MRI, lower back (no contrast)
Facility: Lincoln County Hospital
Billing Code: 72148 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 72148
- Insurance Median: $553
- Cash Discount Price: $954
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 2.27x 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 227% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 127%). 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 | $553 | 227% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI of the lower back (no contrast) at Lincoln County Hospital in Lincoln, KS, the cash median price is $954.00, which is lower than the facility's negotiated rate of $553.00. This specific procedure is priced at 2.3 times the Medicare amount of $243.77. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government, patients should be aware that cash-pay options can sometimes be more cost-effective than insurance claims if the negotiated rate exceeds the cash price. Since this facility has only one payer, Blue Cross Blue Shield, with a single plan, patients should verify their specific deductible status before scheduling to ensure they are not facing unexpected out-of-pocket costs.
To avoid potential billing errors, consumers should request a full itemized bill that lists every CPT code and unit cost rather than accepting a summary invoice that obscures individual charges. If a discrepancy arises, a formal written audit dispute sent to the billing supervisor is more effective than verbal agreements. Additionally, patients should inquire about prompt-pay discounts, which can reduce the total cost by 20% to 50% if paid in full upfront, as these discounts bypass the administrative overhead associated with insurance claims processing.