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Kansas

Cost of a Knee MRI Visit
in Kansas

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

Kansas maintains approximately 7% lower healthcare costs than the national average, making Knee MRI services more affordable for residents across the state's diverse metropolitan and rural communities. Patients typically pay between $64.56 and $503.56 for a Knee MRI visit, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $179.44 based on negotiated insurance rates. With 1,844 active Knee MRI providers throughout Kansas, patients can browse all available specialists to find quality care that fits their budget and location preferences.

Average

$249

Median

$179

Lowest

$65

Highest

$504

Providers

1,844

National avg: $268Kansas: $249

7% below national average

Compare Similar Procedures

How does mri knee compare to related procedures in Kansas?

ProcedureCPTLowMedianHighProviders
MRI Brain

MRI of the brain with and without contrast

70553$107$279$8181,840
MRI Lumbar Spine

MRI of the lumbar spine without contrast

72148$71$159$5021,837
CT Abdomen & Pelvis

CT scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast

74177$89$245$3991,786
CT Chest

CT scan of the chest with contrast

71260$59$149$3241,893

Important: These are cost estimates only — not a quote and not medical advice.

The prices on this page are self-pay rates, drawn from federal Transparency in Coverage machine-readable files (CPT 73721MRI any joint of lower extremity without contrast). They represent what a patient might pay without insurance.

Your actual cost depends on: your specific insurance plan, your remaining deductible, your coinsurance percentage, whether you have met your out-of-pocket maximum, whether the facility and provider are both in-network, and any separate anesthesia or implant fees billed independently.

This page does not constitute medical advice. Whether you need this procedure, and which approach is right for you, is a decision to make with a licensed healthcare provider.

Where this data comes from & what CPT 73721 covers

Data source: Cost figures are derived from UnitedHealthcare Transparency in Coverage machine-readable files for CPT code 73721 (MRI any joint of lower extremity without contrast), as mandated by the CMS Price Transparency Rule.

What CPT 73721 covers: the provider's professional fee for mri knee. It does not include facility/hospital fees, anesthesia, pre-operative imaging, post-operative care, or any add-on codes billed separately.

How to read this data

Negotiated Rate

The discounted price an insurer has agreed to pay a specific provider. Most insured patients' bills are calculated from this number, not the higher list price hospitals publish separately.

P5, Median, P95

P5 is the rate at the 5th percentile (low end), Median is the middle value, and P95 is the 95th percentile (high end). This range shows how much the same visit can vary between providers.

What this does not tell you

These rates do not tell you what you personally will pay out of pocket. That depends on your specific plan, how much of your deductible you have already met, your coinsurance rate, and whether the provider is in your network. Call your insurer's member line to get your exact estimate.

Why Knee MRI Visit Costs Vary Across Kansas

Kansas healthcare costs run approximately 7% below national averages, reflecting the state's lower overhead costs and moderate provider competition across its mix of urban centers and rural communities. The state's geographic diversity creates significant cost variations between metropolitan areas like Kansas City and Wichita versus smaller farming communities with limited healthcare infrastructure.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

Kansas City and Wichita metro areas concentrate most Knee MRI specialists, while rural counties often have limited or no local imaging services. Patients in western Kansas may travel over 100 miles for specialized MRI studies, though telemedicine consultations can reduce some access barriers. This urban-rural divide creates cost disparities, with rural facilities sometimes charging less due to lower overhead but potentially lacking advanced imaging technology.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Hospital-based outpatient imaging centers in Kansas typically charge higher facility fees than independent radiology clinics due to increased administrative overhead and regulatory compliance costs. Major health systems like The University of Kansas Health System and Ascension Via Christi operate many hospital-based facilities with higher operating costs. Independent imaging centers and specialty orthopedic clinics often offer more competitive pricing while maintaining quality standards.

Insurance Market Competition in Kansas

Blue Cross Blue Shield Kansas holds significant market share alongside UnitedHealthcare and Aetna, creating moderate insurer competition that helps control negotiated rates. The state's insurance market concentration means fewer plan options compared to larger states, but established relationships between major insurers and provider networks help stabilize pricing. Limited insurer competition in rural markets can result in higher out-of-network costs when traveling for specialized care.

Physician Supply and Demand in Kansas

With 1,844 active Knee MRI providers statewide, Kansas maintains adequate specialist availability relative to its population of 2.9 million residents. This supply helps prevent the shortage-driven price increases seen in other rural states. However, provider distribution heavily favors urban areas, creating longer wait times and potential travel requirements for rural patients seeking specialized knee imaging services.

JP

Jayant Panwar

CEO, Momentary Labs · San Francisco, CA

Jayant has analyzed healthcare pricing data from CMS Transparency in Coverage files since 2022, covering more than 50 million negotiated rate records across all 50 states. His work focuses on making insurer machine-readable files accessible to patients and researchers.

The cost figures on this page reflect his ongoing work to make this data accessible to patients.

Healthcare Data AnalyticsCMS TiC DataInsurance Price Transparency

Frequently Asked Questions — Knee MRI Costs in Kansas

What is the average cost of a Knee MRI visit in Kansas without insurance?

Uninsured patients in Kansas typically pay between $64.56 and $503.56 for a Knee MRI, with a median cost of $179.44 based on negotiated insurance rates. Self-pay patients often receive discounts of 20-50% off standard rates, bringing costs down significantly. Many facilities offer payment plans and financial assistance programs to make imaging services more affordable for uninsured residents.

Does Kansas Medicaid cover Knee MRI visits?

KanCare, Kansas's Medicaid program, covers medically necessary Knee MRI studies with proper prior authorization from a healthcare provider. Since Kansas has not expanded Medicaid, coverage is limited to specific eligible populations including pregnant women, children, elderly, and disabled individuals. Patients must meet medical necessity criteria and obtain referrals through their assigned managed care organization.

How do I find an affordable Knee MRI near me in Kansas?

Compare costs between hospital-based imaging centers and independent radiology clinics, as independent facilities often charge significantly less. Ask about cash-pay discounts if you're uninsured, and consider community health centers that may offer sliding fee scales. Rural imaging centers sometimes have lower overhead costs than urban facilities, though you'll need to balance cost savings against travel expenses and convenience.

What is the difference in cost between an initial consultation and a follow-up visit?

The pricing data shows Knee MRI costs ranging from $64.56 to $503.56 with a median of $179.44, though specific consultation visit codes weren't available in the dataset. Initial consultations typically cost more than follow-up visits due to comprehensive evaluation requirements. Many providers offer package pricing that includes both the imaging study and radiologist consultation to help patients budget for total care costs.

Can I use an HSA or FSA to pay for a Knee MRI visit in Kansas?

Yes, Knee MRI visits are qualified medical expenses eligible for Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) reimbursement in Kansas. You can use pre-tax dollars to pay for diagnostic imaging services, radiologist interpretation fees, and related medical consultations. Keep detailed receipts and documentation for tax purposes and FSA reimbursement claims.

How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Knee MRI in Kansas?

Telemedicine consultations for discussing MRI results typically cost less than in-person follow-up visits, though the actual imaging must be performed at a facility. Kansas expanded telemedicine coverage during the pandemic, making virtual consultations more accessible for rural patients. Some providers offer telehealth packages that include image review and treatment planning, reducing overall costs by eliminating travel and reducing office overhead fees.

Click a state to compare costs

Average Visit Cost

$183
$447

Office visit (CPT 73721)

Compare With Other States

RankStateAverage
1Georgia
Range: $64$1,036
$447
2Wisconsin
Range: $73$1,001
$404
3Maine
Range: $105$701
$366
4Nevada
Range: $80$642
$357
5Wyoming
Range: $59$697
$336
6Massachusetts
Range: $70$590
$329
7Hawaii
Range: $75$505
$322
8Nebraska
Range: $123$504
$322
9Minnesota
Range: $83$507
$306
10Colorado
Range: $60$642
$299
11Washington
Range: $59$505
$297
12New Hampshire
Range: $77$590
$296
13Iowa
Range: $80$516
$296
14Illinois
Range: $69$595
$295
15North Carolina
Range: $65$580
$290
16Indiana
Range: $59$595
$284
17Vermont
Range: $57$617
$281
18New Mexico
Range: $57$588
$281
19West Virginia
Range: $71$425
$274
20Utah
Range: $59$504
$273
21District of Columbia
Range: $53$560
$272
22Louisiana
Range: $55$429
$270
23Rhode Island
Range: $59$537
$267
24Oregon
Range: $75$393
$265
25Virginia
Range: $45$569
$262
26New York
Range: $48$582
$262
27South Dakota
Range: $131$327
$262
28Alaska
Range: $59$527
$261
29Idaho
Range: $59$462
$255
30Michigan
Range: $62$506
$252
31Kansas
Range: $65$504
$249
32Montana
Range: $59$358
$248
33Tennessee
Range: $66$479
$247
34North Dakota
Range: $83$327
$246
35Kentucky
Range: $59$492
$242
36Missouri
Range: $69$461
$238
37Alabama
Range: $53$479
$232
38Pennsylvania
Range: $55$506
$232
39Texas
Range: $59$464
$230
40South Carolina
Range: $58$468
$230
41Delaware
Range: $63$399
$226
42California
Range: $75$505
$220
43Mississippi
Range: $52$465
$220
44Oklahoma
Range: $55$464
$219
45New Jersey
Range: $47$466
$219
46Maryland
Range: $26$457
$218
47Ohio
Range: $45$452
$214
48Connecticut
Range: $55$472
$211
49Arkansas
Range: $66$327
$192
50Florida
Range: $35$479
$191
51Arizona
Range: $59$350
$183
MRI Knee in Other States