MRI, lower back (no contrast)
Facility: Children'S Mercy South
Billing Code: 72148 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 72148
- Insurance Median: $155
- Cash Discount Price: $771
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.64x 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.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| UnitedHealthcare | $61 - $2,018 | 25% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $65 - $153 | 27% |
| Healthy Blue | $65 - $608 | 27% |
| Cigna | $67 - $2,087 | 27% |
| Home State Health | $84 - $535 | 34% |
| Healthlink | $90 - $2,643 | 37% |
| Wppa Providrs Care | $90 - $1,952 | 37% |
| Health Midwest Comprehensive Care | $96 - $1,955 | 39% |
| American Healthcare Alliance | $100 - $2,553 | 41% |
| Quiktrip | $104 - $1,955 | 43% |
| Medica | $122 - $1,751 | 50% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $130 - $2,222 | 53% |
| Multiplan | $131 - $2,282 | 54% |
| Wellfit/Centrus | $132 - $1,952 | 54% |
| Aetna | $133 - $2,042 | 55% |
| Humana | $136 - $1,997 | 56% |
| Centivo | $136 - $1,952 | 56% |
| Orscheln | $138 - $1,952 | 57% |
| Nebraska Furniture Mart | $139 - $1,952 | 57% |
| Mercy Health | $153 - $2,252 | 63% |
| Coxhealth Network | $155 - $2,222 | 64% |
| Coventry Health Care Of Kansas | $168 - $2,222 | 69% |
| National Preferred Provider Network | $184 - $2,703 | 75% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI of the lower back (no contrast) at Children's Mercy South in Overland Park, Kansas, the cash median price is $771.00, which is significantly lower than the facility's gross charge of $1,606.00. While commercial insurance negotiated rates vary widely among payers—ranging from a low of $61 with UnitedHealthcare to a high of $2,703 with National Preferred Provider Network—the cash price often represents a more predictable cost for patients. It is important to note that for individuals with high-deductible plans who have not yet met their out-of-pocket maximum, paying the cash price directly can sometimes be cheaper than the insurance negotiated rate, which includes administrative overhead and contract markups. Patients should verify their specific plan's allowed amount before scheduling, as some in-network contracts may result in higher out-of-pocket costs than self-pay options.
To ensure you are receiving the most accurate pricing, it is recommended to request an itemized billing audit before finalizing payment, as summary bills often obscure individual line items and potential errors. Additionally, ask the billing department about prompt-pay discounts, which can reduce the total amount owed by 20% to 50% if paid in full upfront, bypassing the costly claims processing cycle. When evaluating the facility's pricing against state or county averages, remember that Medicare serves as a reliable benchmark for the true cost of care; in this case, the Medicare amount for this procedure is $243.77, and the facility's negotiated rates generally align with the expected markup range found in the commercial market. Always confirm whether your specific insurance plan has met its deductible, as this determines whether you will