MRI, knee or other leg joint
Facility: University Of Kansas Health System - St Francis Campus
Billing Code: 73721 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 73721
- Insurance Median: $1,716
- Cash Discount Price: $1,046
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 7.04x 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.
Elevated Commercial Rate Alert (Value-Gap)
The negotiated rate at this facility is 704% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 604%). 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.
Commercial Insurance Negotiated Rates
Negotiated contract ranges established by major commercial carriers at this facility.
| Carrier / Plan Group | Contract Rate Range | vs. Medicare Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Web Tpa [2115] | $1,144 - $1,716 | 469% |
| Hooray Health [8000] | $1,144 - $1,716 | 469% |
| Lucent Health [6000] | $1,144 - $1,716 | 469% |
| Healthcare Highways [2210] | $1,144 - $1,716 | 469% |
| Black Lung [6055] | $1,144 - $1,716 | 469% |
| Oncology Patient Assistance Programs [2295] | $1,144 - $1,716 | 469% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $1,144 - $1,716 | 469% |
| Aetna | $1,144 - $1,716 | 469% |
| Department Of Corrections [1340] | $1,395 - $2,092 | 572% |
| Cigna | $1,613 - $2,419 | 662% |
| Healthpartners [1500] | $1,613 - $2,419 | 662% |
| National Association Of Letter Carriers [1695] | $1,613 - $2,419 | 662% |
| American Postal Workers Union [1070] | $1,613 - $2,419 | 662% |
| Humana | $1,646 - $2,469 | 675% |
| Administrative Concepts [1005] | $2,168 - $3,252 | 889% |
| First Health [1375] | $2,168 - $3,252 | 889% |
| American Healthcare [1055] | $2,168 - $3,252 | 889% |
| Multiplan [1680] | $2,168 - $3,252 | 889% |
| Coventry Healthcare [1320] | $2,288 - $3,432 | 939% |
| Ks Disability Determination [6090] | $2,790 - $4,185 | 1145% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI of a knee or other leg joint at the University of Kansas Health System - St Francis Campus in Topeka, the facility's cash price is $1,046, which is significantly lower than the state average of $3,487. While many insurance plans negotiate rates ranging from $1,144 to $4,185, these amounts often exceed the cash price, meaning patients with high-deductible plans might save money by paying out-of-pocket and seeking prompt-pay discounts. The facility's cash rate is also notably lower than the median negotiated rate of $1,716, highlighting that commercial insurance contracts can sometimes result in higher costs for the patient than direct payment.
To minimize unexpected costs, patients should verify their specific plan's allowed amount before scheduling, as some in-network rates may still surpass the cash price. If a patient receives care from an out-of-network provider or encounters services billed at the full chargemaster rate, they may be subject to balance billing, though the No Surprises Act protects against surprise bills for emergency care and non-emergency services at in-network facilities. Additionally, patients should request a detailed, itemized bill to identify any errors, unbundled codes, or services not rendered, as over 80% of hospital bills contain inaccuracies that can be corrected through a formal audit dispute.