MRI, knee or other leg joint
Facility: Medicine Lodge Memorial Hospital
Billing Code: 73721 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 73721
- Insurance Median: $647
- Cash Discount Price: $687
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 2.65x 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 265% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 165%). 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 | $518 - $583 | 212% |
| Humana | $589 - $662 | 242% |
| Aetna | $598 - $727 | 245% |
| Hpk-All Plans | $615 - $691 | 252% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $615 - $691 | 252% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $647 - $727 | 265% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI procedure of the knee or other leg joint at Medicine Lodge Memorial Hospital in Medicine Lodge, Kansas, the cash price is $687.00, which matches the facility's median paid amount. This cash rate is significantly higher than the state average for this service, as indicated by the 2.7x multiplier relative to the Medicare benchmark of $243.77. While commercial insurance plans like Tricare, Humana, and Aetna negotiate rates ranging from $518 to $727, these negotiated amounts often exceed the cash price. Patients with high-deductible plans or those without immediate insurance coverage may find paying the cash rate directly more cost-effective than relying on insurance, which could result in higher out-of-pocket costs if the negotiated allowed amount surpasses the cash price.
To minimize potential financial surprises, patients should proactively ask the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the bill by 20% to 50% for upfront payment. It is also important to request a full itemized bill before finalizing payment, as summary invoices often obscure individual charges and may include unbundled codes or services not rendered. Under federal protections like the No Surprises Act, patients are generally shielded from balance billing for emergency care or non-emergency services at in-network facilities, though disputes regarding unexpected charges should be handled in writing to ensure rights are preserved.