Knee MRI Cost in Albuquerque, NM (2026): Average Prices & What You'll Pay
What does a knee mri cost in Albuquerque, NM?
The same knee mri in Albuquerque, NM might cost you $265 at one facility and $1,182 at another - the building you walk into drives the difference. The median cash price across 7 reporting hospitals is $550. These figures come straight from hospital price transparency files published under federal law.
Where knee mri costs vary in Albuquerque, NM
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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Hospital MRI costs run 2–5× more than independent imaging centers. Most patients never knew they had a choice.
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Cheapest Knee MRI Providers in Albuquerque, NM
Based on declared cash/self-pay prices from CMS hospital price transparency files.
| # | Facility | City | Price | vs Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Presbyterian Hospital | Albuquerque, NM | $265 | -$285 |
| 2 | Presbyterian Rust Medical Center | Rio Rancho, NM | $265 | -$285 |
| 3 | Presbyterian Kaseman Hospital | Albuquerque, NM | $265 | -$285 |
| 4 | ABQ Hospital, LLC & Albuquerque ER LLC | Nm 87109 & 9310 Coors Blvd. Nw Albuquerque, NM | $550 | +$0 |
| 5 | Lovelace Medical Center | Albuquerque, NM | $1,177 | +$627 |
| 6 | Lovelace Women's Hospital | Albuquerque, NM | $1,200 | +$650 |
| 7 | Lovelace UNM Rehabilition Hospital | Albuquerque, NM | $1,257 | +$707 |
Prices are declared self-pay rates. Contact each facility for a formal quote before scheduling.
Quick take
- Presbyterian Hospital is the lowest-cost option at $265 - $285 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 $1,188, and it's often lower than what insurance pays before your deductible is satisfied.
- Ask whether this procedure can be done at a freestanding ambulatory surgical center - they're typically 30-60% cheaper than a hospital for identical care, and most aren't in this hospital-only dataset.
Presbyterian Healthcare Services and Lovelace Health System cover most of the Albuquerque market, which is New Mexico's primary commercial hub. Significant portions of the state's population are served by Indian Health Service facilities and critical access hospitals with different pricing and billing structures than commercial hospitals. Prices in Albuquerque are generally moderate by Southwest standards. 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 $550 versus $721 inpatient (about 1.3× 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.
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 | ~$550 |
| Deductible met - 20% coinsurance | ~$110 |
| Out-of-network provider | $1,210+ |
Frequently asked questions: knee mri costs in Albuquerque, NM
How much does a knee mri cost in Albuquerque, NM?
Across 7 Albuquerque, NM hospitals that publish prices, a knee mri ranges from $265 to $1,257, with a median of $550. Most facilities fall between $265 and $1,182. 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 Albuquerque, NM?
Based on declared prices, the lowest-cost facility in our Albuquerque, NM data is Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque at about $265. By metro, Albuquerque has the lowest median ($1,177). 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 Albuquerque, NM hospitals?
Prices vary up to 4.7× because each hospital sets its own list price, cash discount, and insurer-negotiated rates. In Albuquerque, NM, the median cash (self-pay) price is $1,188 versus a median negotiated rate of $229 - about 5.2× 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 Albuquerque, NM?
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
- How to read your medical bill
- How to stop medical bill problems before they start
- How to negotiate your medical bills
- Allowed amount vs negotiated rate: what your EOB is really saying
- How to read an EOB line by line
Other procedures in Albuquerque, NM
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).
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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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