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

What does a mri knee cost in Colorado?

A typical mri knee in Colorado costs $325–$1,722 for a commercially insured patient, including facility and physician fees. The median reported facility price across 46 hospitals is $1,140. This estimate is based on CMS fee schedules and hospital price transparency data published under federal law.

Where mri knee costs vary in Colorado

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.

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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

Setting matters too: the median outpatient price is $612 versus $1,373 inpatient (about 2.2× 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.

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.

Frequently asked questions: MRI Knee costs in Colorado

How much does an MRI Knee cost in Colorado?

Across 46 Colorado hospitals that publish prices, an MRI Knee ranges from $103 to $13,089, with a median of $1,140. Most facilities fall between $246 and $1,564. 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 Colorado?

Based on declared prices, the lowest-cost facility in our Colorado data is Craig Hospital in Englewood at about $203. By metro, Estes Park has the lowest median ($215). 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 Colorado hospitals?

Prices vary up to 127.1× because each hospital sets its own list price, cash discount, and insurer-negotiated rates. In Colorado, the median cash (self-pay) price is $1,140 versus a median negotiated rate of $246 - about 4.6× 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 Knee in Colorado?

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).