MRI of the lower back (lumbar spine), without contrast at Northwestern Memorial Hospital
CPT 72148 · Chicago, IL
These are Northwestern Memorial Hospital's own posted figures from its standard-charges file dated April 1, 2026. They are not a quote. Source: the hospital's file · its price transparency page.
Across 39 Illinois hospitals we index that post a cash price for this service: lowest $254.00, median $1,790.00, highest $5,558.00. See every hospital.
Nearby hospitals, same service
| Hospital | Distance | Cash price | Gross charge | File date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ann & Robert H Lurie Childrens Hospital of Chicago Chicago, IL | 0.0 mi | $4,099.20 | $5,856.00 | 2026-09-01 |
| Humboldt Park Health Chicago, IL | 3.5 mi | $550.66 | $1,966.65 | 2026-09-29 |
| Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center Chicago, IL | 3.6 mi | $2,125.00 | $4,250.00 | 2025-11-04 |
| Presence Saint Joseph Hospital - Chicago Chicago, IL | 3.6 mi | $1,181.40 | $3,580.00 | 2026-01-01 |
| University of Illinois Hospital and Clinics Chicago, IL | 3.9 mi | $1,801.20 | $6,004.00 | 2026-04-01 |
| Mt Sinai Hospital Medical Center Chicago, IL | 4.4 mi | $3,098.13 | $4,425.90 | 2026-09-22 |
| Louis A Weiss Memorial Hospital Chicago, IL | 5.9 mi | $1,425.49 | $4,192.62 | 2025-03-17 |
| Swedish Hospital Chicago, IL | 6.9 mi | $3,908.00 | $3,908.00 | 2026-04-01 |
Distances are straight-line from ZIP code centers. Each hospital's figures come from its own file; files are updated on different dates.
Every row for CPT 72148 in this hospital's file
| Row in the hospital's file | Setting | Cash | Gross | Insurer min – max |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HB MRI Lumbar Spine W/O Dye standard_charge_information[77439] | outpatient | $3,837.40 | $5,482.00 | $1,063.51 – $5,482.00 |
The first row is the one used above. A price for one code usually covers the hospital's facility charge only; the doctor, anesthesia, pathology and other services can be billed separately. Ask the hospital for a good faith estimate before a scheduled service: if you pay yourself and the bill comes in $400 or more above the estimate, you can dispute it under the No Surprises Act.
Check a bill from this hospital All Northwestern Memorial Hospital prices