Agree that it pays to shop around for MRIs and not just go to the location the Doc sends you too. Most healthplans offer price comparison tools that will show you the exact cost of each procedure for each provider within a given number of miles. When I had my last MRI I used my health insurer's tool to price shop and saw the exact differences already noted - from $400 to $2500. I also think that in the current environment in healthcare it also makes sense to tell the provider you are at that you're willing to go to another location that charges $400 unless they're willing to provide the service at or near the same price - this assumes you're self paying and not going through your insurance (where they have their own rates set).