MRI, knee or other leg joint
Facility: Kiowa County Memorial Hospital
Billing Code: 73721 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 73721
- Insurance Median: $1,202
- Cash Discount Price: $1,063
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 4.93x 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 493% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 393%). 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 - $1,335 | 216% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $801 - $1,500 | 329% |
| Health Partners Of Ks-All Plans | $880 - $1,320 | 361% |
| Celtic Comml Exchange-All Other Plans | $890 - $1,335 | 365% |
| Aetna | $890 - $1,335 | 365% |
| Medica Prime Mcare Cost-All Plans | $890 - $1,335 | 365% |
| Humana | $890 - $1,335 | 365% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $1,000 - $1,500 | 410% |
| Providrs Care/Wppa-All Plans | $1,500 - $2,250 | 615% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI of the knee or other leg joint (CPT 73721) at Kiowa County Memorial Hospital in Greensburg, Kansas, the facility's cash median price is $1,063, which is notably higher than the state average of $890. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government, patients should be aware that commercial insurance negotiated rates often exceed cash prices due to administrative overhead and contract structures. For instance, UnitedHealthcare's negotiated range spans from $801 to $1,500, and Medicaid/KanCare ranges from $1,000 to $1,500, meaning the cash price of $1,063 could actually be the most affordable option for individuals with high-deductible plans who have not yet met their out-of-pocket limits.
To secure the best possible rate, patients should proactively ask the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as these upfront payment incentives can bypass costly insurance billing cycles and administrative fees. It is also important to note that while Medicare sets a benchmark of $243.77 for this procedure, commercial rates are significantly higher; however, the facility's negotiated rates generally align closer to the state average than the gross chargemaster price of $1,250. Consumers should verify their specific plan's allowed amount and request a full itemized bill to ensure no errors exist, as over 80% of hospital bills contain discrepancies that can be resolved through a formal written audit.