Outpatient MRI costs in Tennessee can differ by more than 60 percent between hospital-based departments and freestanding imaging centers, a gap that has driven growing patient interest in independent diagnostic facilities across the state. Tennessee’s regulatory landscape shifted substantially on December 1, 2025, when the state transitioned MRI services from the Certificate of Need (CON) program to a Quality Service License framework under the Tennessee Health Facilities Commission (Public Chapter No. 985). Providers operating MRI equipment must now obtain and annually renew a Quality Service License rather than seek CON approval, a change designed to reduce barriers to imaging access, particularly in counties that previously lacked outpatient MRI availability. The Tennessee Board of Radiologic Imaging and Radiation Therapy oversees technologist licensing under Tenn. Code Ann. 63-6-902, requiring all MRI operators to hold a full radiologic imaging license backed by national certification from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) or an equivalent body. Limited X-ray machine operator licenses explicitly exclude MRI, meaning only fully credentialed technologists may perform these scans.
Tennessee’s MRI landscape spans large academic medical centers in Nashville, Knoxville, and Memphis alongside independent outpatient diagnostic centers that often provide imaging at substantially lower cost than hospital-based facilities. Outpatient centers accredited by the American College of Radiology (ACR) must meet documented standards for equipment performance, personnel qualifications, and quality assurance protocols. The ACR accreditation requirement for outpatient diagnostic centers was reinforced by Tennessee’s 2016 CON reform legislation, which mandated that any center holding a CON achieve ACR accreditation within a timeframe set by the former Health Services and Development Agency. Patients in rural East Tennessee or smaller West Tennessee communities may find fewer outpatient MRI options, as independent imaging centers concentrate in the Nashville, Knoxville, and Memphis metro areas.
When selecting an MRI center in Tennessee, verify that the facility holds current ACR accreditation, which confirms it has passed peer-reviewed evaluations of image quality, safety procedures, and staff credentials. Ask whether the center employs board-certified, subspecialty-trained radiologists for image interpretation, as subspecialty reads (musculoskeletal, neuroradiology, body imaging) can improve diagnostic accuracy for specific conditions. The Tennessee Health Facilities Commission maintains a public database of licensed imaging providers through its Quality Service License portal at tn.gov/hfc. Confirm that the facility’s technologists hold active licenses through the Tennessee Board of Radiologic Imaging and Radiation Therapy, which provides an online verification tool. Patients without insurance should request a Good Faith Estimate, which imaging centers are required to provide under federal price transparency rules, and compare rates between hospital-based and freestanding outpatient centers, where MRI costs can differ by 60 percent or more. Referral requirements, appointment availability (including evening and weekend slots), and whether the center offers open or wide-bore MRI options for patients with claustrophobia are practical factors worth confirming before scheduling.
Top MRI Center Providers in Tennessee
1. University Diagnostics
- Address: 601 S Hall of Fame Dr, Knoxville, TN 37915
- Phone: (865) 525-7100
- Website: https://universitydiagnostics.com
- Rating: 4.8/5 (1,036 reviews)
- Services: MRI, CT scan, ultrasound, X-ray, bone density (DEXA), fluoroscopy, 3D mammography
- Description: University Diagnostics has served the Knoxville community for over 30 years as an independent, freestanding imaging center accredited by the American College of Radiology. The practice operates three East Tennessee locations and employs nearly 40 board-certified, subspecialty-focused radiologists covering musculoskeletal, neuroradiology, oncologic, and body imaging.
2. Diagnostic Imaging, PC
- Address: 6401 Poplar Ave Suite 100, Memphis, TN 38119
- Phone: (901) 387-2340
- Website: https://diagnosticimagingpc.com
- Rating: 4.1/5 (89 reviews)
- Services: MRI, CT scan, ultrasound, mammography, radiography, fluoroscopy, DEXA bone densitometry
- Description: Founded in 1986 as Memphis’ first freestanding outpatient imaging center, Diagnostic Imaging holds ACR accreditation for MRI, CT, and mammography along with FDA mammography certification. The practice is affiliated with Memphis Radiological Professional Corporation and Memphis Vascular Center.
3. Nashville MRI Center
- Address: 330 Wallace Rd Suite 1, Nashville, TN 37211
- Phone: (615) 933-2009
- Website: https://nashvillemri.com
- Rating: 3.8/5 (28 reviews)
- Services: MRI, wide-bore MRI, contrast-enhanced MRI, walk-in MRI
- Description: Nashville MRI Center operates a Siemens Magnetom Espree 1.5T wide-bore system near TriStar Southern Hills Medical Center and accepts all insurances, workers’ compensation, personal injury cases, and self-pay patients. The center is ACR accredited and staffed by fellowship-trained, board-certified specialist radiologists.
Frequently Asked Questions About MRI Center in Tennessee
Q: Does Tennessee require MRI technologists to hold a state license?
Yes. Under Tenn. Code Ann. 63-6-902, all individuals performing MRI procedures in Tennessee must hold a full radiologic imaging license issued by the Tennessee Board of Radiologic Imaging and Radiation Therapy. This license requires current, unrestricted national certification from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) or an equivalent nationally recognized certification body. Limited X-ray machine operator licenses do not cover MRI. The Board provides license verification through its online portal.
Q: How much does an MRI scan cost in Tennessee?
MRI costs in Tennessee vary significantly depending on whether the scan is performed at a hospital-based facility or a freestanding outpatient center. Outpatient imaging centers typically charge between $400 and $700 for common scans, while hospital-based MRI can exceed $1,300 for the same procedure. Some outpatient centers in Tennessee offer self-pay rates and Good Faith Estimates to help uninsured patients plan for costs. Contacting the imaging center directly for a price estimate before scheduling is the most reliable way to compare.
Q: What is ACR accreditation and why does it matter?
ACR accreditation is a voluntary quality certification awarded by the American College of Radiology after a facility passes peer-reviewed evaluations of its equipment performance, technologist qualifications, image quality, and safety protocols. Tennessee’s CON reform legislation required outpatient diagnostic centers to obtain ACR accreditation, and it remains a recognized standard under the current Quality Service License framework. Choosing an ACR-accredited MRI center provides assurance that the facility meets documented national benchmarks for diagnostic imaging quality.
Q: Do I need a referral to schedule an MRI in Tennessee?
Most MRI centers in Tennessee require a physician’s order before performing a scan. This referral, sometimes called a valid order, comes from a licensed medical provider who determines that MRI is clinically appropriate. Insurance companies also typically require a physician’s order and may mandate prior authorization before covering the scan. Some Tennessee imaging centers assist patients and providers with the pre-certification process to minimize scheduling delays.
Q: How has Tennessee’s CON reform changed access to MRI services?
Tennessee’s Public Chapter No. 985, enacted in 2024 with MRI provisions effective December 1, 2025, replaced the Certificate of Need requirement for MRI services with a Quality Service License administered by the Tennessee Health Facilities Commission. Under the previous system, providers in many counties needed state approval before purchasing an MRI machine or initiating MRI services. The new framework requires providers to obtain a Quality Service License and notify the HFC when starting MRI services, but eliminates the lengthy CON application and review process. This change is expected to gradually expand MRI availability, particularly in underserved areas of Tennessee.
Q: What types of MRI machines are available in Tennessee imaging centers?
Tennessee imaging centers operate several types of MRI equipment depending on their patient population and clinical focus. Closed-bore (traditional tunnel) MRI machines produce the highest image resolution and are the standard for most diagnostic scans. Wide-bore MRI machines offer a larger opening (typically 70 cm versus 60 cm) to accommodate patients with claustrophobia or larger body sizes while maintaining strong image quality. Open MRI machines eliminate the tunnel entirely but may produce lower-resolution images for certain body parts. Some Tennessee centers also operate extremity-only MRI units designed specifically for scanning arms, legs, hands, and feet.