MRI Cost in Tennessee Without Insurance (2025)
Tennessee is the home state of HCA Healthcare, the nation's largest for-profit hospital company. HCA's Tennessee hospitals publish extensive price data, giving self-pay patients in Nashville and beyond unprecedented visibility into MRI prices. Independent imaging centers throughout the state offer lower rates for cash-pay patients.
What does an MRI cost in Tennessee?
Cash pay MRI prices in Tennessee:
• Knee MRI (CPT 73721): $250 – $2,500 • Lower Back MRI (CPT 72148): $300 – $3,000 • Brain MRI with contrast (CPT 70553): $400 – $4,000
HCA TriStar Health (Nashville area), Vanderbilt Health, and Ballad Health (Northeast Tennessee) all publish cash prices. Independent imaging centers in suburban Nashville and Knoxville offer the most competitive rates.
Nashville MRI prices
Nashville's healthcare market is anchored by Vanderbilt University Medical Center (top academic system) and HCA TriStar Health (largest hospital chain in the country, headquartered here). Both publish detailed price files.
For self-pay patients, independent imaging centers in Franklin, Brentwood, Murfreesboro, and Hendersonville typically offer MRIs at $300–$700 — well below hospital outpatient rates.
Memphis, Knoxville, and Chattanooga
Memphis is served by Methodist Le Bonheur, Baptist Memorial Health, and Regional One Health. Knoxville's major systems are Covenant Health and Tennova Healthcare. Chattanooga has Erlanger Health System and CHI Memorial.
All these systems publish cash prices. Independent imaging centers in each market offer competitive alternatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an MRI cost in Nashville without insurance?
MRI cash prices in Nashville range from $250 at independent imaging centers in suburbs like Franklin and Brentwood to $2,500+ at Vanderbilt and HCA TriStar hospital outpatient departments.
Does HCA Healthcare publish Tennessee cash prices?
Yes — HCA is required to publish standard charge files for all their Tennessee hospitals. Their pricing data is among the most extensive published by any US hospital company.
See actual cash pay prices from providers nationwide for Knee MRI.
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