (18) report prices above $2,650, including WATSONVILLE COMMUNITY HOSPITAL at $6,250, 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 $587 versus $859 inpatient (about 1.5× 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.

None of the prices above are what you'll necessarily owe: your deductible, out-of-pocket maximum, and each provider's network status all still apply.

Your situation Estimated out-of-pocket
Deductible not yet met ~$922
Deductible met - 20% coinsurance ~$184
Out-of-network provider $2,028+

Frequently asked questions: MRI Knee costs in California

How much does an MRI Knee cost in California?

Across 116 California hospitals that publish prices, an MRI Knee ranges from $103 to $14,605, with a median of $809. Most facilities fall between $310 and $944. 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 Knee in California?

Based on declared prices, the lowest-cost facility in our California data is University of California Davis Medical Center in Sacramento at about $103. By metro, Orange has the lowest median ($306). 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 Knee so much cheaper at some California hospitals?

Prices vary up to 141.8× because each hospital sets its own list price, cash discount, and insurer-negotiated rates. In California, the median cash (self-pay) price is $809 versus a median negotiated rate of $305 - about 2.7× 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 Knee in California?

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 California

MRI Knee, elsewhere

Other California Hospitals for MRI Knee

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

Provider City Type Est. Cost
1125 SIR FRANCIS DRAKE BOULEVARD OPERATING COMPANY, LLC
4154569680 		KENTFIELD, CA Long Term Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
1125 SIR FRANCIS DRAKE BOULEVARD OPERATING COMPANY, LLC
4154569680 		SAN FRANCISCO, CA Long Term Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
1422 CAMINITO SEPTIMO
8589006443 		CARDIFF BY THE SEA, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
1ST ASSIST OF RIVERSIDE MEDICAL CORPORATION, INC.
9097201130 		RIVERSIDE, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
452 ASTS
9515536962 		SAN JACINTO, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
531 W. COLLEGE, LLC
6262299828 		LOS ANGELES, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
752 MDS
6268517250 		BALDWIN PARK, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
A.WHITEBREAD RNFA
2098726316 		MODESTO, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
AARON I JENG MD INC
6267861343 		ARCADIA, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ADAM RAJOULH MD INC
3134210602 		CLOVIS, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ADVENTIST HEALTH CLEARLAKE HOSPITAL INC.
7079946486 		CLEARLAKE, CA Critical Access Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ADVENTIST HEALTH CLEARLAKE HOSPITAL INC.
7079946486 		CLEARLAKE, CA Critical Access Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
▼ Show 88 more California hospitals (of 1,999 registered)
ADVENTIST HEALTH DELANO
6617215302 		DELANO, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ADVENTIST HEALTH DELANO
6617215375 		DELANO, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ADVENTIST HEALTH DELANO
6617254800 		DELANO, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ADVENTIST HEALTH DELANO
6617254800 		DELANO, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ADVENTIST HEALTH DELANO
6617215388 		DELANO, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ADVENTIST HEALTH DELANO
6617215375 		DELANO, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ADVENTIST HEALTH MEDICAL CENTER TEHACHAPI
6618231622 		CALIFORNIA CITY, CA Critical Access Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ADVENTIST HEALTH MEDICAL CENTER TEHACHAPI
6617718600 		TEHACHAPI, CA Critical Access Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ADVENTIST HEALTH MEDICAL CENTER TEHACHAPI
6618231622 		TEHACHAPI, CA Critical Access Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ADVENTIST HEALTH MEDICAL CENTER TEHACHAPI
6617718600 		TEHACHAPI, CA Critical Access Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ADVENTIST HEALTH MEDICAL CENTER TEHACHAPI
6618231622 		MOJAVE, CA Critical Access Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ADVENTIST HEALTH MENDOCINO COAST
7079611234 		FORT BRAGG, CA Critical Access Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ADVENTIST HEALTH TULARE
5596880821 		TULARE, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ADVENTIST HEALTH TULARE
5596880821 		TULARE, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ADVENTIST HEALTH TULARE
5596880821 		TULARE, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ADVENTIST HEALTH-AVENAL
5593864282 		AVENAL, CA Rural Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ADVENTIST MEDICAL CENTER, REEDLEY
5596388155 		REEDLEY, CA Rural Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
AG INFECTIOUS DISEASES, A MEDICAL CORPORATION
4242566682 		LOS ANGELES, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
AHMC ANAHEIM REGIONAL MEDICAL
7147741450 		ANAHEIM, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
AHMC GARFIELD MEDICAL CENTER LP
6265732222 		MONTEREY PARK, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
AHMC GREATER EL MONTE COMMUNITY
6265797777 		SOUTH EL MONTE, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
AHMC MONTEREY PARK HOSPITAL LP
6265709000 		MONTEREY PARK, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
AHMC SAN GABRIEL VALLEY MEDICAL
6262895454 		SAN GABRIEL, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
AHMC SETON MEDICAL CENTER LLC
6509924000 		DALY CITY, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
AHMC SETON MEDICAL CENTER LLC
6509924000 		DALY CITY, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
AHMC SETON MEDICAL CENTER LLC
6509924000 		DALY CITY, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
AHMC SETON MEDICAL CENTER LLC
6509924400 		DALY CITY, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
AHMC WHITTIER HOSPITAL MEDICAL
6264577938 		ALHAMBRA, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
AHMC WHITTIER HOSPITAL MEDICAL
5629453561 		WHITTIER, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ALAKOR HEALTHCARE LLC
6264089800 		MONROVIA, CA Long Term Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ALAMEDA COUNTY MEDICLA CENTER
5104374323 		OAKLAND, CA Critical Access Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ALAMEDA HEALTH SYSTEM
5104374800 		OAKLAND, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ALAMEDA HEALTH SYSTEM
5104374800 		OAKLAND, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ALAMEDA HEALTH SYSTEM
5103576500 		SAN LEANDRO, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ALAMEDA HEALTH SYSTEM
5105223700 		ALAMEDA, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ALAMEDA HEALTH SYSTEM
5104377720 		SAN LEANDRO, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ALAMEDA HEALTH SYSTEM
5104374800 		OAKLAND, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ALAMEDA HEALTH SYSTEM
8008781313 		SAN LEANDRO, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ALAMEDA HEALTH SYSTEM
5104374800 		OAKLAND, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ALEX DENES, MD, FACP, A PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION
9519256969 		CANYON LAKE, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ALHAMBRA HOSPITAL MEDICAL CENTER, LP
6264577938 		ALHAMBRA, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ALHAMBRA HOSPITAL MEDICAL CENTER, LP
6264577938 		ALHAMBRA, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ALHAMBRA HOSPITAL MEDICAL CENTER, LP
6264577938 		ALHAMBRA, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ALHAMBRA HOSPITAL MEDICAL CENTER, LP
6264577938 		ALHAMBRA, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ALHAMBRA HOSPITAL MEDICAL CENTER, LP
6264577938 		ALHAMBRA, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ALHAMBRA HOSPITAL MEDICAL CENTER, LP
6264577938 		ALHAMBRA, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ALHAMBRA HOSPITAL MEDICAL CENTER, LP
6264577938 		ALHAMBRA, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ALLIED EMERGENCY PHYSICIANS
8186021999 		CALABASAS, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ALTA BATES SUMMIT MEDICAL CENTER
5106554000 		OAKLAND, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ALTA BATES SUMMIT MEDICAL CENTER
5108698244 		BERKELEY, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ALTA BATES SUMMIT MEDICAL CENTER
5108698244 		OAKLAND, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ALTA BATES SUMMIT MEDICAL CENTER
5108699244 		OAKLAND, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ALTA NEWPORT HOSPITAL, LLC
7146197700 		TUSTIN, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
AMERICAN HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT
7078223621 		ARCATA, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
AMERICAN HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT CORPORATION
7078223621 		ARCATA, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
AMI/HTI TARZANA ENCINO JOINT VENTURE
8188810800 		ENCINO, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
AMI/HTI TARZANA ENCINO JOINT VENTURE
8188810800 		TARZANA, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
AMISUB IRVINE MEDICAL CENTER), INC.
9497532000 		IRVINE, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ANAHEIM COMMUNITY HOSPITAL, LLC
2489055091 		ANAHEIM, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ANAHEIM GENERAL HOSPITAL
7149475800 		ANAHEIM, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ANAHEIM GENERAL HOSPITAL
7148276700 		ANAHEIM, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ANAHEIM GLOBAL MEDICAL CENTER, INC
7145336220 		ANAHEIM, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ANAHEIM MEMORIAL MEDICAL CENTER
7147741450 		ANAHEIM, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ANAHIEM MEMORIAL MEDICAL CENTER
7149993800 		ANAHEIM, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ANBERRY PHYSICAL REHABILITATION CENTER, INC
2093573420 		ATWATER, CA Long Term Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ANBERRY PHYSICAL REHABILITATION CENTER, INC
2093573420 		ATWATER, CA Long Term Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ANBERRY PHYSICAL REHABILITATION CENTER, INC.
2093573420 		ATWATER, CA Long Term Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ANBERRY PHYSICAL REHABILITATION CENTER, INC.
2093573420 		ATWATER, CA Long Term Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ANDREW S. IRANIHA INC
9496468444 		NEWPORT BEACH, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ANESTHESIA IAG SERVICES LTD
7602412179 		VICTORVILLE, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ANITHA R GARLAPATI MD INC
6194252737 		LA MESA, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ANTELOPE VALLEY HEALTH CARE DISTRICT
6619495000 		LANCASTER, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ANTELOPE VALLEY HOSPITAL
6619495366 		LANCASTER, CA Women's Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ANTELOPE VALLEY HOSPITAL INC
6619495000 		LANCASTER, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ARAMARK
5594503360 		FRESNO, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ARLINGTON INPATIENT TREATMENT FACILITY PHARMACY
9513584746 		RIVERSIDE, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ARMC
9095801800 		COLTON, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ARROWHEAD REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
9092670910 		COLTON, CA Critical Access Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ARROWHEAD REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
9095801000 		COLTON, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ARROWHEAD REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
9095801000 		COLTON, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ARROWHEAD REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
9095801000 		COLTON, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ARROWHEAD REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
9095801800 		COLTON, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ARROWHEAD REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
9095801000 		COLTON, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ARROWHEAD REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
9095801000 		COLTON, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ARROWHEAD REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
9095801000 		COLTON, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ARROWHEAD REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
9095801000 		COLTON, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ARROWHEAD REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
9095801000 		COLTON, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 bundled est.
ARROWHEAD REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
9095801000 		COLTON, CA General Acute Care Hospital $414–$7,814 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.

What matters before you schedule

ASC vs. hospital

Hospital outpatient departments typically charge 2-4x more than ASCs or independent centers for the same mri knee - 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 mri knee changes the billing code, and what you pay. For example: A standard mri knee with no contrast dye - the most common and lowest-cost version.

This is shoppable

MRI Knee 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 mri knee 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 California

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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 July 17, 2026

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