MRI of the knee or other lower joint, no contrast in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV costs $493 to $1,909. Here's every hospital's price.
13 hospitals in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area, 13 hospitals list a cash price for mri of the knee or other lower joint, no contrast (CPT 73721). The lowest is $493 at Medstar Southern Maryland Hospital Center, the median is $838 and the highest is $1,909 at Medstar Georgetown University Hospital. The most expensive hospital lists 3.9 times the cheapest for the same code.
The Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV median of $838 is 41% below the national median of $1,409 across 481 US hospitals with a cash price for this code.
13 of these hospitals also publish the rates they negotiated with insurers, from $146 to $3,094. 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 July 2026. 22 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 onlyClinton · 34 mi · File Apr 2026
Alexandria · 21 mi · File Apr 2026
Leesburg · 17 mi · File Apr 2026
Falls Church · 15 mi · File Apr 2026
Fairfax · 7 mi · File Apr 2026
Alexandria · 23 mi · File Apr 2026
Manassas · 4 mi · File Mar 2026
Haymarket · 8 mi · File Mar 2026
Lanham · 35 mi · File Jan 2026
Culpeper · 38 mi · File Mar 2026
Washington · 27 mi · File Apr 2026
Olney · 33 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 Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV without a price for this procedure
Listed so you know who to call. The reason is what we found on their website.
- Adventist Healthcare Fort Washington Medical CtrWebsite blocks automated reading
- Adventist Healthcare Shady Grove Medical CenterWebsite blocks automated reading
- Adventist Healthcare White Oak Medical CenterWebsite blocks automated reading
- Children's National HospitalNo price file found
- Frederick Health HospitalWebsite blocks automated reading
- George Washington Univ HospitalWebsite blocks automated reading
- Holy Cross Germantown HospitalNo price file found
- Holy Cross HospitalNo price file found
- Jefferson Medical CenterNo website on record
- Mary Washington HospitalWebsite blocks automated reading
- Reston Hospital CenterNo price file found
- Sentara Northern Virginia Medical CenterFile in an unsupported format
- Sibley Memorial HospitalWebsite blocks automated reading
- Spotsylvania Regional Medical CenterNo price file found
- Stafford Hospital, LLCWebsite blocks automated reading
- Stonesprings Hospital CenterNo price file found
- Suburban HospitalWebsite blocks automated reading
- United Medical CenterNo price file found
- University of MD Capital Region Medical CenterWebsite blocks automated reading
- University of MD Charles Regional Medical CenterWebsite blocks automated reading
- Virginia Hospital CenterWebsite blocks automated reading
- Warren Memorial HospitalWebsite blocks automated reading