MRI, knee or other leg joint
Facility: Memorial Hospital
Billing Code: 73721 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 73721
- Insurance Median: $2,154
- Cash Discount Price: $3,917
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 8.84x 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 884% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 784%). 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 | $556 | 228% |
| Humana | $1,958 | 803% |
| Tricare | $1,958 | 803% |
| Medicare (plans) | $1,978 | 811% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $2,154 | 884% |
| Coventry - All Other Plans | $3,525 | 1446% |
| Health Partners Of Kansas - All Plans | $3,721 | 1526% |
| Preferred Healthcare-All Plans | $3,721 | 1526% |
| Wppa/Providers Care-All Plans | $5,484 | 2250% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI of a knee or other leg joint at Memorial Hospital in Abilene, KS, the cash price is $3,917, which matches the facility's median negotiated rate for in-network payers. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital with a government ownership structure, the cash price is significantly higher than the Medicare benchmark of $243.77, reflecting a markup common in commercial billing. Patients with high-deductible plans or those without insurance may find the cash price more affordable than the negotiated rate of $2,154, as the insurance payment often exceeds the cash amount, leaving the patient responsible for the difference. It is important to verify your specific plan's deductible status before scheduling, as paying the full negotiated rate without meeting your deductible can result in higher out-of-pocket costs than paying cash upfront.
To minimize costs, consumers should proactively request "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before check-in, which can reduce the bill by 20% to 50% by bypassing administrative claim processing fees. Since over 80% of hospital bills contain errors, it is advisable to demand a full itemized CPT-coded bill rather than accepting a summary invoice, ensuring no unbundled codes or services not rendered are included. Although the No Surprises Act protects patients from balance billing for out-of-network services at in-network facilities, patients should still review their itemized statement carefully to dispute any discrepancies. For this specific procedure, the facility's pricing is notably higher than the national average, so comparing the cash price against your personal financial situation and potential discounts is the most effective way to determine the best payment option.