MRI, lower back (no contrast)
Facility: Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center
Billing Code: 72148 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 72148
- Insurance Median: $1,122
- Cash Discount Price: $2,629
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 4.60x 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 460% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 360%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Medicaid / KanCare | $131 | 54% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $610 - $1,122 | 250% |
| Tricare | $1,080 | 443% |
| Medadv_Allwell | $1,122 | 460% |
| Humana | $1,122 | 460% |
| Aetna | $1,122 | 460% |
| Medicare (plans) | $1,122 | 460% |
| Va_Ccn | $1,122 | 460% |
| Medadv_Uhc | $1,122 | 460% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $1,766 | 724% |
| Wppa_Providrscare | $2,909 | 1193% |
| United | $2,916 | 1196% |
| Coventry | $3,330 | 1366% |
| Cigna | $3,330 | 1366% |
| Hpk | $3,330 | 1366% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI of the lower back (no contrast) at Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center in Chanute, KS, the facility's negotiated rates range from $131 to $2,916 depending on the insurance plan, with a median negotiated rate of $1,122. This commercial rate is significantly higher than the facility's cash price of $2,629 and the median paid amount of $2,418, suggesting that paying out-of-pocket may be more cost-effective for patients with high-deductible plans or those without insurance. The facility, a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government, charges a Medicare benchmark of $243.77 for this service, indicating that the commercial negotiated rates represent a substantial markup over the federal baseline. Patients should verify their specific plan's allowed amount before scheduling, as some in-network contracts may result in higher out-of-pocket costs than self-pay options.
To minimize unexpected costs, patients should proactively request a "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discount from the billing department before check-in, as these upfront payment incentives can reduce the total bill by 20% to 50%. If a patient receives a bill from an out-of-network provider or encounters unexpected charges at an in-network facility, they should dispute the amount immediately rather than paying it in full, as federal protections like the No Surprises Act may prevent balance billing for emergency or non-emergency services. Additionally, patients should demand a detailed, itemized bill rather than accepting a summary invoice, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as unbundled codes or charges for services not rendered. By comparing the facility's rates directly to the Medicare