MRI, lower back (no contrast)
Facility: Rawlins County Health Center
Billing Code: 72148 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 72148
- Insurance Median: $1,601
- Cash Discount Price: $1,564
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 6.57x 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 657% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 557%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $526 | 216% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $1,601 | 657% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI of the lower back (no contrast) at Rawlins County Health Center in Atwood, Kansas, the cash median price is $1,564.00, which is lower than the facility's negotiated rate of $1,601.00. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital with a voluntary non-profit ownership structure, patients should be aware that commercial insurance rates often exceed cash prices due to administrative overhead and contract dynamics. If you have a high-deductible plan, paying the cash price directly might result in lower out-of-pocket costs compared to your insurance's negotiated rate, provided you can afford the upfront payment. It is advisable to contact the hospital directly to confirm if "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts are available, as these incentives can further reduce the final amount owed.
This service is benchmarked against federal standards, where the Medicare amount is $243.77. The facility's cash rate is approximately 6.6 times higher than the Medicare benchmark, which is consistent with commercial pricing structures that include physician work, practice expenses, and malpractice insurance. Although the data does not provide specific state or county average comparisons for this procedure, the significant difference between the Medicare baseline and the cash price highlights the importance of understanding your plan's deductible status before scheduling. To avoid unexpected costs, patients should request an itemized bill if they choose to use insurance, ensuring that no unbundled codes or services not rendered are included in the final charge.