MRI of the knee or other lower joint, no contrast in Madison, WI costs $574 to $2,620. Here's every hospital's price.
4 hospitals in the Madison, WI metro area publish a cash price for mri of the knee or other lower joint, no contrast (CPT 73721). We read their files every month so you don't have to.
Across the Madison, WI metro area, 4 hospitals list a cash price for mri of the knee or other lower joint, no contrast (CPT 73721). The lowest is $574 at Aspirus Divine Savior Hospital, the median is $2,067 and the highest is $2,620 at University of Wi Hospitals & Clinics Authority. The most expensive hospital lists 4.6 times the cheapest for the same code.
The Madison, WI median of $2,067 is 37% above the national median of $1,505 across 1164 US hospitals with a cash price for this code.
4 of these hospitals also publish the rates they negotiated with insurers, from $54 to $7,005. 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 April 2026. 4 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 onlyPortage · 34 mi · File Apr 2026
Madison · 10 mi · File Jan 2026
Madison · 10 mi · File Apr 2026
Madison · 9 mi · File Apr 2026
What's in the price
The hospital facility fee for CPT 73721. 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 73721, in writing, and whether it covers facility, physician and anesthesia."
About mri of the knee or other lower joint, no contrast
CPT 73721 is an MRI of a joint in the lower limb, most often the knee, without contrast. It shows ligaments, meniscus and cartilage and is the standard test after a twisting injury or for persistent joint pain. It takes 20 to 40 minutes.
What the price covers
The hospital's price is the technical fee: scanner, technologist and room. The radiologist's reading is billed separately. The same code covers hip and ankle MRIs, so the price applies to those too.
Why prices vary
Knee MRIs are heavily shopped because they are common, elective and easy to compare. Within one metro area hospital prices commonly span four to eight times. Hospital-owned outpatient imaging centers and freestanding centers are the low end; teaching hospitals the high end. Orthopedic practices often have arrangements with a specific imaging center; you can still choose another.
Questions to ask
- What is the self-pay price for 73721, scan only?
- What is the radiologist's fee, and can my orthopedist read it instead?
- Is the scanner strength (1.5T or 3T) the same at your cheaper location?
Hospitals in Madison, WI without a price for this procedure
Listed so you know who to call. The reason is what we found on their website.
- Columbus Community HospitalNo website on record
- Stoughton HospitalNo website on record
- The Monroe ClinicFile found, not read yet
- Upland Hills HealthNo website on record