MRI, knee or other leg joint
Facility: Kansas Surgery & Recovery Center
Billing Code: 73721 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 73721
- Insurance Median: $223
- Cash Discount Price: $792
- 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $207 - $527 | 85% |
| Aetna | $207 - $809 | 85% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $223 - $1,044 | 91% |
| Cigna | $549 | 225% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI procedure of a knee or other leg joint at Kansas Surgery & Recovery Center in Wichita, KS, the cash price is $792.00, which is nearly identical to the cash median of $792.00 reported for this service. While the facility's negotiated rates with major payers like Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, and UnitedHealthcare range from $207 to $1,044, these amounts are often higher than the cash price due to administrative costs and contract structures. Patients with high-deductible plans may find paying the cash price directly more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the negotiated rates can sometimes exceed the cash amount. It is important to verify your specific plan's deductible status before scheduling, as paying out-of-pocket might result in lower total costs if your insurance would otherwise cover a higher negotiated rate.
To ensure you are not overcharged, you should request an itemized billing audit before finalizing payment, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as unbundled codes or services not rendered. Additionally, ask the facility about "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the bill by 20% to 50% if paid in full upfront, bypassing the costly insurance claims process. When evaluating the facility's pricing, compare the rates to the Medicare benchmark of $243.77 for this code; commercial rates often average 200% to 300% of this baseline, so the $792.00 cash price represents a significant markup over the federal cost basis. Always dispute any balance bills immediately if you receive them, as the No Surprises Act protects you from