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MRI Of The Neck Spine, With And Without Contrast

Washington, DC rates for HCPCS 72156

This is an MRI scan of the spinal canal and its contents in the neck, performed first without contrast dye and then again after contrast dye is given, to provide two sets of detailed images. It is used to evaluate conditions such as tumors, infections, or inflammation affecting the spinal cord or nerves in the neck.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does MRI Of The Neck Spine, With And Without Contrast cost?

$479

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

Insurers have agreed to pay about $479 for this service. Most negotiated rates run $398 to $955.

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 $2,692Professionalmedian $479 · 10th to 90th $355 to $1,318
$500$1K$2Kfacility $1,000professional $479

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
$891.25
Typical High
$2,630.27
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$371.54
Median
$398.11
Typical High
$954.99
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$112.20
Median
$117.49
Typical High
$281.84
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$269.15
Median
$281.84
Typical High
$645.65
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$363.08
Median
$478.63
Typical High
$1,584.89
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$134.90
Median
$147.91
Typical High
$151.36
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$295.12
Median
$323.59
Typical High
$389.05
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
$316.23
Median
$912.01
Typical High
$1,698.24
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$91.20
Median
$138.04
Typical High
$457.09
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
$338.84
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
$251.19
Median
$478.63
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 6.5 times more in Alaska 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

$479

AK $1,318UT $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.