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MRI of the Brain, With and Without Contrast

South Carolina 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 July 2026.

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

$525

Typical negotiated rate. In South Carolina, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $525 for this service. Most negotiated rates run $389 to $851.

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 7 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

How much rates vary

Professionalmedian $525 · 10th to 90th $324 to $1,698
$100$200$500$1K$2Kprofessional $525

Distribution of negotiated rates across all payers (price axis is log-scale). Each curve is scaled to its own total: facility and professional rates are different services, shown together to compare where they cluster. Need provider-level prices or 24+ months of history? Contact us.

Rates by insurance carrier

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$131.83
Median
$131.83
Typical High
$165.96
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$323.59
Median
$512.86
Typical High
$1,698.24
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$97.72
Median
$154.88
Typical High
$741.31
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$162.18
Median
$194.98
Typical High
$263.03
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$218.78
Median
$302.00
Typical High
$645.65
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$239.88
Median
$338.84
Typical High
$616.60
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$81.28
Median
$112.20
Typical High
$186.21
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$194.98
Median
$263.03
Typical High
$354.81
BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$316.23
Median
$660.69
Typical High
$1,174.90
BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$107.15
Median
$208.93
Typical High
$331.13
BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$204.17
Median
$446.68
Typical High
$812.83
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$389.05
Median
$776.25
Typical High
$1,513.56
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$112.20
Median
$151.36
Typical High
$275.42
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$257.04
Median
$549.54
Typical High
$1,288.25
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1,071.52
Median
$1,071.52
Typical High
$1,071.52
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$223.87
Median
$223.87
Typical High
$223.87
Molina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$32.36
Median
$32.36
Typical High
$33.11
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$338.84
Median
$691.83
Typical High
$1,479.11
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$104.71
Median
$134.90
Typical High
$239.88
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$229.09
Median
$478.63
Typical High
$1,230.27

Where South Carolina sits

The same service costs 2.4 times more in Wisconsin than in Texas. 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.

South Carolina· 19th of 51

$525

WI $851TX $355

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.