MRI, knee or other leg joint
Facility: Providence Medical Center
Billing Code: 73721 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 73721
- Insurance Median: $269
- Cash Discount Price: $224
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.10x 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 | $131 | 54% |
| Tricare | $225 | 92% |
| Midland Care Connection | $225 | 92% |
| Medicare (plans) | $225 | 92% |
| Aetna | $225 - $568 | 92% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $225 - $472 | 92% |
| Cigna | $225 | 92% |
| Kansas Superior Select | $236 | 97% |
| Healthy Blue | $236 - $238 | 97% |
| Celtic | $236 - $360 | 97% |
| Comp Alliance - Fka Compresults Worker Compensation | $249 | 102% |
| Oha Networks | $269 | 110% |
| Worker Compensation | $277 | 114% |
| Corizon | $292 | 120% |
| Well Path Prison | $315 | 129% |
| Employer Direct Healthcare | $315 | 129% |
| Centurion | $337 | 138% |
| Naphcare | $348 | 143% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $360 - $581 | 148% |
| First Health | $1,200 | 492% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI of a knee or other leg joint at Providence Medical Center in Kansas City, KS, the facility's cash price is $224.00, which is significantly lower than the state average of $269.00 and the county average of $224.00. While many commercial payers negotiate rates ranging from $225 to $581—often exceeding the cash price—patients with high-deductible plans may find paying out-of-pocket cheaper if their insurance allows a higher amount than the cash rate. It is important to note that while the facility is a voluntary non-profit church-owned acute care hospital, commercial rates can sometimes be inflated by administrative costs; therefore, patients should always verify their specific plan's allowed amount before scheduling to ensure they are not paying more than necessary.
The Medicare benchmark for this service is $243.77, which serves as a reliable baseline for evaluating pricing fairness, as commercial negotiated rates often average 200% to 300% of this figure. Although the facility's cash rate is lower than the Medicare amount, patients should be aware of balance billing risks if they receive care from out-of-network providers, where the hospital could bill the difference between the provider's full charge and the insurance allowed amount. To avoid unexpected costs, consumers should request a prompt-pay discount before check-in, which can reduce the bill by 20% to 50% for upfront payment, and insist on an itemized bill to identify any errors, unbundled codes, or services not rendered before finalizing payment.