MRI, lower back (no contrast)
Facility: University Of Kansas Health System - St Francis Campus
Billing Code: 72148 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 72148
- Insurance Median: $1,144
- Cash Discount Price: $837
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 4.69x 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 469% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 369%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Black Lung [6055] | $1,144 | 469% |
| Web Tpa [2115] | $1,144 | 469% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $1,144 | 469% |
| Aetna | $1,144 | 469% |
| Healthcare Highways [2210] | $1,144 | 469% |
| Hooray Health [8000] | $1,144 | 469% |
| Lucent Health [6000] | $1,144 | 469% |
| Oncology Patient Assistance Programs [2295] | $1,144 | 469% |
| Department Of Corrections [1340] | $1,395 | 572% |
| National Association Of Letter Carriers [1695] | $1,613 | 662% |
| American Postal Workers Union [1070] | $1,613 | 662% |
| Cigna | $1,613 | 662% |
| Healthpartners [1500] | $1,613 | 662% |
| Humana | $1,646 | 675% |
| Administrative Concepts [1005] | $2,168 | 889% |
| American Healthcare [1055] | $2,168 | 889% |
| Multiplan [1680] | $2,168 | 889% |
| First Health [1375] | $2,168 | 889% |
| Coventry Healthcare [1320] | $2,288 | 939% |
| Ks Disability Determination [6090] | $2,790 | 1145% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI of the lower back (no contrast) at the University of Kansas Health System - St Francis Campus in Topeka, KS, the facility's cash median price is $837.00, which is significantly lower than the gross charge of $2,790.00. While the facility's negotiated rate averages $1,144.00 across 20 payers, this amount remains higher than the cash price, meaning patients with high-deductible plans might save money by paying cash directly if they have not yet met their deductible. It is important to note that the facility's negotiated rate is also higher than the Medicare benchmark of $243.77, illustrating the typical markup found in commercial billing where rates often exceed 400% of the Medicare baseline.
Patients should be aware that the facility's cash rate of $837.00 is notably lower than the state average for this procedure, offering a potential opportunity for cost savings. To maximize these savings, individuals are encouraged to contact the hospital directly to inquire about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can further reduce the final bill by 20% to 50% when paid upfront. Additionally, while the No Surprises Act protects patients from balance billing for out-of-network services at in-network facilities, it is advisable to request a full itemized billing audit before finalizing payment to ensure no unbundled codes or services not rendered are included in the total.