CMS Price Transparency Data

CT scan, lower back (lumbar spine)

Facility: Northside Hospital Duluth

Billing Code: 72131 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)
  • CPT Billing Code: 72131
  • Insurance Median: $1,128
  • Cash Discount Price: $3,319
  • vs. Medicare Baseline: 10.56x Medicare
The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a CT scan, lower back (lumbar spine) at Northside Hospital Duluth is $1,128. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $3,319. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $106.81, this hospital’s rate is 10.56x the Medicare baseline. Located in 3620 Howell Ferry Road, Duluth, GA.
Cash / Self-Pay
$3,319

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median
$1,128

Median negotiated contract rate across all mapped commercial carriers.

Medicare Reference Rate
$106.81

Standard federal government reimbursement rate for this code.

Visual Cost Comparison vs. Medicare

Medicare Reference Baseline: $106.81 (100%)
Cash / Self-Pay: $3,319 (3107%)
Insurance Median: $1,128 (1056%)
Cash: $3,319 (3107% of Medicare)
Ins. Median: $1,128 (1056% of Medicare)

Understanding this gauge: We use the federal Medicare rate of $106.81 as the cost baseline. Rates below the baseline represent excellent value. In-network commercial rates commonly hover around 150% - 250% of Medicare, while rates exceeding 300% are elevated. Hover over the green and blue markers to view detailed calculations.

Elevated Commercial Rate Alert (Value-Gap)

The negotiated rate at this facility is 1056% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 956%). Patients with high-deductible plans or out-of-network benefits may face excessive out-of-pocket costs.

Out-of-Pocket Cost Estimator

Estimate whether it is more economical to use your insurance or pay the upfront self-pay cash rate.

Input your details and click calculate to compare out-of-pocket costs.

Commercial Insurance Negotiated Rates

Negotiated contract ranges established by major commercial carriers at this facility.

Carrier / Plan Group Contract Rate Range vs. Medicare Reference
Champus Va $82 77%
Blue Cross Blue Shield $103 - $3,084 96%
Clear Springs Eon Health $103 96%
Medicare (plans) $103 - $124 96%
UnitedHealthcare $103 - $1,307 96%
Va Ccn $103 96%
Aetna $104 - $1,455 97%
Humana $104 - $107 97%
Bccp $105 98%
Cbww $105 98%
Coventry $105 - $3,009 98%
Caresource $106 - $1,646 99%
Kaiser $106 - $1,483 99%
Tricare $106 99%
Wellcare $106 99%
Clover Health $108 101%
Pruitt Health Premier $108 101%
Streamline Imaging $138 129%
One Call Diagnostics $194 182%
Mti $204 191%
Homelink $216 202%
Genex/Priority Care Solutions $223 209%
Spreemo $223 209%
Fairly Group $237 222%
Us Dept Of Labor Wc $247 231%
Authentic 4D $251 235%
Direct Pay Provider Network Llc $251 235%
Corvel Workers Comp $265 248%
Employers Choice Network $265 248%
Fieldale Farms Wc $279 261%
Georgia Workers Compensation $279 261%
Truths Community $379 355%
Med Care Solutions $430 403%
Medlien Healthcare Services $430 403%
Health One Alliance_Ppo $450 421%
Ambetter / Centene $559 - $949 523%
Amerigroup $559 - $795 523%
Institutional Gwinnett County Govt $559 - $795 523%
Medicaid / KanCare $559 - $914 523%
Cigna $672 - $1,387 629%
Oscar $695 651%
Good Samaritan Radiology $884 828%
Northside Health Network $1,448 1356%
Georgia Reproductive Specialists $1,770 1657%
Quick Trip $2,434 2279%
Novanet_Ppo $3,098 2900%
Phcs $3,319 3107%
Beech Steet $3,761 3521%
Multiplan $3,761 3521%
Multiplan Workers Comp $3,761 3521%
Careiq $4,425 4143%
Dekalb_Department Of Health $4,425 4143%
Fifa $4,425 4143%
Institutional Marietta Surgery Center $4,425 4143%
Institutional Veterans Evaluation Services $4,425 4143%
Johnson Ferry Imaging $4,425 4143%
Marietta Dermatology Clinical Research Inc $4,425 4143%
Rabun County Boc $4,425 4143%
West Paces Imaging Agreement $4,425 4143%

Self-Pay Upfront Cash Action Plan

Insurance In-Network Protection Plan

Facility Profile & Credentials

  • Address: 3620 Howell Ferry Road, Duluth, GA 30096
  • CMS Rating: ★★★★☆
  • Ownership Type: Voluntary non-profit - Private
  • Hospital Type: Acute Care Hospitals