Affordable MRI Near Fayetteville, AR
If you live in Fayetteville and need an MRI, the closest Millenium MRI center is a short drive north in Springdale. A self-pay scan there costs $500, and you do not need a referral to book one. If you would rather use insurance, you will need a doctor's order.
This guide focuses on cost. It explains what the $500 price covers, how to compare it with other quotes, when insurance makes more sense, and how to book from Fayetteville.
Key takeaways
Millenium MRI does not have an office in Fayetteville. Our nearest center is in Springdale, at 307 N 48th St, Suite B2.
Self-pay MRI at our Arkansas centers is $500 per scan, with no referral needed.
Insurance patients need a doctor's order, and your plan sets your copay, deductible and approval rules.
Ask whether your order is one scan or more than one, since the price is per scan.
Results usually go to your doctor within 24 hours.
Where Fayetteville patients go for an MRI
Millenium MRI is an independent imaging center, not a hospital department. Fayetteville patients use our Springdale center, which also serves Farmington, Prairie Grove, Johnson and the University of Arkansas area.
Address: 307 N 48th St, Suite B2, Springdale, AR 72762
Phone: (479) 379-8079
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (closed weekends)
Same-day appointments are often available, but the schedule changes through the day. Call to confirm a time before you leave Fayetteville.
How much does an MRI cost near Fayetteville?
At Millenium MRI, a self-pay MRI in Arkansas is $500 per scan. That price is the same at all four of our Arkansas centers: Springdale, North Little Rock, Jonesboro and Marion.
Prices elsewhere can vary a lot. Hospital imaging departments often charge much more, partly because of facility fees and higher overhead. An independent center like ours has lower overhead, which helps keep the self-pay price simple.
What "per scan" means for your bill
The price is charged for each scan, so the total depends on what your doctor orders. For example, an MRI of your lower back is one scan. An MRI of your lower back and your neck is two scans.
Before you book, it helps to ask:
Is my order for one scan or more than one?
Does my doctor want the scan with or without contrast?
Is there anything else I should expect to pay for on the day?
Our team can answer these questions when you call. Having your order in front of you makes the call quicker.
Comparing quotes the right way
When you compare MRI prices, make sure you are comparing the same thing. A self-pay price, an insurance estimate and a hospital's posted cash price each answer a different question. Some quotes include the radiologist's reading fee, and some bill it separately.
A fair comparison looks at the exact exam, the body part, whether contrast is included, and whether the radiologist's fee is part of the price. For more on why prices differ so much, see why MRI costs are so high.
Self-pay or insurance: which is cheaper for you?
Both routes are available at Millenium MRI. The better choice depends on your plan and how much of your deductible you have met.
Route | Referral needed? | Who it may suit |
Self-pay (cash) | No | People with high deductibles, no insurance, or who want a clear price upfront |
Insurance | Yes, a doctor's order | People who have met their deductible or have low imaging copays |
Workers' comp or personal injury | Usually an order | People with a work injury or accident claim |
When self-pay may make sense
If you have a high-deductible plan and have not met your deductible yet, you may end up paying most of an insured MRI bill yourself. In that case, a $500 self-pay price can be easier to plan for. Self-pay also lets you book without waiting for a referral. Learn more in our guide to cash pay MRI.
Your doctor still matters. Even if you do not need a referral to book, your doctor can help decide which scan fits your symptoms and can review the results with you.
When insurance may make sense
If you have already met your deductible, or your plan has a low copay for imaging, insurance may cost you less. Call your insurer before your visit and ask:
Is this MRI covered under my plan?
Do I need prior authorization (also called pre-certification)?
What will my copay, deductible or coinsurance be?
A doctor's order and insurance approval are two different things. Your doctor's office sends the order. Your insurer may have its own review before it agrees to pay. Checking both ahead of time helps avoid delays.
Workers' comp and accident claims
We accept workers' compensation and personal injury cases. For a work injury, follow your employer's and insurer's process for approval first. For an accident claim, your attorney may work with us on payment. This is general information, not legal advice.
Which MRI scans are available?
Your doctor decides which exam you need. Common reasons people from Fayetteville come to us include back and neck pain, sports injuries to the knee or shoulder, and headaches or other brain symptoms.
All Millenium MRI centers offer full body MRI, NeuroQuant brain volume analysis and prostate MRI. Springdale is one of only two centers (along with Ocala, FL) that also offers DTI and SWI brain imaging and OnQ Prostate.
Making the visit comfortable
An MRI takes pictures using a strong magnet and radio waves, not X-rays. The machine is loud, and you need to lie still while it works. Most patients are in and out in about 35 minutes, depending on the exam.
A few tips can help:
Tell the team ahead of time if you feel anxious in tight spaces.
Ask what the scan will sound and feel like before it starts.
Agree on how to signal the technologist if you need a pause.
Tell staff about any implants or metal in your body, and bring any implant card you have.
If small spaces worry you, read our tips on how to overcome claustrophobia during an MRI.
Who reads your scan and sends results
An ARRT-certified technologist performs your MRI. A board-certified radiologist then reads the images and writes a report. Results usually go to your doctor within 24 hours.
Your doctor will explain what the report means and what comes next. A report is one piece of the picture. Your doctor puts it together with your symptoms and history.
A note on full body MRI screening
Some people ask about a full body MRI as a check-up. A full body scan gives a broad view, but it does not look at every part of the body in the same detail. It may not give a detailed look at the heart or the blood vessels around it, and it can miss very small findings.
A full body MRI does not replace routine screenings your doctor recommends, such as mammograms or colonoscopies. Talk with your doctor about whether it fits your health goals.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a Millenium MRI in Fayetteville?
No. Our closest center is in Springdale, a short drive north of Fayetteville. It serves patients from across Northwest Arkansas.
How much is a self-pay MRI for Fayetteville patients?
Self-pay MRI at our Arkansas centers is $500 per scan. If your doctor orders more than one body area, each scan is priced separately.
Do I need a referral?
Not if you pay cash. Self-pay patients can book without a referral. If you want to use insurance, you need a doctor's order.
Does MRI use radiation?
No. MRI uses a magnetic field and radio waves, not the X-rays used in CT scans.
How fast will I get my results?
A board-certified radiologist reads your scan, and results usually reach your doctor within 24 hours. Your doctor will go over them with you.
Related reading
Schedule an MRI at Millenium MRI
Fayetteville patients can book at Millenium MRI Springdale, 307 N 48th St, Suite B2, Springdale, AR 72762. Call (479) 379-8079, Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm, or send a booking request online.
This article is for general information and is not medical advice. Talk with your doctor about your specific situation.
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