here is a price that exists but is not posted, not indexed, not advertised, and not offered unless you ask using the right four words. This guide is those four words, and the twelve minutes around them.
The script
Hi, I'm calling about the cash-pay self-pay price for CPT 73721, an MRI of the knee without contrast. Can you tell me what that is?
Are you using insurance today?
No, I'm paying cash. What's the self-pay price, all-in?
One moment. For MRI knee without contrast, self-pay is $525, including the radiologist's read.
Why the four words matter
- "Cash-pay" triggers the lowest posted rate at most facilities.
- "Self-pay" is a legal category your billing office is required to recognize.
- "All-in" closes the loophole where you get quoted the scan but not the read.
- "CPT code [five digits]" proves you know what you're buying and makes them search the right field in the EHR.
The twelve minutes
The average first call is eight minutes. You'll be on hold twice. One time to get you to scheduling, one time to get you to billing. Billing knows the cash price. Scheduling usually doesn't. If scheduling quotes you a number that doesn't match billing's later, billing's number wins, so put that in writing via the patient portal if you can.