MRI, knee or other leg joint
Facility: Saint Luke'S South Hospital
Billing Code: 73721 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 73721
- Insurance Median: $2,811
- Cash Discount Price: $4,685
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 11.53x 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 1153% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 1053%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Medicaid / KanCare | $131 - $309 | 54% |
| Humana | $151 - $247 | 62% |
| Aetna | $217 - $8,902 | 89% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $242 - $1,782 | 99% |
| Cigna | $263 - $7,113 | 108% |
| Transplants-Case Rates [5750] | $302 - $9,371 | 124% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $514 - $7,038 | 211% |
| Commercial-Contracted [8000] | $1,439 - $7,581 | 590% |
| First Health [5512] | $3,703 - $5,555 | 1519% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this MRI procedure on the knee or other leg joint at Saint Luke's South Hospital in Overland Park, Kansas, the cash median price is $4,685, which is significantly lower than the facility's gross charge of $7,809. While the hospital's negotiated rates with major payers like Aetna and Blue Cross Blue Shield range from $131 to $9,371, the cash price offers a distinct advantage for patients with high-deductible plans or those without insurance, as it bypasses the administrative overhead and markup inherent in commercial billing. It is important to note that while the cash rate is lower than the facility's gross, it remains higher than the Medicare benchmark of $243.77, which serves as the federal baseline for the true cost of this service.
Patients should be aware that insurance companies often pay negotiated rates that can exceed the cash price due to administrative costs and contract dynamics, meaning paying out-of-pocket might result in a lower total cost depending on your specific plan. The facility offers a prompt-pay discount for those who settle their bill upfront, which can further reduce the $4,685 cash median. If you receive a bill from an out-of-network provider or encounter unexpected charges, you have the right to dispute balance billing under the No Surprises Act, and you should always request a full itemized audit before signing any consent waivers that might waive your protections.