Posted Price

MRI of the lower back (lumbar spine), without contrast at Mercy Hospital South

CPT 72148 · Saint Louis, MO

Cash price$1,643.20
Gross charge$2,528.00
Insurer rates$560.00 – $679.00

These are Mercy Hospital South's own posted figures from its standard-charges file dated June 10, 2026. They are not a quote. Source: the hospital's file · its price transparency page.

Across 14 Missouri hospitals we index that post a cash price for this service: lowest $1,370.20, median $1,532.90, highest $3,476.40. See every hospital.

Nearby hospitals, same service

HospitalDistanceCash priceGross chargeFile date
Missouri Baptist Medical Center
Saint Louis, MO
9.1 mi$1,422.60$2,371.002025-12-15
Barnes Jewish Hospital
Saint Louis, MO
11.3 mi$1,407.60$2,346.002025-12-15
St. Louis Childrens Hospital
Saint Louis, MO
11.3 mi$3,476.40$5,794.002025-12-15
Mercy Hospital St. Louis
Saint Louis, MO
12.1 mi$2,141.10$3,294.002026-06-04
Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital
Creve Coeur, MO
12.1 mi$1,422.60$2,371.002025-12-15
Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital
Maryland Heights, MO
16.8 mi$1,974.72$2,468.402026-04-24
Mercy Hospital Jefferson
Crystal City, MO
18.0 mi$1,370.20$2,108.002026-06-10
Christian Hospital Northeast
Saint Louis, MO
18.8 mi$1,422.60$2,371.002025-12-15

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 fileSettingCashGrossInsurer min – max
MRI Lumbar Spine WO Cont
line 1271343
outpatient$1,643.20$2,528.00$560.00 – $679.00
MRI Lumbar Spine WO Cont
line 1271346
outpatient$1,643.20$2,528.00$234.45 – $537.72
MRI Lumbar Spine WO Cont
line 1271827
outpatient$1,643.20$2,528.00$164.32 – $2,528.00
MRI Lumbar Spine WO Cont
line 1272639
outpatient$1,643.20$2,528.00$206.06 – $574.77
MRI Lumbar Spine WO Cont
line 1273261
outpatient$1,643.20$2,528.00$351.00 – $1,000.00
MRI Lumbar Spine WO Cont
line 2945481
outpatient$1,643.20$2,528.00$303.51 – $303.51
MRI Lumbar Spine WO Cont
line 2945482
outpatient$1,643.20$2,528.00$234.45 – $418.23

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 Mercy Hospital South prices