MRI, knee or other leg joint
Facility: Centura St. Catherine-Dodge City
Billing Code: 73721 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 73721
- Insurance Median: $3,047
- Cash Discount Price: $1,523
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 12.50x 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 1250% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 1150%). 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 | $125 - $650 | 51% |
| Kaiser | $125 | 51% |
| Aetna | $125 - $4,570 | 51% |
| Kansas Health | $125 | 51% |
| Medicare (plans) | $125 | 51% |
| Cigna | $125 | 51% |
| Humana | $125 | 51% |
| Centura Employee Plan | $543 | 223% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $2,506 - $3,759 | 1028% |
| Wpaa | $2,666 - $3,999 | 1094% |
| Multiplan | $3,047 - $5,142 | 1250% |
| Christian Health Aid | $3,047 - $4,570 | 1250% |
| Health Partners Of Kansas | $3,428 - $5,142 | 1406% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this MRI procedure at Centura St. Catherine-Dodge City, the facility's cash median rate of $1,523 is significantly lower than the state average of $3,047, offering a substantial potential savings for patients with high-deductible plans. While commercial payers like Multiplan and Christian Health Aid have negotiated rates ranging from $3,047 to $5,142, these figures often exceed the cash price due to administrative overhead and contract structures. It is important to note that Medicare serves as the objective benchmark for pricing, with a fixed rate of $243.77 for this service; commercial rates typically average 200% to 300% of this baseline, whereas fair pricing is generally defined as 120% to 150%. Patients should verify their specific plan's negotiated rate before scheduling, as some in-network carriers may charge substantially more than the cash-pay option.
To maximize cost savings, patients should proactively inquire about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce bills by 20% to 50% when paid in full upfront, bypassing the costly insurance claims cycle. Since over 80% of hospital bills contain errors, requesting a detailed, itemized statement is critical to identifying unbundled codes or services not rendered before making any payment. Additionally, while the No Surprises Act protects against balance billing for out-of-network providers at in-network facilities, patients must ensure their facility is properly classified as self-pay to avoid automatic claims submission that could void cash discounts. Always confirm your deductible status and request a formal written audit dispute if discrepancies appear on your invoice.