MRI Cost in Madison, WI (2026): Average Prices & What You'll Pay

What does a mri cost in Madison, WI?

The same mri in Madison, WI might cost you $205 at one facility and $350 at another - the building you walk into drives the difference. The median cash price across 6 reporting hospitals is $281. These figures come straight from hospital price transparency files published under federal law.

Where mri costs vary in Madison, WI

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.

Advocate Aurora Health (formed in the Illinois-Wisconsin merger) and Ascension Wisconsin are the dominant systems in the Milwaukee market, while UW Health anchors the Madison market. Wisconsin's hospital market is moderately competitive in major metros but increasingly concentrated in rural areas. Prices tend to run near or slightly below the Midwest median. 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 $218 versus $507 inpatient (about 2.3× 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.

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: MRI costs in Madison, WI

How much does an MRI cost in Madison, WI?

Across 6 Madison, WI hospitals that publish prices, an MRI ranges from $173 to $507, with a median of $281. Most facilities fall between $198 and $350. 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 Madison, WI?

Based on declared prices, the lowest-cost facility in our Madison, WI data is Ssm Health St. Mary's Hospital - Madison in Madison at about $173. By metro, Madison has the lowest median ($258). 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 Madison, WI hospitals?

Prices vary up to 2.9× because each hospital sets its own list price, cash discount, and insurer-negotiated rates. In Madison, WI, the median cash (self-pay) price is $281 versus a median negotiated rate of $203 - about 1.4× 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 Madison, WI?

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).