MRI, lower back (no contrast)
Facility: Cloud County Health Center
Billing Code: 72148 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 72148
- Insurance Median: $2,403
- Cash Discount Price: $1,850
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 9.86x 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 986% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 886%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Aetna | $914 - $3,971 | 375% |
| Health Partners - All Plans | $964 - $4,056 | 395% |
| Mpi-All Plans | $964 - $4,056 | 395% |
| Pponext-All Plans | $964 - $4,056 | 395% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI of the lower back (no contrast) at Cloud County Health Center in Concordia, KS, the facility's cash payment median of $1,850 is lower than the state average of $2,403. While commercial insurance plans like Aetna, Health Partners, Mpi-All Plans, and Pponext-All Plans have negotiated rates ranging from $914 to $4,056, patients with high-deductible plans may find paying cash upfront more cost-effective if their insurance allowed amount exceeds the cash price. It is important to note that commercial negotiated rates often include administrative overhead and can be significantly higher than the cash price, so verifying your specific plan's allowed amount before scheduling is essential to avoid unexpected costs.
This procedure's Medicare benchmark amount is $243.77, which serves as the objective baseline for evaluating the facility's pricing markup. The facility's cash rate of $1,850 represents a 9.9% increase over the Medicare amount, aligning with typical commercial pricing structures that range from 200% to 300% of Medicare rates. To maximize savings, patients should inquire directly with the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce bills by 20% to 50% when paid in full within 30 days. Additionally, if you receive an itemized bill, request a full line-by-line audit to identify any errors, unbundled codes, or services not rendered, as over 80% of hospital bills contain discrepancies that can be corrected to lower your final balance.