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

What does a knee mri cost in Raleigh, NC?

The same knee mri in Raleigh, NC might cost you $219 at one facility and $219 at another - the building you walk into drives the difference. The median cash price across 2 reporting hospitals is $219. These figures come straight from hospital price transparency files published under federal law.

Where knee mri costs vary in Raleigh, NC

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.

Atrium Health (formerly Carolinas HealthCare) and Wake Forest Baptist Health have merged into one of the largest nonprofit health systems in the Southeast. Duke Health and UNC Health anchor the Research Triangle academic tier, creating a market where major academic centers hold outsized pricing leverage. North Carolina has been an active target for FTC scrutiny of hospital consolidation. 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 Raleigh, NC

How much does a knee mri cost in Raleigh, NC?

Across 2 Raleigh, NC hospitals that publish prices, a knee mri ranges from $219 to $219, with a median of $219. Most facilities fall between $219 and $219. 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 Raleigh, NC?

Based on declared prices, the lowest-cost facility in our Raleigh, NC data is WakeMed Cary Hospital in Cary at about $219. 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 Raleigh, NC hospitals?

Prices vary up to 1× because each hospital sets its own list price, cash discount, and insurer-negotiated rates. In Raleigh, NC, the median cash (self-pay) price is $219 versus a median negotiated rate of $219 - 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 Raleigh, NC?

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).