CMS Price Transparency Data

CT scan, lower back (lumbar spine)

Facility: Cambridge Health Alliance

Billing Code: 72131 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)
  • CPT Billing Code: 72131
  • Insurance Median: $937
  • Cash Discount Price: $937
  • vs. Medicare Baseline: 8.77x Medicare
The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a CT scan, lower back (lumbar spine) at Cambridge Health Alliance is $937. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $937. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $106.81, this hospital’s rate is 8.77x the Medicare baseline. Located in 1493 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA.
Cash / Self-Pay
$937

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median
$937

Median negotiated contract rate across all mapped commercial carriers.

Medicare Reference Rate
$106.81

Standard federal government reimbursement rate for this code.

Visual Cost Comparison vs. Medicare

Medicare Reference Baseline: $106.81 (100%)
Cash / Self-Pay: $937 (877%)
Insurance Median: $937 (877%)
Cash: $937 (877% of Medicare)
Ins. Median: $937 (877% of Medicare)

Understanding this gauge: We use the federal Medicare rate of $106.81 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 877% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 777%). 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.

Input your details and click calculate to compare out-of-pocket costs.

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 $139 - $937 130%
Other Tufts Health Public Plan [75002] $212 198%
Aarp [40001] $250 234%
Oxford Health [40004] $250 234%
United Medical Resource [40005] $250 234%
UnitedHealthcare $250 - $324 234%
Wellpoint [50012] $318 298%
Health Plans Inc [20002] $324 303%
Hphc [20001] $324 303%
Wc [90001] $343 321%
Cigna $352 - $1,071 330%
Tufts Health Plan [30001] $352 - $423 330%
Aetna $545 - $937 510%
Mass General Brigham [50021] $596 558%
Multiplan [50010] $637 596%
Altus Dental [99011] $937 877%
Beacon Health Strategies [50002] $937 877%
Cbhc Uninsured Crisis Alt Payer [70097] $937 877%
Cbhc Uninsured Crisis [70096] $937 877%
Celticare [50004] $937 877%
Commonwealth Care Alliance Dental [99004] $937 877%
Coverage Discovery [90004] $937 877%
Delta Dental Of Ma [99007] $937 877%
Dominion National Dental [99012] $937 877%
Dph Tb Payor [85004] $937 877%
Esp Dental [99003] $937 877%
Eyemed Alt Payor [13001] $937 877%
First Health [50007] $937 877%
Global Medical Management [50024] $937 877%
Government Employee Health Association [50023] $937 877%
Guardian Dental [99013] $937 877%
Health Safety Net Dental [99002] $937 877%
Humana $937 877%
Ma Laborers Health And Welfare Fund [50022] $937 877%
Magellan Health Services [65098] $937 877%
Mass Health Dental [99001] $937 877%
Medical Mutual Of Ohio [50019] $937 877%
Medicare (plans) $937 877%
Metlife Dental [99008] $937 877%
Modern Assistance Program [30098] $937 877%
Mva [90002] $937 877%
Neighborhood Health Plan [50011] $937 877%
Other Bh Payor [50014] $937 877%
Other Commercial Payor [50015] $937 877%
Other Dental Payor [99014] $937 877%
Other Dual Eligible Payer [65004] $937 877%
Other Gov'T Alt [85006] $937 877%
Other Vision Payor [50013] $937 877%
Ri Neighborhood Health Plan [50017] $937 877%
Tricare $937 877%

Self-Pay Upfront Cash Action Plan

Insurance In-Network Protection Plan

Facility Profile & Credentials

  • Address: 1493 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA 02139
  • CMS Rating: ★★★☆☆
  • Ownership Type: Government - Local
  • Hospital Type: Acute Care Hospitals