MRI, lower back (no contrast)
Facility: Kearny County Hospital
Billing Code: 72148 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 72148
- Insurance Median: $1,424
- Cash Discount Price: Unavailable
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 5.84x 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 584% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 484%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Humana | $1,424 | 584% |
| Wps Gha - Mac J5 Part A | $1,424 | 584% |
| Kansas Solutions | $1,424 | 584% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $1,424 | 584% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $1,424 | 584% |
| Community Care Health Plan Of | $1,424 | 584% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI, lower back (no contrast) procedure at Kearny County Hospital in Lakin, KS, the facility's negotiated rate is $1,424, which matches the highest and lowest amounts reported across all six payers, including Humana, UnitedHealthcare, and Blue Cross Blue Shield. This rate is significantly higher than the state average, reflecting the facility's status as a Critical Access Hospital with local government ownership. While the Medicare benchmark for this service is $243.77, the negotiated rate represents a substantial markup, illustrating that commercial insurance contracts often exceed the federal baseline. Patients should be aware that while in-network coverage caps charges at this negotiated rate, the actual amount paid by the insurer may vary based on individual plan deductibles and copays.
It is important to note that the cash median price for this service is not available in the current data, so patients cannot directly compare a self-pay rate to the insurance negotiated amount. However, if a patient has a high-deductible plan or no insurance, they should contact the hospital directly to inquire about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the final cost by 20% to 50%. Additionally, if a patient receives care from an out-of-network provider at this in-network facility, they may be subject to balance billing for the difference between the negotiated rate and what their insurer allows, though the No Surprises Act provides protections for emergency and non-emergency services. To avoid unexpected costs, patients should request a full itemized bill before payment and verify that all services rendered are accurately coded to prevent overcharging.