MRI, lower back (no contrast)
Facility: Kansas Spine & Specialty Hospital, Llc
Billing Code: 72148 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 72148
- Insurance Median: $219
- Cash Discount Price: $1,960
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.90x 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Humana | $214 | 88% |
| United Mine Workers Of America | $219 | 90% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $219 - $265 | 90% |
| Aetna | $219 - $273 | 90% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $219 - $531 | 90% |
| Providrs Care Network | $219 | 90% |
| Lantern Specialty Care | $350 | 144% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI, lower back (no contrast) procedure at Kansas Spine & Specialty Hospital, Llc, the cash median price is $1,960, which is significantly lower than the facility's gross charge of $3,016. While the hospital's negotiated rates with major payers like UnitedHealthcare and Aetna range from $219 to $273, these amounts are often higher than the cash price, meaning patients with high-deductible plans might save money by paying out-of-pocket. It is important to note that the facility is an Acute Care Hospital in Wichita, KS, and while specific county or state average data was not provided in this report, patients should always verify if their insurance plan's negotiated rate exceeds the cash price before scheduling. Additionally, patients should explicitly ask the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can further reduce the final bill if paid in full upfront.
Regarding billing protections, patients should be aware that the No Surprises Act generally prevents balance billing for out-of-network services at in-network facilities, though unexpected ancillary charges can still occur. If a patient receives an itemized bill, they should request a full line-by-line audit to identify errors, unbundled codes, or services not rendered, as over 80% of hospital bills contain mistakes. Furthermore, when comparing costs, patients should ignore the hospital's gross chargemaster list and instead compare the final negotiated or cash rate to the Medicare amount of $243.77, which serves as a scientifically validated benchmark for the true cost of care. Finally, if a patient disputes a bill, they must send a formal written audit request via certified mail rather