MRI, knee or other leg joint
Facility: Osborne County Memorial Hospital
Billing Code: 73721 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 73721
- Insurance Median: $1,279
- Cash Discount Price: $1,203
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 5.25x 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 525% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 425%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| UnitedHealthcare | $1,037 - $1,115 | 425% |
| Health Partners Of Kansas | $1,173 - $1,262 | 481% |
| Wppa | $1,296 - $1,394 | 532% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $1,337 - $1,438 | 548% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI of a knee or other leg joint at Osborne County Memorial Hospital in Osborne, KS, the facility's cash median price is $1,203.00, which is notably lower than the negotiated rates paid by major payers such as UnitedHealthcare ($1,037–$1,115) and Health Partners Of Kansas ($1,173–$1,262). While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital with government-local ownership, patients should be aware that commercial insurance contracts often result in higher out-of-pocket costs than self-pay options. If you have a high-deductible plan, paying the cash price upfront may be more financially advantageous than relying on insurance, especially since the negotiated rates exceed the cash median. To maximize savings, you should explicitly request a "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discount before scheduling, as these upfront payment incentives can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50% by bypassing administrative claim processing fees.
The facility's pricing is also evaluated against federal benchmarks; the Medicare amount for this procedure is $243.77, and the commercial cash rate is 5.2 times higher than this federal baseline. This significant markup highlights the difference between the government's cost-based reimbursement and commercial pricing structures. Because the facility is located in a Critical Access Hospital setting, it may offer more favorable rates than typical urban facilities, but it is essential to verify your specific plan's allowed amount before treatment. If you are billed after an insurance claim, ensure you receive an itemized statement to identify any errors or unbundled charges, as over 80% of hospital bills contain discrepancies. Always confirm whether your specific