MRI, lower back (no contrast)
Facility: Northern Louisiana Medical Center
Billing Code: 72148 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 72148
- Insurance Median: $5,117
- Cash Discount Price: $2,814
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 20.99x 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 2099% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 1999%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| UnitedHealthcare | $383 - $3,075 | 157% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $469 - $732 | 192% |
| First Health | $523 - $4,349 | 215% |
| Aetna | $732 - $3,070 | 300% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $732 - $5,116 | 300% |
| Humana | $805 | 330% |
| Golden Rule Ins | $1,914 - $3,075 | 785% |
| Verity Healthnet | $2,507 | 1028% |
| Kaiser Permanente | $2,558 | 1049% |
| Cigna | $2,558 | 1049% |
| Self Pay | $2,814 | 1154% |
| Gilsbar | $2,814 | 1154% |
| Geha | $4,093 - $4,861 | 1679% |
| PHCS | $4,349 | 1784% |
| Multiplan | $4,349 | 1784% |
| Work Comp First Health | $4,605 | 1889% |
| Work Comp City of Ruston | $4,605 | 1889% |
| Workers Compensation | $4,605 | 1889% |
| Work Comp Nlmc Emp | $4,605 | 1889% |
| Guarantee Trust Life Ins | $5,116 | 2099% |
| Lifecare Specialty Hosp | $5,116 | 2099% |
| McR American Hlth Adv | $5,116 | 2099% |
| Union Fidelity Life Ins | $5,116 | 2099% |
| Crime Victims Compensatio | $5,116 | 2099% |
| Mva Insurance Payors | $5,116 | 2099% |
| Gmp Employers Retiree Tru | $5,116 | 2099% |
| Ima Insurance | $5,116 | 2099% |
| Union Bankers Insurance C | $5,116 | 2099% |
| Equitable | $5,116 | 2099% |
| Fox Everett Inc | $5,116 | 2099% |
| Healthfirst Tpa | $5,116 | 2099% |
| Apwu Health Plan | $5,116 | 2099% |
| Aflc American Family Life | $5,116 | 2099% |
| Principal Mutual Life Ins | $5,116 | 2099% |
| Nalc Health Benefit Plan | $5,116 | 2099% |
| United American | $5,116 | 2099% |
| Hospice of Caring Hearts | $5,116 | 2099% |
| Sterling Investors Life | $5,116 | 2099% |
| Nalc Natl Assoc Ltr Carri | $5,116 | 2099% |
| Ltu Student Ins Bollinger | $5,116 | 2099% |
| Protective Life Ins | $5,116 | 2099% |
| Newera | $5,116 | 2099% |
| State Mutual Ins | $5,116 | 2099% |
| Specialty Hosp of Winnfie | $5,116 | 2099% |
| American Life Accident | $5,116 | 2099% |
| Lin Parish Detention | $5,116 | 2099% |
| Liberty Healthshare | $5,116 | 2099% |
| Bankers Life and Casualty | $5,116 | 2099% |
| Ltu Athletics | $5,116 | 2099% |
| Gsu Athletics | $5,116 | 2099% |
| Washington National Ins | $5,116 | 2099% |
| Ruston Regional Specialty | $5,116 | 2099% |
| Physicians Mutual Ins | $5,116 | 2099% |
| Misc Commercial | $5,116 | 2099% |
| Benefit Trust Life | $5,116 | 2099% |
| United Teachers Ins | $5,116 | 2099% |
| Industrial Accounts | $5,116 | 2099% |
| Liberty Mutual Group | $5,116 | 2099% |
| The Hartford | $5,116 | 2099% |
| Nlmc Community Services | $5,116 | 2099% |
| Aarp | $5,116 | 2099% |
| Us Dept of Labor | $5,116 | 2099% |
| Premier Hospice | $5,116 | 2099% |
| State Farm Insurance | $5,116 | 2099% |
| Lincoln Kidney Center | $5,116 | 2099% |