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MRI of the Brain, With and Without Contrast

Washington, DC rates for HCPCS 70553

A detailed imaging exam of the brain using magnetic fields and radio waves rather than radiation, performed both before and after an injection of contrast dye. Comparing the images before and after contrast helps highlight abnormalities such as tumors, infections, or areas of inflammation that might not be visible on plain images alone. It gives more information than either the contrast or non-contrast version done by itself.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does MRI of the Brain, With and Without Contrast cost?

$468

Typical negotiated rate. In Washington, DC, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $468 for this service. Most negotiated rates run $398 to $891.

These are rates insurers have negotiated with providers, not the amount a patient is billed. What you owe depends on your plan's deductible and coinsurance. Based on rates published by 5 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $1,000 · 10th to 90th $398 to $2,754Professionalmedian $447 · 10th to 90th $324 to $1,230
$200$500$1K$2Kfacility $1,000professional $447

Distribution of negotiated rates across all payers (price axis is log-scale). Small sample; interpret with caution. Need provider-level prices or 24+ months of history? Contact us.

Rates by insurance carrier

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$398.11
Median
$954.99
Typical High
$3,162.28
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$371.54
Median
$398.11
Typical High
$891.25
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$112.20
Median
$117.49
Typical High
$275.42
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$263.03
Median
$281.84
Typical High
$645.65
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$323.59
Median
$426.58
Typical High
$1,318.26
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$134.90
Median
$147.91
Typical High
$162.18
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$295.12
Median
$295.12
Typical High
$977.24
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,000.00
Median
$2,454.71
Typical High
$2,754.23
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$309.03
Median
$912.01
Typical High
$1,698.24
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$91.20
Median
$128.82
Typical High
$446.68
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$218.78
Median
$645.65
Typical High
$1,148.15
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$338.84
Median
$363.08
Typical High
$794.33
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$331.13
Median
$616.60
Typical High
$1,230.27
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$70.79
Median
$138.04
Typical High
$380.19
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$245.47
Median
$467.74
Typical High
$851.14
3 more rates with less common billing modifiers

A modifier changes what was billed, for example a reduced or repeated service. Each of these modifiers carries under 10% of the published rates for this code. Modifier combinations, and modifiers with fewer than 30 rates for a carrier, are not listed.

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$186.21
Median
$199.53
Typical High
$213.80
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$74.13
Median
$79.43
Typical High
$85.11
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
FX · Film X-ray
Typical Low
$323.59
Median
$323.59
Typical High
$323.59

Where Washington, DC sits

The same service costs 6.6 times more in Vermont than in Utah. Every bar is a state, most expensive first. Touch or drag across it to read any state, then open that state for its carriers and full range.

Washington, DC· 36th of 51

$468

VT $1,349UT $204

Median negotiated rate in each state, from every insurer that publishes one. States where no insurer publishes a rate for this service are not shown.