MRI, lower back (no contrast)
Facility: Kansas Medical Center Llc
Billing Code: 72148 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 72148
- Insurance Median: $220
- Cash Discount Price: $710
- 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Medicaid / KanCare | $131 | 54% |
| Indian Health | $198 | 81% |
| Tricare | $198 | 81% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $220 | 90% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $220 - $503 | 90% |
| Medadv_Wellcare | $220 | 90% |
| Humana | $220 | 90% |
| Three_Rivers | $440 | 180% |
| Wppa | $473 | 194% |
| United | $850 | 349% |
| Aetna | $900 | 369% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI, lower back (no contrast) procedure at Kansas Medical Center Llc in Andover, KS, the cash price of $710.00 is notably lower than the median negotiated rate of $220.00 paid by most commercial payers, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Humana, and Aetna. While the facility's cash rate is higher than the state average for this service, patients with high-deductible plans or those without insurance may find paying out-of-pocket directly more cost-effective than relying on insurance, which often results in higher allowed amounts due to administrative overhead and contract structures. It is important to note that while the cash price exceeds the Medicare benchmark of $243.77, commercial negotiated rates frequently sit between 200% and 300% of this baseline, making direct payment a strategic option for self-pay patients.
Patients should proactively request a "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discount before scheduling, as these upfront fee reductions can significantly lower the final bill by bypassing costly insurance claims processing and administrative labor. If you choose to use insurance, be aware that balance billing is generally prohibited for emergency care and non-emergency services at in-network facilities under the No Surprises Act, though unexpected charges can still occur from out-of-network ancillary services like certain lab tests or emergency physicians. To ensure accuracy and avoid errors, always demand a full itemized CPT-coded bill rather than accepting a summary invoice, and dispute any discrepancies in writing to protect your financial interests.