MRI, lower back (no contrast)
Facility: F W Huston Medical Center
Billing Code: 72148 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 72148
- Insurance Median: $2,002
- Cash Discount Price: $2,080
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 8.21x 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 821% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 721%). 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 | $1,950 | 800% |
| Humana | $2,054 | 843% |
| Cigna | $2,210 | 907% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI, lower back (no contrast) procedure at F W Huston Medical Center in Winchester, KS, the facility's cash median price of $2,080 is notably higher than the state average, which sits at $1,950. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital with a voluntary non-profit ownership structure, patients should be aware that commercial insurance negotiated rates for this service range from $1,950 to $2,210 depending on the payer, with Aetna and Humana matching the state average and Cigna exceeding it. It is important to note that for patients with high-deductible plans, paying the cash price directly can sometimes be more cost-effective than using insurance, as the negotiated rates often exceed the cash price due to administrative overhead and contract dynamics.
To maximize savings, patients should proactively ask the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50% if paid upfront, bypassing the costly insurance claims process. Since the facility is in-network for all four major payers listed, balance billing is unlikely for the primary service under the No Surprises Act, but patients must still verify their specific deductible status before scheduling to avoid unexpected out-of-pocket costs. If a bill is received, consumers are advised to request a full itemized audit rather than accepting a summary invoice, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors that can be corrected through a formal written dispute.