MRI, lower back (no contrast)
Facility: Rehabilitation Hospital Of Overland Park
Billing Code: 72148 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 72148
- Insurance Median: $4,544
- Cash Discount Price: $6,059
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 18.64x 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 1864% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 1764%). 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 | $3,635 | 1491% |
| Americas Choice Provider Network | $4,241 | 1740% |
| Quiktrip Corporation | $4,544 | 1864% |
| Provider Network Of America | $4,544 | 1864% |
| Velocity | $4,544 | 1864% |
| Usa Managed Care Organization | $4,544 | 1864% |
| Multiplan-Phcs | $4,847 | 1988% |
| Prime Health Services | $5,150 | 2113% |
| Medincrease | $5,453 | 2237% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI, lower back (no contrast) procedure at the Rehabilitation Hospital Of Overland Park in Overland Park, KS, the cash price is $6,059. This cash rate is significantly higher than the Medicare benchmark of $243.77, reflecting the standard commercial markup structure where negotiated rates often exceed 200% of the federal baseline. While the facility lists a median negotiated rate of $4,544 for several payers, these amounts are still well below the gross charge of $6,059. Patients with high-deductible plans should be aware that paying the cash price of $6,059 upfront might actually be more cost-effective than using insurance if the insurer's negotiated rate exceeds the cash price, though in this specific case, the cash rate remains the highest figure listed. It is crucial to verify your specific plan's allowed amount before scheduling, as in-network rates vary significantly by carrier and can sometimes be much higher than expected.
To minimize out-of-pocket costs, we strongly recommend contacting the hospital directly to inquire about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50% for upfront payment. Since the data indicates a median negotiated rate of $4,544, paying this amount directly could result in substantial savings compared to the full cash price, provided you have the necessary funds. Additionally, if you have insurance, ensure you understand your deductible status before proceeding, as many patients unknowingly pay the full negotiated rate until their annual deductible is met. Finally, always request a detailed, itemized bill before paying to identify any errors or unbundled charges, as over 8