MRI, lower back (no contrast)
Facility: Ascension Via Christi Hospital Manhattan, Inc
Billing Code: 72148 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 72148
- Insurance Median: $224
- Cash Discount Price: $831
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.92x 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 | $58 - $626 | 24% |
| Aetna | $60 - $243 | 25% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $60 - $250 | 25% |
| Providrs Care | $94 - $270 | 39% |
| Humana | $224 - $226 | 92% |
| Medicare (plans) | $224 - $228 | 92% |
| Va | $224 | 92% |
| Smarthealth | $313 | 128% |
| Tricare | $338 | 139% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $380 | 156% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $598 - $630 | 245% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI, lower back (no contrast) procedure at Ascension Via Christi Hospital Manhattan, Inc, the facility's cash price of $831.00 is significantly lower than the gross charge of $2,077.00. While commercial insurance plans like UnitedHealthcare and Aetna negotiate rates ranging from $58 to $630, these negotiated amounts often exceed the cash price, meaning patients with high-deductible plans might save money by paying out-of-pocket and seeking prompt-pay discounts. The facility's negotiated rate of $224.00 is notably lower than the state average for Kansas, which helps protect in-network members from excessive costs, though patients should verify their specific plan's allowed amount before scheduling to ensure they are receiving the best possible rate.
This facility's pricing is also benchmarked against Medicare, which sets a fixed rate of $243.77 for this service. The facility's cash price of $831.00 is higher than the Medicare rate, reflecting the administrative costs and profit margins inherent in private hospital operations, whereas the negotiated rate of $224.00 aligns closely with the Medicare benchmark, indicating fair pricing for insured patients. To avoid unexpected balance billing, patients should request an itemized bill and confirm that all services are covered under their network contract, as federal protections generally prevent surprise charges for out-of-network providers at in-network facilities.