CPT 73721Imaging — MRI14 Bay Area Hospitals Compared
Knee / Lower Extremity Joint MRI Without Contrast
Non-invasive MRI scan of the knee, ankle, hip, or foot joint without contrast dye. Used to evaluate torn ligaments (ACL/meniscus), cartilage wear, arthritis, or sports injuries.
Official CPT Description: Magnetic resonance (e.g., proton) imaging, any joint of lower extremity; without contrast material
CMS OPPS APC: 5523
Bay Area Cash Price Spread
$1,949 – $4,976
2.6x variation across Bay Area hospitals
2026 Medicare Hospital Rate:$339.26
2026 Medicare Office Rate:$204.41
All-In Negotiated Range:$135 – $8,227
Tier 1: General Prices(Cash / Medicare / Negotiated Range)Tier 2: Your Price (Payer-Adjusted for Your Plan)
Accuracy Level — General Prices: You are currently viewing general published hospital cash prices, Medicare baselines, and wide multi-payer ranges. Add your insurance card to see YOUR price for your specific payer and plan.
Side-by-Side Hospital Price Comparison — Knee / Lower Extremity Joint MRI Without Contrast (CPT 73721)
Showing 14 Bay Area hospitals • CMS Medicare OPPS Facility Baseline: $339.26 (Non-Facility Office Rate: $204.41)
| Hospital / Facility | Discounted Cash Price | CMS Medicare Baseline | Negotiated Insurance Range | Published MRF Source & Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| El Camino Health (Mountain View & Los Gatos Campuses) 2500 Grant Rd, Mountain View, CA 94040 (Santa Clara County) MRF Item: HC MRI LOWER EXTREMITY JOINT | $1,949 Gross Chargemaster: $7,796 Self-pay / uninsured rate | $339.26 Hospital Outpatient (OPPS) Office / Non-Facility: $204.41 | $164 – $7,355 Across 8 payer networks | CMS 45 CFR § 180.50 Hospital MRF (v3.0.0) File Date: 2026-04-01 |
| UCSF Medical Center (Parnassus, Mission Bay & Mt. Zion) 505 Parnassus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94143 (San Francisco County) MRF Item: Hc Mri - Le Jnt Wo Contr | $1,954 Gross Chargemaster: $6,514 Self-pay / uninsured rate | $339.26 Hospital Outpatient (OPPS) Office / Non-Facility: $204.41 | $135 – $8,227 Across 9 payer networks | CMS 45 CFR § 180.50 Hospital MRF (v3.0.0) File Date: 2026-04-01 |
| Washington Hospital Healthcare System 2000 Mowry Ave, Fremont, CA 94538 (Alameda County) MRF Item: MRI scan of leg joint without contrast | $2,679 Gross Chargemaster: $4,121 Self-pay / uninsured rate | $339.26 Hospital Outpatient (OPPS) Office / Non-Facility: $204.41 | $339 – $4,006 Across 10 payer networks | CMS 45 CFR § 180.50 Hospital MRF (v3.0.0) File Date: 2026-07-24 |
| Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley (Pleasanton & Livermore) 5555 W Las Positas Blvd, Pleasanton, CA 94588 (Alameda County) MRF Item: MRI Lwr Ext Jnt WO Contrast | $3,485 Gross Chargemaster: $8,712 Self-pay / uninsured rate | $339.26 Hospital Outpatient (OPPS) Office / Non-Facility: $204.41 | $300 – $4,092 Across 7 payer networks | CMS 45 CFR § 180.50 Hospital MRF (v3.0.0) File Date: 2026-04-01 |
| Stanford Health Care (Palo Alto Hospital) 300 Pasteur Dr, Stanford, CA 94305 (Santa Clara County) MRF Item: MRI Lwr Ext Jnt WO Contrast | $4,156 Gross Chargemaster: $10,390 Self-pay / uninsured rate | $339.26 Hospital Outpatient (OPPS) Office / Non-Facility: $204.41 | $351 – $7,447 Across 8 payer networks | CMS 45 CFR § 180.50 Hospital MRF (v3.0.0) File Date: 2026-04-01 |
| Sutter Health — CPMC Van Ness Campus 1101 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94109 (San Francisco County) MRF Item: HCHG MRI EXTREM LOWER JOINT WO CONTR LT | $4,976 Gross Chargemaster: $4,976 Self-pay / uninsured rate | $339.26 Hospital Outpatient (OPPS) Office / Non-Facility: $204.41 | $2,170 – $3,689 Across 6 payer networks | CMS 45 CFR § 180.50 Hospital MRF (v3.0.0) File Date: 2026-04-01 |
| Sutter Health — Alta Bates Summit Medical Center (Berkeley) 2450 Ashby Ave, Berkeley, CA 94705 (Alameda County) MRF Item: HCHG MRI EXTREM LOWER JOINT WO CONTR LT | $4,976 Gross Chargemaster: $4,976 Self-pay / uninsured rate | $339.26 Hospital Outpatient (OPPS) Office / Non-Facility: $204.41 | $339 – $3,689 Across 7 payer networks | CMS 45 CFR § 180.50 Hospital MRF (v3.0.0) File Date: 2026-04-01 |
| Sutter Health — Alta Bates Summit Medical Center (Oakland) 350 Hawthorne Ave, Oakland, CA 94609 (Alameda County) MRF Item: HCHG MRI EXTREM LOWER JOINT WO CONTR LT | $4,976 Gross Chargemaster: $4,976 Self-pay / uninsured rate | $339.26 Hospital Outpatient (OPPS) Office / Non-Facility: $204.41 | $339 – $3,689 Across 7 payer networks | CMS 45 CFR § 180.50 Hospital MRF (v3.0.0) File Date: 2026-04-01 |
| Sutter Health — Eden Medical Center 20103 Lake Chabot Rd, Castro Valley, CA 94546 (Alameda County) MRF Item: HCHG MRI EXTREM LOWER JOINT WO CONTR LT | $4,976 Gross Chargemaster: $4,976 Self-pay / uninsured rate | $339.26 Hospital Outpatient (OPPS) Office / Non-Facility: $204.41 | $339 – $3,689 Across 7 payer networks | CMS 45 CFR § 180.50 Hospital MRF (v3.0.0) File Date: 2026-04-01 |
| Sutter Health — Mills-Peninsula Medical Center 1501 Trousdale Dr, Burlingame, CA 94010 (San Mateo County) MRF Item: HCHG MRI EXTREM LOWER JOINT WO CONTR LT | $4,976 Gross Chargemaster: $4,976 Self-pay / uninsured rate | $339.26 Hospital Outpatient (OPPS) Office / Non-Facility: $204.41 | $346 – $3,689 Across 7 payer networks | CMS 45 CFR § 180.50 Hospital MRF (v3.0.0) File Date: 2026-04-01 |
| Sutter Health — Sutter Delta Medical Center 3901 Lone Tree Way, Antioch, CA 94509 (Contra Costa County) MRF Item: HCHG MRI EXTREM LOWER JOINT WO CONTR LT | $4,976 Gross Chargemaster: $4,976 Self-pay / uninsured rate | $339.26 Hospital Outpatient (OPPS) Office / Non-Facility: $204.41 | $337 – $3,689 Across 7 payer networks | CMS 45 CFR § 180.50 Hospital MRF (v3.0.0) File Date: 2026-04-01 |
| Sutter Health — Novato Community Hospital 180 Rowland Way, Novato, CA 94945 (Marin County) MRF Item: HCHG MRI EXTREM LOWER JOINT WO CONTR LT | $4,976 Gross Chargemaster: $4,976 Self-pay / uninsured rate | $339.26 Hospital Outpatient (OPPS) Office / Non-Facility: $204.41 | $2,170 – $3,689 Across 6 payer networks | CMS 45 CFR § 180.50 Hospital MRF (v3.0.0) File Date: 2026-04-01 |
| Sutter Health — Santa Rosa Regional Hospital 30 Mark West Springs Rd, Santa Rosa, CA 95403 (Sonoma County) MRF Item: HCHG MRI EXTREM LOWER JOINT WO CONTR LT | $4,976 Gross Chargemaster: $4,976 Self-pay / uninsured rate | $339.26 Hospital Outpatient (OPPS) Office / Non-Facility: $204.41 | $328 – $3,689 Across 7 payer networks | CMS 45 CFR § 180.50 Hospital MRF (v3.0.0) File Date: 2026-04-01 |
| Sutter Health — Sutter Solano Medical Center 300 Hospital Dr, Vallejo, CA 94589 (Solano County) MRF Item: HCHG MRI EXTREM LOWER JOINT WO CONTR LT | $4,976 Gross Chargemaster: $4,976 Self-pay / uninsured rate | $339.26 Hospital Outpatient (OPPS) Office / Non-Facility: $204.41 | $2,036 – $3,689 Across 6 payer networks | CMS 45 CFR § 180.50 Hospital MRF (v3.0.0) File Date: 2026-04-01 |
How to use these numbers: Published hospital rates are estimates of what care costs under federal Hospital Price Transparency rules (45 CFR § 180.50), not binding quotes. Always confirm the exact CPT code (73721) and whether facility + professional (radiologist/pathologist/anesthesia) fees are billed separately.
Clinical Context • CareHub Library
Related CareHub Condition Guides
Explore evidence-based symptoms, diagnostic workups, and active clinical trials for conditions that frequently utilize Knee / Lower Extremity Joint MRI Without Contrast.
Neurology
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
Clinical guidelines for managing neurogenic inflammatory pain, evaluating Budapest clinical criteria, and reviewing physical therapy and neuromodulation interventions.
Neurology
Osteoarthritis
Clinical guidelines for managing joint degeneration, pain, and mobility in Osteoarthritis.
Neurology
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Clinical guidelines for managing autoimmune joint inflammation, disease-modifying therapies, and preserving mobility.
More in Imaging — MRI
Compare Related Procedures
CPT 70551Brain MRI Without Contrast
$1,719–$5,481CPT 72148Lumbar Spine (Lower Back) MRI Without Contrast
$2,218–$5,217Explore all procedures in the interactive hub:
Open Full Price Catalogue (/prices) →