MRI of the neck (cervical spine), no contrast in San Diego, CA costs $305 to $4,150. Here's every hospital's price.
4 hospitals in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA 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 San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area, 4 hospitals list a cash price for mri of the neck (cervical spine), no contrast (CPT 72141). The lowest is $305 at Paradise Valley Hospital, the median is $4,150 and the highest is $4,150 at Sharp Coronado Hospital and Hlthcr Ctr. The most expensive hospital lists 14 times the cheapest for the same code.
The San Diego, CA median of $4,150 is 184% above the national median of $1,460 across 555 US hospitals with a cash price for this code.
4 of these hospitals also publish the rates they negotiated with insurers, from $1 to $34,114. 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 April 2026 and September 2026. 12 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.
Sorted by cash price
Hospital facility fee onlyNational City · 29 mi · File Sep 2026
La Mesa · 22 mi · File Apr 2026
Chula Vista · 31 mi · File Apr 2026
Coronado · 32 mi · File Apr 2026
What's in the price
The hospital facility fee for CPT 72141. The doctor, anesthesia and lab work usually bill separately.
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.
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 San Diego, CA without a price for this procedure
Listed so you know who to call. The reason is what we found on their website.
- Kaiser Foundation Hospital - San DiegoNo price file found
- Kaiser Foundation Hospital - San MarcosNo website on record
- Palomar Health Downtown CampusWebsite blocks automated reading
- Palomar Medical Center PowayWebsite blocks automated reading
- Rady Children's Hospital - San DiegoFile in an unsupported format
- Scripps Green HospitalFile found, not read yet
- Scripps Memorial Hospital - EncinitasFile found, not read yet
- Scripps Memorial Hospital La JollaFile found, not read yet
- Scripps Mercy HospitalFile found, not read yet
- Sharp Memorial HospitalFile found, not read yet
- Tri-City Medical Centercode not in file
- UC San Diego Health Hillcrest - Hillcrest Med CtrNo price file found