Question 1

How much does an MRI cost in Austin without insurance?

Accepted Answer

Cash-pay MRI prices in Austin range $399-$1,200 depending on the body part and whether you need contrast. MarketCare tracks verified prices for MRI Lumbar (CPT 72148), MRI Knee (73721), and MRI Shoulder (73221) at 15+ Austin imaging centers, including Affordable MRI Austin at $399 cash-pay and Central Park Imaging.

Question 2

How much does a colonoscopy cost in Austin without insurance?

Accepted Answer

Verified cash-pay colonoscopy prices in Austin range $1,100-$2,500 all-inclusive (anesthesia, facility, pathology). MarketCare tracks Austin Gastroenterology, ColonoscopyAssist, and similar cash-pay-friendly providers. Capsule endoscopy (CPT 91110) runs $2,000-$2,400.

Question 3

Is cash-pay cheaper than using insurance?

Accepted Answer

Often yes. Cash-pay is typically 40-70% below the insured rate because it skips claim coding, prior authorization, and facility markups. If you're close to hitting your deductible, running it through insurance may still be cheaper overall.

Question 4

How does MarketCare verify prices?

Accepted Answer

MarketCare verifies prices at the source: agents call clinics as cash-pay patients asking for the all-inclusive price (procedure + anesthesia + pathology + facility), follow up by email, and check providers' published cash prices and hospital price disclosures. Each price is dated, attributed, and re-verified on a rolling basis. See /how-we-verify for the full methodology.

Question 5

Can I use HSA or FSA funds for cash-pay procedures?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Qualified medical expenses are HSA/FSA eligible whether or not they're billed through insurance. Ask the provider for an itemized receipt with the CPT code at the time of service for your reimbursement paperwork.

Question 6

Does MarketCare take money from hospitals or insurers?

Accepted Answer

No. MarketCare is independently funded and accepts no money from hospitals, health systems, or insurers. Funding comes from a small patient subscription and a flat monthly listing fee from clinics. The listing fee never buys ranking, placement, or a better price.

Question 7

How much can I save by paying cash instead of using insurance in Austin?

Accepted Answer

Cash-pay patients in Austin save about 58% on average versus the insured or hospital chargemaster rate, and 40-70% is typical for a given procedure. MarketCare shows the verified cash price next to the hospital list price so you can see the gap before you book.

Question 8

What procedures does MarketCare have cash prices for in Austin?

Accepted Answer

MarketCare publishes verified cash prices for 537 procedures across 1,001 Austin providers: imaging (MRI, CT, ultrasound, mammogram, X-ray), lab work, primary and urgent care, dental, and surgery (colonoscopy, cataract, hernia, vasectomy, and more). Browse the full priced list at https://marketcare.com/prices.

Question 9

How do I find the cheapest provider for a procedure in Austin?

Accepted Answer

Open the procedure page on MarketCare and the providers are ranked cheapest-first, each with the verified cash price, location, and phone number. Call the clinic directly and pay the cash rate: no insurance, login, or referral required.

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healthcare
actually
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Stop guessing
what healthcare
actually costs.

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