MRI, lower back (no contrast)
Facility: Republic County Hospital
Billing Code: 72148 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 72148
- Insurance Median: $1,656
- Cash Discount Price: $1,350
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 6.79x 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 679% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 579%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Carriers-All Plans | $1,530 | 628% |
| Aetna | $1,620 | 665% |
| Meritain-All Plans | $1,620 | 665% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $1,656 | 679% |
| Cigna | $1,710 | 701% |
| First Health-All Plans | $1,710 | 701% |
| Midlands Choice-All Plans | $1,710 | 701% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI of the lower back (no contrast) at Republic County Hospital in Belleville, Kansas, the facility's negotiated rates range from $1,530 to $1,710 depending on the insurance carrier. This price point is notably higher than the cash price of $1,350, which may offer significant savings for patients with high-deductible plans who can pay upfront. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital with a voluntary non-profit ownership structure, the negotiated rates reflect standard administrative costs and contract dynamics where insurance payers like Aetna and UnitedHealthcare pay $1,620 and $1,656 respectively. Patients should verify their specific plan's allowed amount before scheduling, as in-network status does not guarantee the lowest possible price, and many facilities offer prompt-pay discounts of 20% to 50% for those who settle the bill immediately.
When evaluating the cost of this service, it is important to compare the facility's rates against the Medicare benchmark rather than the hospital's full chargemaster list. The Medicare amount for this procedure is $243.77, and the facility's negotiated rates average approximately 6.8 times the Medicare amount, which aligns with typical commercial pricing structures. Although the data does not provide specific county or state average comparisons for this exact procedure, the facility's location in ZIP code 66935 and its status as a Critical Access Hospital suggest that pricing may be influenced by regional wage indexes and cost reports used to calculate these benchmarks. To ensure you are not overcharged, request a detailed itemized bill to review every code and service, and do not accept summary invoices that obscure individual charges.