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MRA Of The Spine

North Carolina rates for HCPCS 72159

A magnetic resonance study that maps the blood vessels supplying the spinal canal and the spinal cord inside it. It uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves rather than X-rays. It is used to look for an abnormal tangle of vessels, an interrupted blood supply, or the vessels feeding a growth near the cord.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does MRA Of The Spine cost?

$589

Typical negotiated rate. In North Carolina, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $589 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $589 from a physician practice, and about $1,023 from a hospital or other facility.

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 6 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$589$389 to $851
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$1,023$355 to $1,585

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $1,023 · 10th to 90th $355 to $2,042Professionalmedian $589 · 10th to 90th $339 to $1,000
$100$200$500$1K$2Kfacility $1,023professional $589

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
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$85.11
Median
$85.11
Typical High
$120.23
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$269.15
Median
$269.15
Typical High
$338.84
BCBS North Carolina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$144.54
Median
$199.53
Typical High
$269.15
BCBS North Carolina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$691.83
Median
$1,000.00
Typical High
$1,380.38
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$85.11
Median
$117.49
Typical High
$245.47
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$354.81
Median
$489.78
Typical High
$851.14
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$107.15
Median
$128.82
Typical High
$239.88
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$346.74
Median
$758.58
Typical High
$794.33
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$81.28
Median
$107.15
Typical High
$218.78
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$288.40
Median
$457.09
Typical High
$794.33
18 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
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$354.81
Median
$354.81
Typical High
$1,905.46
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$354.81
Median
$354.81
Typical High
$588.84
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$177.83
Median
$177.83
Typical High
$218.78
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$70.79
Median
$70.79
Typical High
$87.10
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
FX · Film X-ray
Typical Low
$281.84
Median
$281.84
Typical High
$323.59
BCBS North Carolina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$234.42
Median
$234.42
Typical High
$234.42
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,023.29
Median
$1,584.89
Typical High
$2,137.96
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$467.74
Median
$616.60
Typical High
$1,096.48
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$891.25
Median
$891.25
Typical High
$891.25
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$316.23
Median
$354.81
Typical High
$380.19
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$446.68
Median
$891.25
Typical High
$977.24
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
51 · Multiple procedures
Typical Low
$323.59
Median
$446.68
Typical High
$549.54
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
80 · Assistant surgeon
Typical Low
$128.82
Median
$177.83
Typical High
$218.78
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
81 · Minimal assistant surgeon
Typical Low
$91.20
Median
$123.03
Typical High
$151.36
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
82 · Assistant surgeon, no resident
Typical Low
$91.20
Median
$123.03
Typical High
$151.36
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
AS · PA/NP assist
Typical Low
$91.20
Median
$123.03
Typical High
$151.36
Oscar Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$87.10
Median
$281.84
Typical High
$616.60
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$380.19
Median
$562.34
Typical High
$1,000.00

Where North Carolina sits

The same service costs 5.4 times more in Wyoming 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.

North Carolina· 19th of 51

$589

WY $1,380TX $257

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.