MRI, knee or other leg joint
Facility: Amberwell Atchison Association
Billing Code: 73721 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 73721
- Insurance Median: $1,481
- Cash Discount Price: $2,895
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 6.08x 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 608% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 508%). 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 | $525 - $553 | 215% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $955 - $5,194 | 392% |
| Triwest - All Plans | $955 | 392% |
| Va Ccn - All Plans | $955 | 392% |
| Superior Select Mcr Adv - All Plans | $955 | 392% |
| Humana | $955 - $970 | 392% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $1,481 | 608% |
| Cigna | $1,592 | 653% |
| Aetna | $1,592 | 653% |
| Centrus Health Direct - All Plans | $2,171 | 891% |
| Oscar - All Plans | $2,171 | 891% |
| Multiplan - All Plans | $2,258 | 926% |
| Wppa Providrs Care - All Plans | $2,606 | 1069% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI of a knee or other leg joint (CPT 73721) at Amberwell Atchison Association in Atchison, KS, the cash price is $2,895.00, which matches the facility's median paid amount. This cash rate is significantly higher than the Medicare benchmark of $243.77, reflecting a markup of 6.1 times the federal baseline. While commercial insurance plans like Blue Cross Blue Shield and Triwest offer negotiated rates ranging from $525 to $955, these amounts often exceed the cash price for patients with high-deductible plans. In such cases, paying cash directly can be more cost-effective, provided the patient secures a "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discount before scheduling to avoid being billed the full negotiated amount by their insurer.
Patients should be aware that commercial negotiated rates, such as the $1,481.00 median paid by Ambetter/Centene and Cigna, are often inflated by administrative costs and contract structures rather than representing the lowest possible price. To ensure you are not overpaying, it is essential to request a formal itemized billing audit before finalizing payment, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors or unbundled charges. Additionally, while the No Surprises Act protects against balance billing for out-of-network services at in-network facilities, you must verify your specific plan's deductible status and avoid signing consent waivers that could inadvertently waive your rights to dispute unexpected charges. Always confirm the facility's specific self-pay discounts prior to your visit to maximize potential savings.