MRI, knee or other leg joint
Facility: F W Huston Medical Center
Billing Code: 73721 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 73721
- Insurance Median: $1,451
- Cash Discount Price: $1,507
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 5.95x 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.
Elevated Commercial Rate Alert (Value-Gap)
The negotiated rate at this facility is 595% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 495%). 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% |
| Aetna | $1,413 | 580% |
| Humana | $1,488 | 610% |
| Cigna | $1,601 | 657% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI of a knee or other leg joint at F W Huston Medical Center in Winchester, KS, the facility's cash price of $1,507 is lower than the median negotiated rates paid by major insurers like Aetna ($1,413) and Cigna ($1,601). This suggests that patients with high-deductible plans might save money by paying cash directly, provided they confirm the facility accepts their specific insurance plan. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital with a voluntary non-profit ownership, the cash rate is notably higher than the Medicare benchmark of $243.77, indicating a significant markup relative to the federal cost baseline.
To minimize unexpected costs, patients should explicitly ask about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as these upfront fee reductions can further lower the final bill. It is also important to request a detailed, itemized billing audit rather than accepting a summary invoice, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as unbundled codes or charges for services not rendered. Finally, if a balance bill arises from an out-of-network provider, patients should not pay immediately out of fear; instead, they should dispute the charge with their insurer and request a No Surprises Act audit to protect against surprise billing.