CMS Price Transparency Data

MRI, lower back (no contrast)

Facility: Hillcrest Medical Center

Billing Code: 72148 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)

CPT Billing Code: 72148
Insurance Median: $1,776
Cash Discount Price: $1,380
vs. Medicare Baseline: 7.29x Medicare

The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a MRI, lower back (no contrast) at Hillcrest Medical Center is $1,776. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $1,380. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $243.77, this hospital’s rate is 7.29x the Medicare baseline. Located in 1120 South Utica Avenue, Tulsa, OK.

Cash / Self-Pay

$1,380

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median

$1,776

Median negotiated contract rate across all mapped commercial carriers.

Medicare Reference Rate

$243.77

Standard federal government reimbursement rate for this code.

Visual Cost Comparison vs. Medicare

Medicare Reference Baseline: $243.77 (100%)

Cash / Self-Pay: $1,380 (566%)

Insurance Median: $1,776 (729%)

Cash: $1,380 (566% of Medicare)

Ins. Median: $1,776 (729% of 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 729% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 629%). Patients with high-deductible plans or out-of-network benefits may face excessive out-of-pocket costs.

Consult Patient Advocate

Out-of-Pocket Cost Estimator

Estimate whether it is more economical to use your insurance or pay the upfront self-pay cash rate.

Billing Status

Remaining Deductible ($)

Your Coinsurance 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
Black Lung [6055]	$1,150	472%
Healthcare Highways [2210]	$1,150 - $1,776	472%
Hooray Health [8000]	$1,150	472%
Lucent Health [6000]	$1,150	472%
Oncology Patient Assistance Programs [2295]	$1,150	472%
Oscar Insurance Company [7005]	$1,150	472%
Osma Health Network [2345]	$1,150	472%
Healthscope Benefits [2290]	$1,462	600%
UnitedHealthcare	$1,462	600%
Resource One Administrators [2815]	$1,776	729%
Web Tpa [2115]	$1,776	729%
The Kempton Group Administrators [2905]	$2,070	849%
Medica [2910]	$2,613	1072%
Multiplan [1680]	$2,613	1072%
Pending Ssi [1616]	$4,600	1887%

Self-Pay Upfront Cash Action Plan

Request a "Self-Pay classification" with the billing desk before receiving care.
Ask for a written "Prompt-Pay Discount" agreement quoting the price of $1,380.
Request and sign a "Waiver of Insurance Submission" to prevent automatic billing.
Verify CPT Code matches exactly: 72148.

Insurance In-Network Protection Plan

Contact your insurance company to confirm Hillcrest Medical Center is fully in-network.
Ask your insurer if "Prior Authorization" is required for CPT code 72148.
Confirm the specific physician or imaging center is also in-network (not just the hospital building).
Audit your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) against the final itemized hospital invoice.