MRI, knee or other leg joint
Facility: Stanton County Hospital
Billing Code: 73721 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 73721
- Insurance Median: $1,247
- Cash Discount Price: $1,680
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 5.12x 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 512% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 412%). 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 | $525 - $1,996 | 215% |
| Healthy Blue Mcr Adv - All Other Plans | $1,235 - $2,058 | 507% |
| Healthy Blue Mcaid | $1,260 - $2,100 | 517% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI of a knee or other leg joint at Stanton County Hospital in Johnson, KS, the cash price is $1,680, which matches the facility's median negotiated rate. This specific service is priced significantly higher than the state average, reflecting a markup of 5.1 times the Medicare benchmark rate of $243.77. While commercial insurance plans like Blue Cross Blue Shield and Healthy Blue Mcr Adv have negotiated rates ranging from $1,235 to $2,100, these figures often exceed the cash price due to administrative overhead and contract structures. Patients with high-deductible plans may find paying the $1,680 cash price more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the negotiated allowed amount could be higher than the out-of-pocket cash cost.
To potentially lower your bill, it is advisable to contact the hospital directly to inquire about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the total cost by 20% to 50% if paid in full upfront. Additionally, since over 80% of hospital bills contain errors, you should request a detailed, itemized statement before paying to ensure no services were double-billed or unbundled. If you receive a balance bill for services rendered at this in-network facility, you may be protected under the No Surprises Act, which prohibits billing for out-of-network providers at this location. Always verify your deductible status and ask for a waiver of automatic insurance submission if you choose to pay cash to avoid unexpected charges.