MRI, lower back (no contrast)
Facility: Mitchell County Hospital Health Systems
Billing Code: 72148 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 72148
- Insurance Median: $2,541
- Cash Discount Price: $2,408
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 10.42x 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 1042% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 942%). 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 | $244 - $2,675 | 100% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $526 | 216% |
| Triwest Well Mark All Plans | $2,274 | 933% |
| First Health-All Plans | $2,408 | 988% |
| Aetna | $2,408 | 988% |
| Pref Hlth Care Sytms Comm - All Plans | $2,408 | 988% |
| Auxiant-All Plans | $2,541 | 1042% |
| Phc Leased Ntwrk Access - All Plans | $2,541 | 1042% |
| Multiplan Ppo - All Plans | $2,541 | 1042% |
| Health Partners Ks-All Plans | $2,648 | 1086% |
| Cigna | $2,648 | 1086% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI, lower back (no contrast) procedure at Mitchell County Hospital Health Systems in Beloit, KS, the cash price is $2,408, which matches the median negotiated rate across 11 insurance plans. This cash price is significantly lower than the facility's gross charge of $2,675 and sits well below the state average for this service. While many commercial payers negotiate rates ranging from $2,274 to $2,675, the cash rate offers a clear advantage for patients with high-deductible plans who may not yet have met their out-of-pocket maximum. Because the cash price is lower than the median negotiated amount of $2,541, paying directly can result in immediate savings compared to relying on insurance reimbursement, provided the patient understands their specific plan's coverage limits.
Patients should be aware that insurance contracts often set a ceiling on what is allowed, but these negotiated rates can still exceed the cash price due to administrative costs and contract dynamics. If you receive a bill from an out-of-network provider at this facility, the No Surprises Act generally protects you from balance billing for emergency care and non-emergency services at in-network hospitals. To ensure you are not overcharged, always request a full itemized bill before paying, as summary invoices may hide unbundled codes or services not rendered. Additionally, ask the billing department about prompt-pay discounts, which can reduce the final amount further if you settle the account in full within 30 days, bypassing the higher administrative fees associated with insurance claims processing.