MRI, knee or other leg joint
Facility: Scott County Hospital
Billing Code: 73721 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 73721
- Insurance Median: $1,200
- Cash Discount Price: Unavailable
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 4.92x 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 492% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 392%). 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 | $131 - $1,752 | 54% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $553 | 227% |
| Humana | $774 | 318% |
| Wppa | $1,106 - $1,200 | 454% |
| Aetna | $1,660 | 681% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI of a knee or other leg joint at Scott County Hospital in Scott City, KS, the facility's negotiated rates range from $131 to $1,752 depending on the insurance plan, with a median negotiated amount of $1,200. This commercial rate is significantly higher than the Medicare benchmark of $243.77, reflecting the administrative costs and contract structures inherent in private insurance billing. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by a voluntary non-profit, patients should be aware that their specific insurance plan's allowed amount varies widely, with UnitedHealthcare plans showing a low end of $131 and Aetna plans at $1,660.
To potentially lower out-of-pocket costs, patients should inquire about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as paying in full upfront can often bypass the higher insurance negotiated rates. It is important to request a waiver of insurance submission to ensure the hospital applies the cash price rather than submitting a claim that would trigger the standard billing cycle. Additionally, since over 80% of hospital bills contain errors, patients should always request a detailed, itemized CPT-coded bill rather than accepting a summary invoice, which may hide unbundled charges or services not rendered.