Brain MRI cost in California (2026): what insurers pay
Brain MRI cost in California, 2026: across four metro areas, the typical rate insurers pay for a brain MRI at doctors' offices and imaging centers ranges from $289 to $571, depending on the insurer and the area. Rates from the published files of Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of California, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare and Cigna.
Typical rate at offices and imaging centers, by area and insurer
| Area | Anthem Blue Cross | Blue Shield of California | Aetna | UnitedHealthcare | Cigna |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $450 | $333 | $475 | $345 | $418 |
| Oakland | $541 | $330 | $563 | $443 | $571 |
| San Jose | $426 | $329 | $488 | $387 | $560 |
| Los Angeles | $391 | $289 | $468 | $385 | $447 |
Medians across billing entities within 20 miles of each downtown. A dash means fewer than 10 billing entities published a rate. Open an area for ranges and Medicare's rate.
About a brain MRI
An MRI of the brain without contrast dye. It is commonly ordered for headaches with concerning features, dizziness, memory changes, or symptoms that persist after a head injury. Billing code: CPT 70551.
What the price covers
- Rates here are for the whole service billed as one charge: the scan and the radiologist's reading.
- A brain MRI without and then with contrast (CPT 70553) is a different code with a higher price.
Get the price for your exact plan
An insurer has many contracts, and each plan uses one of them. The figures on this page cover all of an insurer's contracts in the area. The price for your plan depends on which one applies, and that is set by your employer or the plan name on your insurance card.
Your insurer's own cost tool gives a plan-specific estimate once you sign in:
- Anthem Blue Cross: Anthem's Find Care and cost estimates
- Blue Shield of California: Blue Shield's Treatment Cost Estimator
- Aetna: Aetna's Find Care cost estimates
- UnitedHealthcare: UnitedHealthcare's price transparency tool
- Cigna: the myCigna cost estimator (sign in)
AI assistants can look it up too. Arlo's free price transparency API and the Arlo MCP server for Claude and ChatGPT take a service, a ZIP code and a plan, and return nearby in-network providers with their negotiated rates.
Where these numbers come from
Rates come from the price transparency files Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of California, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare and Cigna publish. We clean the files before summarizing them and only show an insurer when enough providers report a rate. Medicare figures are from the 2026 Physician Fee Schedule. More on how these pages are built.