MRI, knee or other leg joint
Facility: Fredonia Regional Hospital
Billing Code: 73721 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 73721
- Insurance Median: $723
- Cash Discount Price: $803
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 2.97x 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 297% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 197%). 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 | $397 - $553 | 163% |
| Aetna | $410 - $723 | 168% |
| Veterans Programs - All Plans | $410 | 168% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $410 - $723 | 168% |
| Reserve National-All Plans | $723 | 297% |
| Cigna | $723 | 297% |
| Meritain-All Plans | $723 | 297% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI of the knee or other leg joint (CPT 73721) at Fredonia Regional Hospital in Fredonia, KS, the cash median price is $803.00, which matches the facility's gross charge. This cash rate is significantly higher than the state average for this procedure, which is $243.77 (Medicare amount). While commercial insurance plans like Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, and UnitedHealthcare negotiate rates ranging from $410 to $723, these negotiated amounts often exceed the cash price. Patients with high-deductible plans may find paying the cash price of $803.00 directly more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the insurer's allowed amount could be higher than the cash rate. It is always advisable to contact the hospital directly to inquire about self-pay or prompt-pay discounts, which can further reduce the final bill.
The facility is a Critical Access Hospital with government-local ownership, and the data reflects a vintage of June 2026. While the facility does not have a published rating, the pricing structure highlights the importance of understanding balance billing and itemized audits. If you receive a bill from an out-of-network provider or encounter unexpected charges, you have the right to dispute the amount under the No Surprises Act and request a formal itemized audit to identify errors or unbundled codes. Since over 80% of hospital bills contain errors, requesting a detailed line-by-line statement before paying is essential to avoid overpaying. Always verify your deductible status and ensure you are comparing rates against the Medicare benchmark rather than the inflated chargemaster list to get an accurate picture of fair pricing