MRI, lower back (no contrast)
Facility: Mercy Hospital of Buffalo
Billing Code: 72148 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 72148
- Insurance Median: $149
- Cash Discount Price: $573
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.61x 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 | $48 - $618 | 20% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $55 - $1,136 | 23% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $56 - $335 | 23% |
| VA Veterans Affairs [700001] | $58 - $188 | 24% |
| Univera Healthcare [100169] | $59 - $233 | 24% |
| Univera Healthcare Essential [100170] | $59 - $606 | 24% |
| Fidelis Essential [100163] | $61 - $1,136 | 25% |
| Beacon Essential [350122] | $61 - $226 | 25% |
| Independent Health Essential [100166] | $62 - $335 | 25% |
| Excellus Rochester McD [350117] | $62 - $335 | 25% |
| Amerigroup [350102] | $62 - $335 | 25% |
| Tuscarora Nation [550120] | $62 - $335 | 25% |
| Vna Option Mltc [350110] | $62 - $335 | 25% |
| Crime Victims [100176] | $62 - $335 | 25% |
| Ghi [100153] | $65 - $179 | 27% |
| Medicare (plans) | $67 - $363 | 27% |
| Aetna | $68 - $198 | 28% |
| Cigna | $68 - $273 | 28% |
| Meritain [100063] | $68 - $188 | 28% |
| Tricare | $68 - $188 | 28% |
| Champ VA [700002] | $68 - $188 | 28% |
| Catholic Health Life Pace [400005] | $68 - $188 | 28% |
| Covid19 Hrsa [45013] | $68 - $188 | 28% |
| Seneca Nation [450119] | $68 - $188 | 28% |
| Humana | $68 - $198 | 28% |
| Fallon Health [450115] | $68 - $188 | 28% |
| Hospice [550001] | $68 - $188 | 28% |
| Magnacare [100142] | $68 - $188 | 28% |
| Wellcare Fidelis Dual [450451] | $70 - $198 | 29% |
| Fidelis Dual Advantage [450120] | $70 - $198 | 29% |
| Independent Health [100165] | $74 - $601 | 30% |
| Iha First Choice [800001] | $74 - $565 | 30% |
| Wellcare [450129] | $75 - $207 | 31% |
| UPMC Health Plan [100181] | $81 - $554 | 33% |
| Beacon Health Options [100023] | $82 - $226 | 34% |
| Fidelis Exchange [100164] | $82 - $226 | 34% |
| Mvp Healthcare [100168] | $92 - $264 | 38% |
| Molina Essential [100167] | $140 - $1,136 | 57% |
| Federal Workers Compensation [500100] | $161 - $806 | 66% |
| No Fault [114001] | $161 - $806 | 66% |