MRI, lower back (no contrast)
Facility: Scott County Hospital
Billing Code: 72148 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 72148
- 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 the lower back (no contrast) at Scott County Hospital in Scott City, KS, the facility's negotiated rates range from $131 to $1,752 depending on the insurance carrier, with a median negotiated amount of $1,200. This commercial rate is significantly higher than the Medicare benchmark of $243.77, reflecting the typical administrative markup and contract dynamics between insurers and providers. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital with a voluntary non-profit ownership structure, patients should be aware that cash-pay options are not listed in this report; however, asking for a "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discount before scheduling can sometimes result in a lower out-of-pocket cost, especially if your insurance deductible is high and the negotiated rate exceeds the cash price.
It is important to understand that the wide variation in allowed amounts across different payers, such as UnitedHealthcare's range of $131 to $1,752, stems from individual plan contracts rather than a single standard price. If you receive a bill that exceeds the allowed amount for your specific plan, it may be due to balance billing practices, though the No Surprises Act currently protects you from such charges for emergency care and non-emergency services at in-network facilities. To ensure you are not overcharged, always request a full itemized bill before paying, as summary invoices often hide unbundled codes or services not rendered. Disputing any discrepancies in writing to the billing supervisor is the most effective way to verify that the charges align with your plan's negotiated limits and federal protections.