MRI, knee or other leg joint
Facility: Via Christi Hospital Wichita St Teresa, Inc
Billing Code: 73721 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 73721
- Insurance Median: $226
- Cash Discount Price: Unavailable
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.93x 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Vc Hope | $224 | 92% |
| Humana | $224 | 92% |
| Saint Lukes Health Systems | $224 | 92% |
| Via Christi Research | $224 | 92% |
| Va | $224 | 92% |
| Medicare (plans) | $224 - $228 | 92% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $228 - $626 | 94% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $228 | 94% |
| Corizon | $279 | 114% |
| Smarthealth | $313 | 128% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $380 | 156% |
| Cigna | $467 | 192% |
| Aetna | $622 | 255% |
| Coventry City Of Wichita | $947 | 388% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI of a knee or other leg joint (CPT 73721) at Via Christi Hospital Wichita St Teresa, Inc, the negotiated rates across 14 payers range from $224 to $947, with a median negotiated amount of $226.00. While the facility is a voluntary non-profit church-owned acute care hospital in Wichita, KS, the data does not provide specific cash or state/county average figures for this procedure, so direct comparisons to regional pricing benchmarks are not available in this report. However, the Medicare allowed amount of $243.77 serves as a reliable baseline for evaluating commercial pricing, noting that many commercial rates in this dataset exceed the Medicare benchmark, which is often used to determine fair market value rather than the inflated hospital chargemaster list.
Patients should be aware that while insurance negotiated rates can offer protection against surprise balance billing for in-network care, they are frequently higher than self-pay prices due to administrative costs and contract structures. If you have a high-deductible plan or no insurance, it may be financially advantageous to pay cash directly, as the facility likely offers prompt-pay discounts that could reduce the cost significantly compared to the insurance allowed amounts. To secure the best possible rate, we recommend contacting the hospital's billing department before your appointment to request a self-pay classification and inquire about any prompt-pay incentives, ensuring you avoid unnecessary administrative fees associated with insurance claims processing.