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PricedCare

MRI of the neck (cervical spine), no contrast in Des Moines, IA costs $523 to $2,586. Here's every hospital's price.

4 hospitals in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area publish a cash price for mri of the neck (cervical spine), no contrast (CPT 72141). We read their files every month so you don't have to.

Across the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, 4 hospitals list a cash price for mri of the neck (cervical spine), no contrast (CPT 72141). The lowest is $523 at Unitypoint Health - Des Moines Iowa Methodist Medi, the median is $2,118 and the highest is $2,586 at Mercyone Des Moines Medical Center. The most expensive hospital lists 4.9 times the cheapest for the same code.

The Des Moines, IA median of $2,118 is 44% above the national median of $1,475 across 1509 US hospitals with a cash price for this code.

4 of these hospitals also publish the rates they negotiated with insurers, from $174 to $5,492. With insurance you pay a share of the negotiated rate, which is sometimes higher than the cash price; you may ask for the cash price instead.

The files behind these prices are dated between January 2026 and September 2026. 3 other hospitals in the metro area have no readable price for this code: some publish no file, some block automated reading, some leave the code out. They are listed below so you can call them.

$523
lowest cash price in Des Moines, IA
Unitypoint Health - Des Moines Iowa Methodist Medi · 7 mi
$1,595 below the median
$2,118
median cash price
4 hospitals
4.9×
highest ÷ lowest
same procedure, same metro
4/7
hospitals with a cash price
3 don't · see who

Sorted by cash price

Hospital facility fee only
1
Unitypoint Health - Des Moines Iowa Methodist Medi

Des Moines · 7 mi · File Jan 2026

$523
list $654 · lowest of 24 lines
2
Broadlawns Medical Center

Des Moines · 7 mi · File Sep 2026

$2,118
list $2,118
3
Mercyone Newton Medical Center

Newton · 38 mi · File Mar 2026

$2,547
list $3,919
4
Mercyone Des Moines Medical Center

Des Moines · 7 mi · File Mar 2026

$2,586
list $3,978 · lowest of 2 lines
1

What's in the price

The hospital facility fee for CPT 72141. The doctor, anesthesia and lab work usually bill separately.

2

Cash vs. insured

Cash is what you pay without insurance. With insurance you pay a share of the negotiated rate, which can be higher than cash. You may ask for the cash price.

3

What to say on the phone

"I'd like the self-pay price for CPT 72141, in writing, and whether it covers facility, physician and anesthesia."

About mri of the neck (cervical spine), no contrast

CPT 72141 is an MRI of the cervical spine without contrast. It shows the discs, nerve roots and spinal cord in the neck and is ordered for arm numbness, neck pain that does not settle, and suspected disc herniation. Expect 20 to 40 minutes in the scanner.

What the price covers

The hospital's price is the technical fee for the scanner, technologist and room. The radiologist's reading is billed separately. Contrast is not part of this code; if your doctor orders contrast the code and price change.

Why prices vary

Spine MRIs are among the most-shopped imaging tests because they are elective and common. Hospital prices spread widely within a metro area; hospital-owned outpatient imaging centers and freestanding centers are usually the low end. Cash prices at hospitals are frequently below the rates they negotiate with insurers.

Questions to ask

  • What is the self-pay price for 72141, scan only?
  • What is the radiologist's fee?
  • Is there a lower price at one of your outpatient imaging sites?

Hospitals in Des Moines, IA without a price for this procedure

Listed so you know who to call. The reason is what we found on their website.

Questions people ask