MRI, lower back (no contrast)
Facility: St. Catherine Hospital - Garden City
Billing Code: 72148 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 72148
- Insurance Median: $565
- Cash Discount Price: $1,988
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 2.32x 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 232% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 132%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cigna | $107 - $585 | 44% |
| Medicare (plans) | $107 - $124 | 44% |
| Aetna | $107 - $2,732 | 44% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $107 - $2,009 | 44% |
| Kansas Health | $107 | 44% |
| Humana | $107 - $124 | 44% |
| Kaiser | $107 - $1,844 | 44% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $107 - $746 | 44% |
| Devoted Health | $124 | 51% |
| Innovage | $124 | 51% |
| Direct To Employer | $461 - $2,677 | 189% |
| United Colorado Doctor'S Plan | $518 | 212% |
| Centura Employee Plan | $543 | 223% |
| Peak Health | $619 - $2,610 | 254% |
| Multiplan | $815 - $5,688 | 334% |
| Denver Health | $1,579 | 648% |
| Wpaa | $2,272 | 932% |
| Christian Health Aid | $2,597 | 1065% |
| Health Partners Of Kansas | $3,149 | 1292% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI of the lower back without contrast at St. Catherine Hospital in Garden City, Kansas, the cash median price is $1,988, which is significantly higher than the state average of $249. While commercial insurance plans offer negotiated rates ranging from $107 to $5,688, many of these amounts exceed the cash price, particularly for plans like Multiplan and Peak Health. Patients with high-deductible plans may find it financially advantageous to pay the cash price directly, as the $1,988 rate is often lower than the allowed amounts charged by major insurers. To maximize savings, it is recommended to contact the hospital directly to inquire about self-pay discounts or prompt-pay incentives, which can further reduce the final bill.
The facility's Medicare benchmark rate of $243.77 serves as the objective baseline for evaluating pricing, revealing that commercial negotiated rates frequently represent a substantial markup compared to this true cost. Although the facility is a voluntary non-profit church-owned hospital, the wide variance in payer rates—from $107 for Kansas Health to over $5,000 for some Multiplan plans—highlights the importance of verifying your specific plan's allowed amount before scheduling. If you are billed a higher amount than the cash price after insurance processing, you may be subject to balance billing for the difference, though the No Surprises Act provides protections against such unexpected charges for out-of-network services at in-network facilities. Always request a detailed itemized bill to ensure no errors or unbundled codes are included before making payment.