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

What does a mri knee cost in North Dakota?

For a commercially insured patient, an mri knee in North Dakota typically runs $687–$1,965 once facility and physician fees are combined. The median reported facility price across 24 hospitals is $1,621. The figures draw on CMS fee schedules and hospital price transparency data published under federal law.

Where mri knee costs vary in North Dakota

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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Sanford Health and CHI St. Alexius divide most of North Dakota's hospital market, with Bismarck and Fargo each effectively dominated by one system. The state's oil-economy wage growth has increased hospital labor costs, pushing prices above what the rural market structure would otherwise suggest. Critical access hospitals cover most of the rural tier. 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

A small number of hospitals (1) report prices above $4,222, including Ashley Medical Center at $2,902, 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 $1,620 versus $1,680 inpatient, 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 North Dakota

How much does an MRI Knee cost in North Dakota?

Across 24 North Dakota hospitals that publish prices, an MRI Knee ranges from $133 to $8,578, with a median of $1,621. Most facilities fall between $309 and $1,807. 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 North Dakota?

Based on declared prices, the lowest-cost facility in our North Dakota data is Sanford Medical Center Bismarck in Bismarck at about $216. By metro, Williston has the lowest median ($248). 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 North Dakota hospitals?

Prices vary up to 64.5× because each hospital sets its own list price, cash discount, and insurer-negotiated rates. In North Dakota, the median cash (self-pay) price is $1,621 versus a median negotiated rate of $736 - about 2.2× 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 an MRI Knee in North Dakota?

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.

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