MRI, knee or other leg joint
Facility: Wamego Health Center
Billing Code: 73721 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 73721
- Insurance Median: $169
- Cash Discount Price: $1,611
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.69x 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 | $53 - $234 | 22% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $55 - $251 | 23% |
| Aetna | $55 - $243 | 23% |
| Providrs Care | $86 - $284 | 35% |
| Tricare | $338 | 139% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $726 - $764 | 298% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI of a knee or other leg joint at Wamego Health Center in Wamego, KS, the cash median price is $1,611.00, which is significantly lower than the facility's gross charge of $4,027.00. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital with a voluntary non-profit ownership structure, patients should be aware that commercial insurance negotiated rates often exceed cash prices due to administrative overhead and contract dynamics. For instance, Blue Cross Blue Shield has a negotiated range of $726 to $764, which is higher than the cash rate, meaning patients with high-deductible plans might save money by paying the cash price directly. It is crucial to verify your specific plan's deductible status before scheduling, as paying the full negotiated amount may not be covered if you have not yet met your out-of-pocket threshold.
To ensure you are not overcharged, always request an itemized billing audit before finalizing payment, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as unbundled codes or services not rendered. If you receive a surprise balance bill from an out-of-network provider, you may be protected under the No Surprises Act, which bans balance billing for emergency care and non-emergency services at in-network facilities. Additionally, ask the facility about prompt-pay discounts, which can reduce the total cost by 20% to 50% if paid in full upfront, bypassing the costly claims processing cycle that inflates insurance rates. By comparing the cash price against your specific insurance allowed amounts and demanding a detailed line-item statement, you can avoid unexpected costs and ensure transparency in your healthcare spending.