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MRI of a Leg Joint, Without Contrast

South 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?

$251

Typical negotiated rate. In South Carolina, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $251 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $245 from a physician practice, and about $1,175 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$245$191 to $457
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$1,175$741 to $1,820

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $1,175 · 10th to 90th $302 to $2,291Professionalmedian $245 · 10th to 90th $126 to $575
$50$100$200$500$1K$2K$5Kfacility $1,175professional $245

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
None
Typical Low
$245.47
Median
$309.03
Typical High
$3,311.31
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$245.47
Median
$245.47
Typical High
$549.54
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$72.44
Median
$79.43
Typical High
$151.36
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$169.82
Median
$169.82
Typical High
$398.11
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$190.55
Median
$199.53
Typical High
$354.81
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$48.98
Median
$67.61
Typical High
$112.20
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$181.97
Median
$204.17
Typical High
$234.42
BCBS South Carolina
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$645.65
Median
$1,318.26
Typical High
$2,290.87
BCBS South Carolina
Setting
Facility
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$616.60
Median
$616.60
Typical High
$616.60
BCBS South Carolina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$190.55
Median
$457.09
Typical High
$660.69
BCBS South Carolina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$61.66
Median
$141.25
Typical High
$181.97
BCBS South Carolina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$131.83
Median
$323.59
Typical High
$478.63
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$549.54
Median
$870.96
Typical High
$1,412.54
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$257.04
Median
$489.78
Typical High
$707.95
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$61.66
Median
$75.86
Typical High
$147.91
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$169.82
Median
$426.58
Typical High
$549.54
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$776.25
Median
$776.25
Typical High
$776.25
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$245.47
Median
$354.81
Typical High
$812.83
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$239.88
Median
$758.58
Typical High
$891.25
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$95.50
Median
$112.20
Typical High
$269.15
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$234.42
Median
$478.63
Typical High
$524.81
Molina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$51.29
Median
$199.53
Typical High
$338.84
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,000.00
Median
$1,202.26
Typical High
$1,584.89
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$213.80
Median
$389.05
Typical High
$758.58
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$61.66
Median
$77.62
Typical High
$138.04
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$147.91
Median
$263.03
Typical High
$660.69
9 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
$104.71
Median
$123.03
Typical High
$186.21
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$41.69
Median
$48.98
Typical High
$74.13
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
FX · Film X-ray
Typical Low
$199.53
Median
$199.53
Typical High
$281.84
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
50 · Both sides
Typical Low
$446.68
Median
$1,148.15
Typical High
$1,318.26
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
51 · Multiple procedures
Typical Low
$147.91
Median
$380.19
Typical High
$436.52
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
80 · Assistant surgeon
Typical Low
$58.88
Median
$151.36
Typical High
$177.83
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
81 · Minimal assistant surgeon
Typical Low
$41.69
Median
$107.15
Typical High
$123.03
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
82 · Assistant surgeon, no resident
Typical Low
$41.69
Median
$107.15
Typical High
$123.03
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
AS · PA/NP assist
Typical Low
$41.69
Median
$107.15
Typical High
$123.03

Where South 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.

South Carolina· 44th of 51

$251

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.