MRI, lower back (no contrast)
Facility: Wilson Medical Center
Billing Code: 72148 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 72148
- Insurance Median: $824
- Cash Discount Price: $773
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 3.38x 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 338% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 238%). 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 | $521 - $1,030 | 214% |
| Aetna | $546 - $1,030 | 224% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $546 - $958 | 224% |
| Tricare | $546 | 224% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $546 - $1,030 | 224% |
| Humana | $546 | 224% |
| Cigna | $824 | 338% |
| Mulitplan-All Plans | $948 | 389% |
| Health Partners-All Plans | $948 | 389% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI of the lower back (no contrast) at Wilson Medical Center in Neodesha, KS, the facility's cash median price is $773, which is significantly lower than the state average of $1,030. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital with government ownership, patients should note that commercial insurance negotiated rates often exceed cash prices due to administrative costs and contract structures. For instance, the median negotiated rate across payers is $824, and the highest negotiated rate listed is $1,030. If you have a high-deductible plan where your deductible has not yet been met, paying the cash price of $773 upfront could save you money compared to the insurance negotiated rate, provided you confirm with the hospital that they will not submit a claim to your insurer.
To maximize savings, it is essential to ask the billing department about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling your appointment, as these can reduce the final cost by 20% to 50%. Additionally, while the Medicare benchmark for this service is $243.77, commercial rates are often higher due to the inclusion of practice expenses and malpractice insurance; however, the cash price of $773 remains well below the gross chargemaster of $1,030. Always request a full itemized bill containing specific CPT codes before paying, as summary bills may hide unbundled charges or services not rendered, and ensure you do not sign any waivers that could inadvertently allow for balance billing.