MRI, lower back (no contrast)
Facility: Ascension Via Christi Rehabilitation Hospital Inc
Billing Code: 72148 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 72148
- Insurance Median: $228
- Cash Discount Price: Unavailable
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.94x 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Aetna | $220 - $1,308 | 90% |
| Medicare (plans) | $224 - $228 | 92% |
| Vc Hope | $224 | 92% |
| Humana | $224 | 92% |
| Va | $224 | 92% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $228 | 94% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $228 - $626 | 94% |
| Smarthealth | $313 | 128% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $380 | 156% |
| Cigna | $467 | 192% |
| Coventry City Of Wichita | $940 | 386% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this MRI of the lower back (no contrast) at Ascension Via Christi Rehabilitation Hospital Inc in Wichita, KS, the negotiated rates range from $220 to $940 depending on your specific insurance plan. While the facility's median negotiated rate of $228 aligns closely with the lowest end of the spectrum seen across Kansas payers, it is important to note that cash prices are not listed for this service. In cases where a patient's insurance deductible has not been met or their plan offers a high allowed amount, paying the cash price directly can sometimes result in lower out-of-pocket costs compared to the insurance negotiated rate. Patients should always ask the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as these upfront fee reductions can significantly lower the final bill.
The Medicare benchmark for this procedure is $243.77, which serves as a reliable baseline for evaluating pricing fairness. Commercial negotiated rates often exceed this benchmark due to administrative costs and contract structures, but the data shows that many payers in this region are negotiating rates very close to the Medicare amount. For example, Medicare, Vc Hope, Humana, and several other plans have negotiated rates of $224, which is only slightly below the Medicare benchmark. This suggests that for many insured patients, the facility is charging near the true cost of care rather than applying a significant markup. To ensure you are not overcharged, verify your specific plan's allowed amount and consider requesting an itemized bill if you receive a summary invoice, as detailed statements help identify any unbundled codes or services not rendered.