The same MRI can cost $400 at an independent imaging center or more than $3,000 at a hospital. What you pay depends on where you go, your deductible and whether the procedure counts as preventive, basic or major care.
Choose a procedure and how you pay. The estimator shows the typical full price, then applies a cash discount, your medical deductible and coinsurance, or your dental plan coverage and annual maximum, to estimate your share.
Medical and Dental Out-of-Pocket Cost Estimator
Estimate what you will actually pay for a scan, procedure or dental work, with insurance or as a cash-pay patient.
| Item | Typical | Range |
|---|
Full prices are 2026 typical US cash or billed amounts. Insured estimates apply your deductible and coinsurance to a typical in-network negotiated rate, which is usually lower than the list price. Call your plan or use its cost estimator for the exact figure, and always ask for a written self-pay quote if you are uninsured.
Typical full prices in 2026
| Procedure | Typical price range |
|---|---|
| MRI, one body part | $400 to $3,500 |
| CT scan | $300 to $3,000 |
| Colonoscopy | $1,250 to $4,800 |
| Root canal, molar | $1,000 to $1,800 |
| Dental crown | $1,000 to $2,000 |
| All four wisdom teeth, impacted | $1,500 to $4,500 |
| LASIK, both eyes | $3,000 to $6,000 |
Five ways to pay less
- Use an independent imaging or surgery center instead of a hospital outpatient department when your doctor allows it.
- Ask for the self-pay price before your visit. Many providers discount cash prices.
- Check your plan cost tool for the in-network negotiated rate.
- Time big dental work across two plan years if you will hit the annual maximum.
- Use HSA or FSA money for eligible costs, including LASIK.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an MRI cost without insurance?
Most cash-pay MRIs cost $400 to $3,500. Independent imaging centers are usually at the low end, and hospitals at the high end. Ask for the self-pay price in advance.
How is my out-of-pocket cost calculated?
You pay the negotiated rate until your deductible is met, then a share of the rest called coinsurance, usually 10 to 30 percent, until you reach your out-of-pocket maximum. The calculator applies these steps to a typical negotiated rate.
Does dental insurance cover crowns and root canals?
Usually partly. Many plans cover basic care such as fillings at about 80 percent and major care such as crowns at about 50 percent, after the deductible and only up to the annual maximum, often $1,000 to $2,000.
Does insurance cover LASIK?
Almost never, because it is considered elective. Some vision plans and employers offer discounts, and you can pay with HSA or FSA funds.
More free calculators
How this calculator works: full prices are 2026 typical US cash and billed amounts. Insured estimates apply your deductible, coinsurance and out-of-pocket maximum to an estimated in-network rate, or typical dental coverage tiers and your annual maximum. Actual prices vary by provider and plan. Figures are estimates as of October 2026, not medical or insurance advice. See our disclaimer.
