MRI, lower back (no contrast)
Facility: Wesley Medical Center
Billing Code: 72148 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 72148
- Insurance Median: $3,186
- Cash Discount Price: $18,416
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 13.07x 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 1307% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 1207%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| UnitedHealthcare | $131 | 54% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $135 | 55% |
| Amerigroup | $136 | 56% |
| Aetna | $136 - $6,575 | 56% |
| First Health | $234 - $8,490 | 96% |
| Multiplan | $243 - $16,574 | 100% |
| United | $518 - $8,287 | 212% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $531 | 218% |
| Health Partners Of Kansas | $3,186 - $9,208 | 1307% |
| Wppa | $3,204 | 1314% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $3,315 | 1360% |
| Medical Associates Health Plan | $3,481 | 1428% |
| Preferred Health Choices | $3,481 | 1428% |
| Spirit Aerosystems | $5,893 | 2417% |
| Triwest Healthcare Alliance | $11,970 | 4910% |
| Usa Managed Care | $15,654 | 6422% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI, lower back (no contrast) procedure at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, KS, the cash price is $18,416.00, which matches the facility's cash median. This rate is significantly higher than the state average, reflecting the specific negotiated and administrative costs associated with this service in Kansas. While commercial insurance plans like Aetna and Multiplan have negotiated rates ranging from $131 to $16,574, these amounts often exceed the cash price due to administrative overhead and contract structures. Patients with high-deductible plans may find it financially advantageous to pay the cash rate directly, as the insurance negotiated rate could be substantially higher, potentially leaving them responsible for large out-of-pocket costs after their deductible is met.
To minimize unexpected costs, patients should proactively request a prompt-pay discount or self-pay rate before scheduling, as these upfront payments can reduce the total bill by 20% to 50%. It is also critical to avoid accepting summary bills without reviewing the detailed, itemized statement, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as unbundled codes or charges for services not rendered. If a patient receives a bill that appears to include balance billing for out-of-network services at an in-network facility, they should not pay immediately but instead request a No Surprises Act audit from their insurer to dispute the charges legally.