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

What does a knee mri cost in Boulder, CO?

The same knee mri in Boulder, CO might cost you $243 at one facility and $246 at another - the building you walk into drives the difference. The median cash price across 2 reporting hospitals is $244. These figures come straight from hospital price transparency files published under federal law.

Where knee mri costs vary in Boulder, CO

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.

UCHealth and CommonSpirit Health (formerly SCL Health) dominate the Front Range market, with Centura Health (now Intermountain) adding competition in the Denver corridor. Denver and Boulder wage indices are among the highest in the Mountain West, pushing Medicare-adjusted rates up relative to rural Colorado. The urban-rural price gap in Colorado is one of the widest in the country. 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.

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Why prices vary - and what it means for your coverage

Facility classification matters as much as the hospital itself - a hospital-owned outpatient center adds a facility fee that a freestanding clinic does not. 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.

Frequently asked questions: knee mri costs in Boulder, CO

How much does a knee mri cost in Boulder, CO?

Across 2 Boulder, CO hospitals that publish prices, a knee mri ranges from $240 to $249, with a median of $244. Most facilities fall between $242 and $246. 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 Boulder, CO?

Based on declared prices, the lowest-cost facility in our Boulder, CO data is GOOD SAMARITAN MEDICAL CENTER, LLC DBA at about $240. 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 Boulder, CO hospitals?

Prices vary up to 1× because each hospital sets its own list price, cash discount, and insurer-negotiated rates. In Boulder, CO, the median cash (self-pay) price is $244 versus a median negotiated rate of $244 - 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 knee mri in Boulder, CO?

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.

CostKits compiles hospital price transparency data to help families make informed decisions. Track and manage your healthcare costs (free account).