MRI, knee or other leg joint
Facility: St. Catherine Hospital - Garden City
Billing Code: 73721 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 73721
- Insurance Median: $1,424
- Cash Discount Price: $2,505
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 5.84x 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 584% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 484%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Humana | $123 - $143 | 50% |
| Kansas Health | $123 | 50% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $123 - $4,019 | 50% |
| Kaiser | $123 - $3,325 | 50% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $123 - $746 | 50% |
| Cigna | $123 - $585 | 50% |
| Medicare (plans) | $123 - $143 | 50% |
| Aetna | $123 - $5,464 | 50% |
| Innovage | $143 | 59% |
| Devoted Health | $143 | 59% |
| Direct To Employer | $461 - $4,827 | 189% |
| United Colorado Doctor'S Plan | $518 | 212% |
| Centura Employee Plan | $543 | 223% |
| Peak Health | $619 - $4,707 | 254% |
| Multiplan | $815 - $10,258 | 334% |
| Denver Health | $1,424 - $2,848 | 584% |
| Wpaa | $2,272 - $4,545 | 932% |
| Christian Health Aid | $2,597 - $5,194 | 1065% |
| Health Partners Of Kansas | $3,149 - $6,297 | 1292% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI of a knee or other leg joint at St. Catherine Hospital in Garden City, Kansas, the cash median price is $2,505, which is significantly higher than the state average of $369. While commercial insurance plans like UnitedHealthcare and Aetna have negotiated rates ranging from $123 to over $5,000, patients should be aware that these in-network amounts often exceed the cash price due to administrative overhead and contract structures. If you have a high-deductible plan, paying the cash price of $2,505 upfront might be more cost-effective than relying on insurance, especially since many commercial payers charge rates well above the Medicare benchmark of $243.77. It is advisable to contact the hospital directly to inquire about self-pay or prompt-pay discounts, which can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50% if settled in full before or shortly after the service.
The facility's negotiated rates vary widely across different insurers, with some plans like Multiplan reaching up to $10,258, while others such as Kansas Health and Innovage are fixed at $123. This disparity highlights the importance of verifying your specific plan's allowed amount before scheduling, as assuming that being in-network guarantees the lowest price is a common pitfall. Additionally, while the No Surprises Act protects patients from balance billing for out-of-network services at in-network facilities, it is crucial to request an itemized billing audit if you receive a summary bill, as over 80% of hospital invoices contain errors such as double-billing or unbundled codes. Always ensure you receive a detailed, line-by-line statement to