MRI, lower back (no contrast)
Facility: Amberwell Atchison Association
Billing Code: 72148 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 72148
- 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% |
| Humana | $955 - $970 | 392% |
| Va Ccn - All Plans | $955 | 392% |
| Triwest - All Plans | $955 | 392% |
| Superior Select Mcr Adv - All Plans | $955 | 392% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $955 - $5,194 | 392% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $1,481 | 608% |
| Aetna | $1,592 | 653% |
| Cigna | $1,592 | 653% |
| Oscar - All Plans | $2,171 | 891% |
| Centrus Health Direct - 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, lower back (no contrast) procedure at Amberwell Atchison Association, the cash price is $2,895.00, which matches the facility's cash median. This rate is significantly higher than the state of Kansas average, which is 6.1% of the cash price. While commercial insurance plans like UnitedHealthcare and Aetna negotiate rates ranging from $955 to $2,606, these negotiated amounts often exceed the cash price for patients with high-deductible plans. In such cases, paying the cash rate directly can result in lower out-of-pocket costs compared to the insurance allowed amount, provided the patient has not yet met their deductible. Patients should verify their specific plan's deductible status and ask the facility about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling to ensure they are choosing the most cost-effective option.
It is important to understand that commercial rates are not always the lowest possible; in this instance, the negotiated rates for major payers are substantially higher than the cash price. This discrepancy occurs because insurance contracts include administrative overhead and risk adjustments that inflate the baseline price. Furthermore, patients should be aware of balance billing protections under the No Surprises Act, which prevents unexpected bills for out-of-network services at in-network facilities, though this does not apply to the cash price itself. To avoid errors, consumers should request a full itemized bill rather than accepting a summary invoice, as over 80% of hospital bills contain mistakes such as unbundled codes or services not rendered. Disputing these errors in writing is the most effective way to reduce medical debt, ensuring that the final charge reflects only the actual services provided.