How Much Is an MRI and How Much Does an EKG Cost?

If you’ve been ordered two tests on the same visit, you’re probably wondering how much is an mri and how much does an ekg cost at the same time. MRI prices are substantially higher, while EKG pricing is on the low end of cardiac testing. The ekg test cost without insurance typically runs $50–$200, while an MRI without insurance can range from $400 to over $3,000 depending on body part and facility. Understanding the cost of ekg vs. MRI helps you plan your healthcare spending when multiple tests are ordered at once. The cost of an ekg at hospital outpatient departments is almost always higher than at an independent cardiology office or urgent care clinic.

Both tests are non-invasive and involve no radiation, but they serve entirely different diagnostic purposes. Knowing what each costs at various facilities helps you make informed choices about where to get tested.

EKG Cost Breakdown: What Drives the Price

An EKG (electrocardiogram) measures the electrical activity of the heart using electrodes placed on the skin. The procedure takes less than five minutes. Despite being quick and simple, the electrocardiogram test cost varies significantly by setting. A standalone cardiology office typically charges $50–$150 for the EKG reading. Hospital emergency departments and outpatient departments charge more, sometimes $200–$400 or higher, because facility fees are added on top of the physician interpretation fee.

With insurance, your out-of-pocket cost for an EKG depends on your copay or coinsurance rate and whether you’ve met your deductible. Most insurance plans cover EKGs when medically ordered. Self-pay patients asking for the cash price directly from a clinic often find the rate for an in-office cardiac tracing is lower than the standard billed amount. Knowing the going rate for performing an EKG before you schedule gives you a reference point for evaluating any quote.

MRI Pricing: Facility Type and Scan Region

What you pay for an MRI depends heavily on where you go. Hospital-based MRI suites add facility fees that can double the effective cost of the scan compared to freestanding imaging centers. A brain MRI at an independent imaging center in most metro areas runs $400–$900 self-pay. The same scan at a hospital outpatient department can be $1,500–$3,000 before insurance adjustments. Knowing how much an MRI scan will run before booking is one of the most practical ways to reduce a major medical bill.

The body region being scanned changes the price as well. Spine, knee, and shoulder MRIs are common and typically fall on the lower end of the MRI price range. Cardiac and abdominal MRIs involve more complex imaging protocols and tend to cost more. Contrast-enhanced MRIs, where a dye is injected to improve image quality, add $100–$400 to the base scan price depending on the facility.

Comparing MRI and EKG Costs at Different Settings

When you’re looking at both tests on the same day, the EKG cost is almost always the smaller concern. An outpatient cardiology office that charges $100 for the EKG might refer you to a freestanding imaging center for the MRI at $500–$700, keeping your combined out-of-pocket manageable. A hospital system offering both tests in one facility may charge $300 for the cardiac tracing and $1,500 for the MRI, a significantly higher combined total.

Insurance complicates the comparison because your out-of-pocket for each test depends on where you are in your deductible cycle. If your deductible is already met, in-network hospital pricing may cost you nothing additional. Early in the year with a fresh deductible, the same tests at a hospital could be billed at full contracted rates, making the lower-cost freestanding option much more financially favorable.

Next Steps

Call the imaging center or cardiology office before your appointment and ask specifically for the self-pay or cash price for each test ordered. For the EKG, ask whether the interpretation fee is included or billed separately. For the MRI, ask whether contrast will be used and get that cost included in the quote. Keeping a record of quotes from at least two facilities takes 15 minutes and can save you several hundred dollars on a combination of these tests.