MRI, knee or other leg joint
Facility: Kiowa District Hospital
Billing Code: 73721 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 73721
- Insurance Median: $898
- Cash Discount Price: $760
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 3.68x 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 368% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 268%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Tricare | $370 | 152% |
| Healthchoice-All Plans | $466 | 191% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $521 | 214% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $760 - $950 | 312% |
| Health Partners Of Ks-All Plans | $836 | 343% |
| Humana | $857 | 352% |
| Gbs Insurance - All Plans | $893 | 366% |
| Multiplan-All Plans | $893 | 366% |
| Medicare (plans) | $902 | 370% |
| Triwest-All Plans | $902 | 370% |
| Aetna | $902 | 370% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $950 | 390% |
| Providers Care (Wppa)-All Plans | $1,425 | 585% |
| Liberty Healthshare-All Plans | $1,534 | 629% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI of a knee or other leg joint at Kiowa District Hospital in Kiowa, KS, the cash price is $760, which is lower than the facility's negotiated rates with most major payers. While the hospital is a Critical Access Hospital owned by the Government - Hospital District or Authority, patients should be aware that insurance negotiated rates often exceed cash prices due to administrative costs and contract structures. For instance, UnitedHealthcare's range spans from $760 to $950, and Medicaid/KanCare is set at $950, meaning paying cash upfront could result in immediate savings compared to standard insurance billing. It is advisable to contact the hospital directly to confirm if "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts are available before scheduling, as these incentives can further reduce the final amount owed.
The facility's pricing is significantly higher than the Medicare benchmark of $243.77, which serves as the objective baseline for healthcare costs in this region. Although the data does not provide specific state or county average comparisons for this procedure, the substantial markup from the Medicare rate highlights the importance of understanding commercial pricing dynamics. Patients should avoid accepting summary bills and instead request a detailed, itemized CPT-coded statement to identify any errors or unbundled charges, as over 80% of hospital bills contain inaccuracies. If a balance bill arises from out-of-network services, the No Surprises Act may protect patients from paying the difference between the negotiated rate and the full chargemaster, so disputing unexpected bills with the insurer is a critical step to prevent financial harm.