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MRI of a Leg Joint, Without Contrast

North Carolina rates for HCPCS 73721

A detailed imaging exam of a joint in the leg, such as the knee, ankle, or hip, using magnetic fields and radio waves rather than radiation, performed without contrast dye. It gives a clear view of ligaments, tendons, cartilage, and other soft tissue around the joint that an X-ray cannot show. It's commonly used to evaluate joint pain, suspected tears, or other soft-tissue injuries.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does MRI of a Leg Joint, Without Contrast cost?

$447

Typical negotiated rate. In North Carolina, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $447 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $447 from a physician practice, and about $427 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 7 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$447$234 to $589
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$427$204 to $912

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $427 · 10th to 90th $204 to $1,778Professionalmedian $447 · 10th to 90th $204 to $724
$100$200$500$1K$2Kfacility $427professional $447

Distribution of negotiated rates across all payers (price axis is log-scale). 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
$64.57
Median
$67.61
Typical High
$112.20
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$141.25
Median
$169.82
Typical High
$524.81
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$64.57
Median
$77.62
Typical High
$158.49
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$141.25
Median
$177.83
Typical High
$436.52
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$61.66
Median
$85.11
Typical High
$123.03
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$104.71
Median
$169.82
Typical High
$269.15
BCBS North Carolina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$107.15
Median
$151.36
Typical High
$204.17
BCBS North Carolina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$398.11
Median
$602.56
Typical High
$912.01
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$63.10
Median
$87.10
Typical High
$186.21
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$190.55
Median
$436.52
Typical High
$660.69
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$81.28
Median
$128.82
Typical High
$229.09
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$181.97
Median
$489.78
Typical High
$616.60
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$63.10
Median
$81.28
Typical High
$169.82
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$151.36
Median
$275.42
Typical High
$562.34
22 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
$204.17
Median
$263.03
Typical High
$1,445.44
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$204.17
Median
$269.15
Typical High
$630.96
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$102.33
Median
$102.33
Typical High
$213.80
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$41.69
Median
$41.69
Typical High
$85.11
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
FX · Film X-ray
Typical Low
$165.96
Median
$165.96
Typical High
$302.00
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$154.88
Median
$208.93
Typical High
$512.86
BCBS North Carolina
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,096.48
Median
$1,412.54
Typical High
$1,778.28
BCBS North Carolina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$165.96
Median
$165.96
Typical High
$165.96
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$549.54
Median
$870.96
Typical High
$1,862.09
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$275.42
Median
$512.86
Typical High
$831.76
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$758.58
Median
$758.58
Typical High
$758.58
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$186.21
Median
$204.17
Typical High
$229.09
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$263.03
Median
$588.84
Typical High
$794.33
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
50 · Both sides
Typical Low
$575.44
Median
$933.25
Typical High
$1,174.90
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
51 · Multiple procedures
Typical Low
$190.55
Median
$316.23
Typical High
$398.11
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
80 · Assistant surgeon
Typical Low
$75.86
Median
$125.89
Typical High
$158.49
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
81 · Minimal assistant surgeon
Typical Low
$53.70
Median
$87.10
Typical High
$109.65
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
82 · Assistant surgeon, no resident
Typical Low
$53.70
Median
$87.10
Typical High
$109.65
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
AS · PA/NP assist
Typical Low
$53.70
Median
$87.10
Typical High
$109.65
Oscar Health
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$912.01
Median
$912.01
Typical High
$912.01
Oscar Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$67.61
Median
$190.55
Typical High
$371.54
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$218.78
Median
$398.11
Typical High
$660.69

Where North Carolina sits

The same service costs 13.5 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.

North Carolina· 15th of 51

$447

VT $2,089UT $155

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.