How much does Knee MRI cost in Sacramento?

Median insurer-negotiated rates range from $469 at UC Davis Medical Center to $2,854 at Sutter Medical Center Sacramento, based on the hospitals' own federally mandated price files.

Is it cheaper to pay cash than use insurance?

Sometimes. Several hospitals publish discounted cash prices below the rates insurers negotiate. If you haven't met your deductible, ask for the self-pay price.

Why do prices differ so much between hospitals?

Each hospital negotiates rates separately with each insurer, and hospitals in the same health system usually share one contract. The same procedure with the same insurer can cost several times more across town.

Costs · Imaging · Knee MRI · Sacramento · code 73721

How much does a knee MRI cost in Sacramento?

MRI scan of the knee without contrast — commonly ordered for meniscus and ligament injuries. Below: the rates insurers have actually negotiated with 8 Sacramento-area hospitals, and the cash (self-pay) prices where published — from the hospitals' own federally required price files.

$469

lowest median negotiated rate

UC Davis Medical Center

$2,854

highest (adult hospitals)

Sutter Medical Center Sacramento

6.1×

price spread

same procedure, same metro

Rates shown

Median negotiated rate per hospital · sorted low → high · hover a bar for the full receipt

cash (self-pay) price

Hospital	Gross charge	Cash price	Negotiated	Range	# rates	vs median

* Specialty hospital (pediatric or cancer center) — rates reflect specialty case mix. † Median based on fewer than 3 published rates — treat as indicative. Bars show the median dollar-denominated commercial negotiated rate; hospitals sharing a health-system contract show similar rates.

SOURCE: standard-charges files from 8 hospitals · file dates 2026-04-01 · retrieved 2026-08-14

Tip: if you haven't met your deductible, ask each hospital for its discounted cash price — it is often far below the billed charge.

Skipping the hospital? 22 independent imaging/outpatient centers in this area negotiate a median $195 all-in for this procedure (110 insurer rates) — less than the lowest hospital facility fee above ($469).

Capitol Imaging Inc — $34
United Global Care Foundation — $34
Northern California P.E.T. Imaging Center — $51
Sacramento Ultrasound, Inc. — $55

All-in (global) negotiated fees from Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of California, Cigna, and UnitedHealthcare's federally mandated Transparency-in-Coverage files, newest dated 2026-08-01; hospital bars above show the facility fee only — a physician fee is usually billed on top. Estimates — confirm with the provider.

← Knee MRI: overview