MRI Cost in Albuquerque, NM (2026): Average Prices & What You'll Pay
What does a mri cost in Albuquerque, NM?
The same mri in Albuquerque, NM might cost you $206 at one facility and $850 at another - the building you walk into drives the difference. The median cash price across 9 reporting hospitals is $550. These figures come straight from hospital price transparency files published under federal law.
Where 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 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 Rust Medical Center | Rio Rancho, NM | $127 | -$423 |
| 2 | Presbyterian Hospital | Albuquerque, NM | $127 | -$423 |
| 3 | Presbyterian Kaseman Hospital | Albuquerque, NM | $127 | -$423 |
| 4 | ClearSky Rehabilitation Hospital of Rio Rancho LLC | Rio Rancho, NM | $325 | -$225 |
| 5 | ABQ Hospital, LLC & Albuquerque ER LLC | Nm 87109 & 9310 Coors Blvd. Nw Albuquerque, NM | $550 | +$0 |
| 6 | Kindred Hospital Albuquerque | Albuquerque, NM | $774 | +$224 |
| 7 | Lovelace Women's Hospital | Albuquerque, NM | $900 | +$350 |
| 8 | Lovelace Medical Center | Albuquerque, NM | $974 | +$424 |
Prices are declared self-pay rates. Contact each facility for a formal quote before scheduling.
Quick take
- Presbyterian Rust Medical Center is the lowest-cost option at $127 - $423 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 $550, and it's often lower than what insurance pays before your deductible is satisfied.
- Freestanding ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) are often 30-60% cheaper than hospital outpatient departments for the same procedure and may not appear in this hospital-only dataset - ask your doctor if one is an option.
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. MRI pricing has some of the widest site-of-service spreads in all of imaging - hospital outpatient MRIs often cost 4–8× more than the same scan at a freestanding imaging center. With vs. without contrast and body part scanned are separate CPT codes with meaningfully different prices; confirm exactly what was ordered before scheduling. For non-urgent imaging, independent imaging centers offer the same diagnostic quality at a fraction of hospital prices.
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Why prices vary - and what it means for your coverage
Setting matters too: the median outpatient price is $662 versus $550 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.
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.
| 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: MRI costs in Albuquerque, NM
How much does an MRI cost in Albuquerque, NM?
Across 9 Albuquerque, NM hospitals that publish prices, an MRI ranges from $127 to $1,040, with a median of $550. Most facilities fall between $127 and $850. 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 in Albuquerque, NM?
Based on declared prices, the lowest-cost facility in our Albuquerque, NM data is Presbyterian Rust Medical Center in Rio Rancho at about $127. By metro, Rio Rancho has the lowest median ($226). 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 so much cheaper at some Albuquerque, NM hospitals?
Prices vary up to 8.2× because each hospital sets its own list price, cash discount, and insurer-negotiated rates. In Albuquerque, NM, the median cash (self-pay) price is $550 versus a median negotiated rate of $229 - about 2.4× 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 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
- Deductible vs out-of-pocket max
- How to negotiate your medical bills
- EOB vs medical bill: complete guide
- Already have a bill? Check it for errors
- How to read a Medicare Summary Notice
Other procedures in Albuquerque, NM
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 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 mri changes the billing code, and what you pay. For example: A standard mri with no contrast dye - the most common and lowest-cost version.
This is shoppable
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 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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