MRI, lower back (no contrast)
Facility: Ellinwood District Hospital
Billing Code: 72148 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 72148
- Insurance Median: $476
- Cash Discount Price: $578
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.95x 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $476 | 195% |
| Humana | $476 | 195% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $476 | 195% |
| Cigna | $476 | 195% |
| Aetna | $476 | 195% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI of the lower back (no contrast) at Ellinwood District Hospital in Ellinwood, KS, the facility's cash median price is $578.00, which is higher than the state average of $476.00. While commercial insurance payers like Blue Cross Blue Shield, Humana, UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, and Aetna have a consistent negotiated rate of $476.00, patients should consider that cash payments may not always be the most economical option. Because insurance negotiated rates often include administrative overhead and contract dynamics that can inflate the baseline price by 20% to 40%, it is worth verifying if your specific plan's deductible status allows you to access this lower rate without surprise costs.
The facility, a Critical Access Hospital owned by a government hospital district, bills Medicare at a rate of $243.77, which serves as the objective baseline for evaluating pricing markups. The commercial negotiated rate of $476.00 is approximately 2.0 times the Medicare amount, reflecting the typical markup seen in commercial contracts. To minimize costs, patients should explicitly ask the billing department about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as these upfront payment incentives can bypass the costly insurance claims cycle. Additionally, since over 80% of hospital bills contain errors, requesting a full itemized CPT-coded statement is essential to identify any unbundled codes or services not rendered before finalizing payment.