MRI of the knee or other lower joint, no contrast in San Diego, CA costs $305 to $3,247. 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 knee or other lower joint, no contrast (CPT 73721). 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 knee or other lower joint, no contrast (CPT 73721). The lowest is $305 at Paradise Valley Hospital, the median is $3,247 and the highest is $3,247 at Sharp Coronado Hospital and Hlthcr Ctr. The most expensive hospital lists 11 times the cheapest for the same code.
The San Diego, CA median of $3,247 is 131% above the national median of $1,409 across 490 US hospitals with a cash price for this code.
4 of these hospitals also publish the rates they negotiated with insurers, from $1 to $31,171. 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 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 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