MRI, lower back (no contrast)
Facility: Labette Health
Billing Code: 72148 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 72148
- Insurance Median: $238
- Cash Discount Price: $2,357
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.98x 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Medicaid / KanCare | $132 - $238 | 54% |
| Healthy Blue | $134 - $238 | 55% |
| Humana | $224 | 92% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $224 - $553 | 92% |
| Wellcare | $224 | 92% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $224 - $2,929 | 92% |
| Kansas Superior Select | $230 | 94% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $257 | 105% |
| Montgomery County | $409 | 168% |
| Uhccp | $419 - $491 | 172% |
| Multiplan | $2,862 | 1174% |
| Health Partners Of Kansas, Inc | $3,030 | 1243% |
| Choicecare (First Health Network) | $3,030 | 1243% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this MRI of the lower back without contrast at Labette Health in Parsons, KS, the cash price is $2,357, which is lower than the facility's gross charge of $3,367. While the facility is a government-owned acute care hospital, the negotiated rates vary significantly by payer, ranging from $132 for Medicaid/KanCare plans up to $3,030 for specific self-pay networks like Health Partners of Kansas and Choicecare. It is important to note that commercial insurance negotiated rates often exceed cash prices due to administrative costs and contract structures; therefore, patients with high-deductible plans may find paying the cash price directly more cost-effective than relying on insurance, which could result in higher out-of-pocket costs if the deductible is not yet met.
Before scheduling, patients should explicitly request a "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discount, as hospitals often offer fee reductions of 20% to 50% for upfront payments to bypass costly claims processing. Additionally, if you are using insurance, be aware of the No Surprises Act, which protects you from balance billing for out-of-network services at in-network facilities, though you should still verify that all ancillary services, such as lab work, are covered under your plan. Since over 80% of hospital bills contain errors, do not accept a summary bill as final; instead, demand a full itemized statement showing specific CPT codes to identify any unbundled charges or services not rendered before making any payment.