MRI Center in Knoxville

June 15, 2026

An MRI center in Knoxville gives patients a place to have magnetic resonance imaging performed in an outpatient setting, separate from a hospital, with scans interpreted by physician radiologists. Magnetic resonance imaging uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves, not ionizing radiation, to produce detailed images of soft tissue, joints, the brain, and the spine. Knoxville is Tennessee’s third largest city, with a population of roughly 195,185 as of 2024 (U.S. Census Bureau), and it anchors a metro area whose orthopedic, neurological, and oncology referrals keep demand for outpatient imaging steady throughout the year. For patients weighing where to have a study done, a dedicated center offers scheduling, pricing, and report turnaround that differ from the hospital experience.

The images an MRI center produces are only as useful as the physician who reads them. In Tennessee, the radiologists who interpret scans are physicians, holding either an M.D. or a D.O. degree, and the field’s recognized credential is board certification through the American Board of Radiology. These physicians are licensed by the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners under the Tennessee Department of Health, which maintains a public license-verification system patients can use to confirm a doctor’s standing. Many quality-focused outpatient centers also pursue accreditation from the American College of Radiology (ACR), a voluntary review of equipment, staff qualifications, safety protocols, and image quality that signals a facility meets nationally recognized standards.

Tennessee regulates diagnostic imaging facilities through several channels. Outpatient diagnostic centers operate under Department of Health oversight, and the radiologic technologists who position patients and run the scanners work within state practice standards. Tennessee charges a 7% state sales tax plus a local option tax, though medical services themselves are generally not taxed the way retail goods are; patients paying out of pocket should still request an itemized estimate. Consumer protection for billing disputes and deceptive practices falls under the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs, which enforces the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act (TCA 47-18-104). Patients can verify a facility’s radiologists through the Tennessee Department of Health and confirm ACR accreditation through the ACR’s public directory before booking.

MRI scanners differ in ways that matter to patients. Field strength, measured in tesla, is commonly 1.5T or 3T, with higher field strength generally producing finer detail for certain neurological and musculoskeletal studies, while bore design ranges from conventional closed systems to wide-bore and open configurations that accommodate larger patients or those who experience claustrophobia. Outpatient centers frequently price self-pay MRI studies below hospital rates, which is significant for patients with high-deductible plans or no insurance, so it is worth requesting a cash price and confirming whether a physician referral is required. The following profiles cover established outpatient imaging providers serving Knoxville. This information is educational and is not medical advice; patients should consult their physician about which imaging study and facility are appropriate for their situation.

Top MRI Center Providers in Knoxville

1. Provision Diagnostic Imaging

Address: 1415 Old Weisgarber Road, Suite 120, Knoxville, TN 37909
Phone: (865) 684-2600
Website: https://provisiondiagnosticimaging.com
Services: MRI (1.5T and 3.0T open-bore), PET/CT, CT, nuclear medicine, ultrasound, X-ray
Description: Provision Diagnostic Imaging is an outpatient medical imaging center in West Knoxville and part of the Provision Healthcare organization. The center operates both a 1.5T and a 3.0T MRI, both built around open-bore designs intended to reduce the confinement that some patients experience in conventional scanners; the 3.0T system is described as having an extra-large open bore, and the 1.5T offers roughly a foot of headroom that allows many exams to be performed with the patient’s head outside the system. Beyond MRI, the center provides PET/CT, including cardiac and PSMA prostate imaging, along with CT, nuclear medicine, ultrasound, and X-ray. The facility markets its outpatient model around affordability, convenience, and timely scheduling, positioning it as an alternative to hospital-based imaging for patients managing cost and turnaround.

2. Abercrombie Radiology

Address: 4820 Old Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919
Phone: (865) 584-3444
Website: https://www.abercrombieradiology.org
Services: MRI and MRA, full-body MRI, X-ray, ultrasound, 3D mammography, DEXA bone density, interventional radiology
Description: Abercrombie Radiology is a long-established Knoxville imaging practice that traces its history to 1925, making it one of the oldest radiology groups in the region. The practice lists a staff of physicians described as 21 radiologists, M.D.s and D.O.s, with a combined practice experience the group characterizes as more than five centuries. Its services span MRI and MRA, full-body MRI, X-ray, ultrasound, DEXA bone density, and interventional radiology, and its Abercrombie Breast Center provides 3D mammography. The facility holds American College of Radiology accreditation across multiple modalities, including magnetic resonance imaging, mammography, and ultrasound, which reflects independent review of its equipment, staffing, and image quality.

3. University Diagnostics

Address: 601 South Hall of Fame Drive, Knoxville, TN 37915
Phone: (865) 525-7100
Website: https://universitydiagnostics.com
Services: Open MRI, CT, ultrasound, X-ray, bone density, fluoroscopy, heart screening, CT lung screening
Description: University Diagnostics is a multi-service outpatient imaging center that emphasizes consistent, quality imaging and patient care. The practice operates three locations in the Knoxville area, the Hall of Fame Drive flagship along with sites on Town Center Boulevard in the Northshore area and on Maynardville Pike in Halls, which gives patients across the metro several access points. Services include Open MRI, with extended hours available at the Hall of Fame location, plus CT, ultrasound, X-ray, bone density, fluoroscopy, and screening exams for heart and lung. University Diagnostics is accredited by the American College of Radiology, and it offers a financial-assistance application for patients who need help managing the cost of imaging.

Frequently Asked Questions About MRI Center in Knoxville

Q: Who reads the MRI scans at a Knoxville imaging center?

MRI scans are interpreted by radiologists, who are physicians holding an M.D. or D.O. degree. The recognized credential in the field is board certification through the American Board of Radiology, and Tennessee radiologists are licensed to practice by the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners under the Tennessee Department of Health. Patients can verify a physician’s license and standing through the Department of Health’s public verification system before their appointment.

Q: What does American College of Radiology accreditation mean?

American College of Radiology (ACR) accreditation is a voluntary review in which the ACR evaluates a facility’s equipment, staff qualifications, safety protocols, and image quality against nationally recognized standards. A center can be accredited in specific modalities, such as MRI, CT, mammography, or ultrasound. Accreditation is one objective signal of quality, and patients can confirm a facility’s status through the ACR’s public directory.

Q: What is the difference between 1.5T and 3T MRI?

The T refers to tesla, a measure of the scanner’s magnetic field strength. A 3T machine has roughly twice the field strength of a 1.5T machine and can produce finer detail for certain neurological and musculoskeletal studies, while 1.5T remains a clinical standard suitable for a wide range of exams. The right field strength depends on the body part and the clinical question, which is a decision for the ordering physician and radiologist.

Q: Is an outpatient MRI in Knoxville cheaper than a hospital MRI?

Outpatient imaging centers frequently price self-pay MRI studies below hospital rates, which can matter for patients with high-deductible plans or no insurance. Costs vary by facility, body part, and whether contrast is used, so patients should request a specific self-pay or cash price and an itemized estimate in advance, and confirm whether a physician referral is required.

Q: Do I need a referral to schedule an MRI?

Most MRI studies require an order from a referring physician, since the radiologist needs the clinical question to perform and interpret the correct exam. Some centers can help coordinate a referral, but patients should confirm the facility’s policy when scheduling. This article is informational and not medical advice; decisions about whether and what to scan rest with the patient’s physician.

Q: How do I file a complaint about billing or service at an imaging center?

Billing disputes and concerns about deceptive practices can be directed to the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs, which enforces the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act (TCA 47-18-104). Complaints involving a radiologist’s professional conduct or licensure can be reported to the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners under the Department of Health. Keeping itemized bills, the referral, and any written estimates strengthens a complaint.