MRI, lower back (no contrast)
Facility: Kingman Healthcare Center
Billing Code: 72148 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 72148
- Insurance Median: $186
- Cash Discount Price: Unavailable
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.76x 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.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Medicaid / KanCare | $186 | 76% |
| Healthy Blue | $186 | 76% |
| Aetna | $811 | 333% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI of the lower back (no contrast) at Kingman Healthcare Center in Kingman, KS, the facility's negotiated rates with major payers like Medicaid/KanCare, Healthy Blue, and Aetna are all set at $186. This negotiated amount aligns exactly with the median negotiated rate of $186.00 reported for this service in the region. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital with a voluntary non-profit ownership structure, patients should be aware that cash payments are not currently listed for this specific code. However, it is always advisable to contact the hospital directly before scheduling to inquire about self-pay or prompt-pay discounts, as these upfront payment incentives can sometimes result in a lower total cost than the standard insurance negotiated rate, particularly for those with high-deductible plans.
The Medicare benchmark for this procedure is $243.77, which serves as the objective baseline for evaluating pricing fairness. The facility's median paid amount of $212.00 is slightly higher than the Medicare rate, reflecting the specific cost structures and administrative overheads associated with commercial billing cycles. Because commercial negotiated rates often include multi-layered administrative costs and contract dynamics, they can sometimes exceed the true cost represented by Medicare. To ensure you are not overcharged, we recommend requesting a full itemized bill to verify that no unbundled codes or services not rendered are included, and disputing any balance bills immediately if you receive them, as federal protections like the No Surprises Act may apply depending on your specific network status and the nature of the care received.