MRI, lower back (no contrast)
Facility: Lindsborg Community Hospital
Billing Code: 72148 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 72148
- Insurance Median: $964
- Cash Discount Price: $1,850
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 3.95x 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 395% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 295%). 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 | $477 - $2,007 | 196% |
| Coventry Mcr Adv | $482 - $2,027 | 198% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $521 | 214% |
| Cigna | $863 - $3,629 | 354% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $914 - $3,843 | 375% |
| Coventry Comm-All Other Plans | $914 - $3,843 | 375% |
| Multiplan-All Plans | $944 - $3,971 | 387% |
| Phcs Preferred-All Plans | $944 - $3,971 | 387% |
| Wppa-All Plans | $964 - $4,056 | 395% |
| Century Health-All Plans | $964 - $4,056 | 395% |
| Coventry Wc | $964 - $4,056 | 395% |
| Health Partners -All Plans | $964 - $4,056 | 395% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI, lower back (no contrast) procedure at Lindsborg Community Hospital in Lindsborg, KS, the cash median price is $1,850, while the median negotiated rate across 12 payers is $964. This facility, a Critical Access Hospital, charges significantly less than the gross chargemaster of $2,642, with negotiated rates ranging from a low of $477 for Tricare to a high of $4,056 for several commercial plans. Notably, the cash price of $1,850 is lower than the median negotiated rate of $964 for many commercial insurers, meaning patients with high-deductible plans or those who have not yet met their out-of-pocket maximum may save money by paying cash directly rather than relying on insurance, provided they qualify for the cash rate.
To ensure you are not overcharged, it is essential to request an itemized billing audit before finalizing payment, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as double-billing or unbundled codes. Additionally, if you are receiving care from an out-of-network provider, the No Surprises Act protects you from balance billing for emergency services and non-emergency services at in-network facilities, so you should dispute any surprise bills immediately rather than paying them out of fear of credit damage. Finally, always inquire about prompt-pay discounts upfront; hospitals often offer significant fee reductions for patients who pay in full within 30 days, bypassing the administrative costs associated with insurance claims processing.