MRI, knee or other leg joint
Facility: Kansas City Orthopaedic Institute
Billing Code: 73721 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 73721
- Insurance Median: $675
- Cash Discount Price: Unavailable
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 2.77x 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 277% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 177%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Aetna | $217 | 89% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $217 - $1,390 | 89% |
| Cigna | $227 - $813 | 93% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $675 - $1,040 | 277% |
| Medica | $1,190 | 488% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI of a knee or other leg joint performed at Kansas City Orthopaedic Institute in Leawood, KS, the facility's negotiated rates range from $217 to $1,390 depending on the insurance carrier. While the median negotiated rate across payers is $675, this figure is significantly higher than the Medicare benchmark of $243.77, reflecting the typical administrative markup and contract dynamics inherent in commercial insurance. It is important to note that for patients with high-deductible plans, paying the cash price directly could sometimes result in lower out-of-pocket costs if the insurance negotiated rate exceeds the cash price, though cash rates were not reported for this specific service.
Patients should be aware that in-network status does not guarantee the lowest possible price, as different insurers negotiate different maximum rates for the same procedure. To minimize costs, it is advisable to contact the hospital directly to inquire about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can offer substantial fee reductions for upfront payment. Additionally, since over 80% of hospital bills often contain errors, consumers should request a detailed, itemized statement before finalizing payment to ensure no unbundled codes or services not rendered are included in the final invoice.