MRI, knee or other leg joint
Facility: Saint John Hospital
Billing Code: 73721 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 73721
- Insurance Median: $238
- Cash Discount Price: $224
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.98x Medicare
Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.
Median negotiated contract rate across all mapped commercial carriers.
Standard federal government reimbursement rate for this code.
Visual Cost Comparison vs. Medicare
Understanding this gauge: We use the federal Medicare rate of $243.77 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.
Out-of-Pocket Cost Estimator
Estimate whether it is more economical to use your insurance or pay the upfront self-pay cash rate.
Commercial Insurance Negotiated Rates
Negotiated contract ranges established by major commercial carriers at this facility.
| Carrier / Plan Group | Contract Rate Range | vs. Medicare Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Medicaid / KanCare | $131 | 54% |
| Midland Care Connection | $225 | 92% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $225 - $315 | 92% |
| Aetna | $225 - $397 | 92% |
| Cigna | $225 | 92% |
| Tricare | $225 | 92% |
| Medicare (plans) | $225 | 92% |
| Kansas Superior Select | $229 | 94% |
| Celtic | $236 - $360 | 97% |
| Healthy Blue | $236 - $238 | 97% |
| Comp Alliance Workers Comp | $249 | 102% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $262 - $553 | 107% |
| Oha Networks | $269 | 110% |
| Worker Compensation | $277 | 114% |
| Employer Direct Healthcare | $315 | 129% |
| Corizon | $315 | 129% |
| Well Path | $315 | 129% |
| Centurion | $337 | 138% |
| Naphcare | $348 | 143% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI of a knee or other leg joint at Saint John Hospital in Leavenworth, Kansas, the cash price is $224.00, which is lower than the state average of $262.00. While many insurance plans negotiate rates ranging from $225 to $553, these amounts are often higher than the cash price due to administrative costs and contract structures. Patients with high-deductible plans may find it beneficial to pay the cash rate directly, as the negotiated rates for in-network payers like UnitedHealthcare and Blue Cross Blue Shield can exceed the out-of-pocket cash cost. To secure the lowest possible price, it is recommended to ask the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, which can further reduce the final bill.
The facility's Medicare benchmark rate is $243.77, serving as a reliable baseline for evaluating commercial pricing, as it reflects the true cost of care rather than inflated chargemaster lists. Although the hospital's negotiated rates for various insurers are generally close to or slightly above the cash price, the wide variance in allowed amounts across different plans suggests that individual coverage details significantly impact out-of-pocket costs. Consumers should avoid accepting summary bills that obscure specific charges, as an itemized audit can reveal errors or unbundled codes that may be disputed. Furthermore, if a patient receives a balance bill from an out-of-network provider, they should verify the legality of the charge under the No Surprises Act before making immediate payments, ensuring they are not signing away rights to dispute out-of-network fees.