MRI, knee or other leg joint
Facility: Jewell County Hospital
Billing Code: 73721 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 73721
- Insurance Median: $1,425
- Cash Discount Price: $1,125
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 5.85x 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 585% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 485%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Carriers - All Plans | $1,275 | 523% |
| Aetna | $1,350 | 554% |
| Meritain - All Plans | $1,350 | 554% |
| First Health - All Plans | $1,425 | 585% |
| Midlands Choice - All Plans | $1,425 | 585% |
| Cigna | $1,425 | 585% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $1,425 | 585% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI procedure of the knee or other leg joint at Jewell County Hospital in Mankato, KS, the facility's cash price of $1,125 is lower than the average negotiated rate of $1,425 paid by most major insurers, including Aetna, Cigna, and UnitedHealthcare. While commercial contracts often result in higher allowed amounts due to administrative costs and network tiering, patients with high-deductible plans may find paying the cash price directly more affordable if their insurance deductible has not yet been met. It is important to note that this facility is a Critical Access Hospital with government-local ownership, and while the data shows a single cash rate, patients should always ask the billing department about additional "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts that could further reduce the final amount owed.
The Medicare benchmark for this service is $243.77, which serves as a scientifically validated baseline for the true cost of care, significantly lower than both the cash and negotiated rates. Commercial rates frequently exceed Medicare benchmarks by a wide margin, reflecting the multi-layered administrative structures inherent in insurance billing. To avoid unexpected costs, consumers should request a full itemized bill before paying, as summary invoices can obscure individual charges or double-billing errors. If a balance bill arises from an out-of-network service at an in-network facility, the No Surprises Act may protect you from paying the difference, so it is advisable to dispute any surprise charges in writing rather than accepting them immediately.