MRI, lower back (no contrast)
Facility: Stormont Vail Hospital
Billing Code: 72148 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 72148
- Insurance Median: $222
- Cash Discount Price: Unavailable
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.91x 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ambetter / Centene | $134 - $238 | 55% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $134 - $238 | 55% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $135 - $705 | 55% |
| Aetna | $218 - $222 | 89% |
| Humana | $218 - $222 | 89% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI of the lower back (no contrast) at Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka, KS, the negotiated rates for in-network insurance plans range from $134 to $705, with a median paid amount of $238. This commercial rate is significantly higher than the Medicare benchmark of $243.77, which serves as the federal baseline for the true cost of this service. While the facility is a voluntary non-profit acute care hospital, patients should be aware that insurance negotiated rates often include administrative overhead and do not reflect the lowest possible price available. In cases where a patient has a high deductible or no current coverage, paying the cash price directly could result in lower out-of-pocket costs, provided the facility offers a self-pay rate that is less than the insurance allowed amount.
To minimize potential costs, patients should proactively contact the hospital billing department to inquire about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50% for upfront payment. It is also critical to request a full, itemized bill rather than accepting a summary invoice, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as unbundled codes or charges for services not rendered. Since the No Surprises Act prohibits balance billing for out-of-network providers at in-network facilities, patients should verify that all ancillary services were billed correctly and dispute any unexpected charges in writing before making a payment.