healthcosts.net
Lower Back (Lumbar Spine) MRI (without contrast) at MercyOne Waterloo Medical Center
3421 W. 9th St, Waterloo, IA · MercyOne · · NPI 1700827896
$3,125.20
Cash price Discounted cash price What a hospital charges a self-pay patient who pays directly, without going through insurance — usually well below the gross charge. Example: A CT scan has a $3,200 gross charge but an $850 discounted cash price. Ask for it by name when scheduling — hospitals don't always advertise it up front.
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What you pay up front if you don't use insurance.
$4,808.00
Gross charge Gross charge (chargemaster price) The hospital's full, undiscounted list price — pulled from its internal "chargemaster" price list. Almost no one actually pays this. Example: A chest X-ray has a gross charge of $1,450. The same hospital's discounted cash price for the same X-ray is $180 — the gross charge mostly anchors negotiations, not what patients pay.
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The hospital's undiscounted list price — almost no one pays this.
$224.79 with MEDICARE MEDICAL ASSOCIATES HEALTH PLANS vs $4,808.00 with IOWA DEPT OF PUBLIC HEALTH — same scan, same building. Share
Negotiated rates by payer
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Negotiated rate
The price a specific insurance plan agreed to pay the hospital for a service — it varies by insurer, and even by plan within the same insurer.
Example: The same knee MRI has a negotiated rate of $904 with one insurer's PPO plan and $1,509 with another's — identical hospital, identical scan.
Full explanation →
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Negotiated rate
The price a specific insurance plan agreed to pay the hospital for a service — it varies by insurer, and even by plan within the same insurer.
Example: The same knee MRI has a negotiated rate of $904 with one insurer's PPO plan and $1,509 with another's — identical hospital, identical scan.
Full explanation →Payer ?Payer The insurance company footing the bill — Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, Medicare, and so on. Example: "Blue Cross Blue Shield" is the payer. Its negotiated rate for an MRI might be $904, while a different payer's negotiated rate for the same scan is $1,509. Full explanation → |
Plan ?Plan The specific product an insurer sells — e.g. "Blue Cross PPO 500" — which sets your deductible, coinsurance and negotiated rates. Example: Two people both insured by Aetna can owe very different amounts for the same MRI: $50 with an HMO plan's flat copay, or the full $1,200 toward a high-deductible PPO plan's unmet deductible. Full explanation → |
Negotiated rate | vs. cash |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEDICARE MEDICAL ASSOCIATES HEALTH PLANS | MEDICAL ASSOCIATES MEDICARE ADVANTAGE | $224.79 | ↓ -93% |
| AETNA MEDICARE ADVANTAGE | AETNA MEDICARE ADVANTAGE | $224.79 | ↓ -93% |
| MEDIGOLD MEDICARE ADVANTAGE | MERCYONE HEALTH PLAN MEDICARE ADVANTAGE | $224.79 | ↓ -93% |
| BLUE CROSS - IA (WELLMARK) MEDICARE ADVANTAGE | WELLMARK MEDICARE ADVANTAGE | $227.04 | ↓ -93% |
| IOWA TOTAL CARE | IOWA TOTAL CARE MEDICAID | $228.58 | ↓ -93% |
| UNITED HEALTHCARE MEDICARE | UNITED HEALTHCARE MEDICARE ADVANTAGE | $229.29 | ↓ -93% |
| MOLINA MEDICAID | MOLINA MEDICAID | $230.82 | ↓ -93% |
| HEALTH PARTNERS MEDICARE ADVANTAGE | UNITYPOINT HEALTH PARTNERS MEDICARE ADV | $231.67 | ↓ -93% |
| WELLPOINT MEDICAID | WELLPOINT MEDICAID | $231.72 | ↓ -93% |
| WELLPOINT MEDICARE ADVANTAGE | WELLPOINT MEDICARE ADVANTAGE | $233.97 | ↓ -93% |
| BLUE CROSS - WY | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BLUE CROSS - MI | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BLUE CROSS - PA (INDEPENDENCE) | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BLUE CROSS - IL ALTERNATE | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BLUE CROSS - AK (PREMERA) | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BLUE CROSS - CO (ANTHEM) | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BLUE SHIELD - WA (REGENCE) | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BLUE SHIELD - NY HIGHMARK WESTERN | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BLUE CROSS - OK | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BLUE SHIELD - PA (HIGHMARK) | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BLUE CROSS - VT | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BCN DOMESTIC | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BLUE CROSS - VA (CAREFIRST) | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BLUE CROSS - TX | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BLUE CROSS - NH (ANTHEM) | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BLUE CROSS - KY (ANTHEM) | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BLUE CROSS - FEDERAL | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BLUE CROSS - WA (PREMERA) | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BLUE CROSS - AZ | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BLUE CROSS - RI | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| PRE-EMPLOYMENT | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BLUE CROSS - NC | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BLUE CROSS - OR (REGENCE) | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BLUE CROSS - SC | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BLUE CARE NETWORK | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BLUE CROSS - VA (ANTHEM) | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BLUE CROSS - WI (ANTHEM) | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BLUE CROSS - IA (WELLMARK) | WELLMARK HMO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BLUE CROSS - DC (CAREFIRST) | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BLUE SHIELD - NY HIGHMARK NORTHEASTERN | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BLUE CROSS - MT | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BLUE CROSS - KS | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BLUE CROSS - NY (ANTHEM) | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BLUE SHIELD - ID (REGENCE) | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BLUE CROSS - UT (REGENCE) | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BLUE CROSS - ME (ANTHEM) | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BLUE CROSS - FL | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BLUE CROSS - GA (ANTHEM) | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BLUE CROSS - LA | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BLUE CROSS - NY (EXCELLUS) | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BLUE CROSS - SD (WELLMARK) | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BLUE CROSS - MD (CAREFIRST) | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BLUE CROSS DOMESTIC | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| WC DOMESTIC | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BLUE CROSS - CT (ANTHEM) | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BLUE CROSS - WV (HIGHMARK) | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BLUE SHIELD - CA | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BLUE CROSS - DE (HIGHMARK) | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BLUE CROSS - IA (WELLMARK) | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BLUE CROSS - IL | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BLUE CROSS - TN | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BLUE CROSS - AR | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BLUE CROSS - NE | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BLUE CROSS - NV (ANTHEM) | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BLUE CROSS - OH (ANTHEM) | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BLUE CROSS - MS | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BLUE CROSS - PA (CAPITAL) | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BLUE DISTINCTION TRANSPLANT | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BLUE CROSS - IN (ANTHEM) | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BLUE CROSS - MO (ANTHEM) | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BLUE CROSS - MA | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BLUE CROSS - CA (ANTHEM) | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BLUE CROSS - AL | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BLUE CROSS - ND | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| KAISER DOMESTIC | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BCBS GENERIC | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BLUE CROSS - MN | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BLUE BENEFIT ADMINISTRATORS OF MASSACHUSETTS | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BLUE CROSS - HI | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BLUE CROSS - ID | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BLUE CROSS - NJ (HORIZON) | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| BLUE CROSS - NM | WELLMARK PPO | $243.77 | ↓ -92% |
| AMISH HOSPITAL AID | AMISH HOSPITAL AID | $305.07 | ↓ -90% |
| OSCAR | OSCAR | $352.03 | ↓ -89% |
| CENTIVO | CENTIVO | $380.77 | ↓ -88% |
| AMBETTER | AMBETTER MARKETPLACE | $385.35 | ↓ -88% |
| NOVA | CLAIMDOC | $461.05 | ↓ -85% |
| CLAIMDOC | CLAIMDOC | $461.05 | ↓ -85% |
| GEHA | UNITED HEALTHCARE | $525.42 | ↓ -83% |
| UNITED HEALTHCARE | UNITED HEALTHCARE | $525.42 | ↓ -83% |
| WEBTPA | AETNA | $896.30 | ↓ -71% |
| COVENTRY | AETNA | $896.30 | ↓ -71% |
| ALLIED BENEFIT SYSTEMS | AETNA | $896.30 | ↓ -71% |
| LUCENT HEALTH | AETNA | $896.30 | ↓ -71% |
| LUMINARE HEALTH | AETNA | $896.30 | ↓ -71% |
| ASR HEALTH BENEFITS | AETNA | $896.30 | ↓ -71% |
| CHRISTIAN BROTHER SERVICES | AETNA | $896.30 | ↓ -71% |
| FIRST HEALTH | AETNA | $896.30 | ↓ -71% |
| AETNA | AETNA | $896.30 | ↓ -71% |
| MERITAIN | AETNA | $896.30 | ↓ -71% |
| MEDICAL MUTUAL | AETNA | $896.30 | ↓ -71% |
| AETNA DOMESTIC | AETNA | $896.30 | ↓ -71% |
| AETNA EAP | AETNA | $896.30 | ↓ -71% |
| MEDICAL ASSOCIATES | MEDICAL ASSOCIATES | $1,129.88 | ↓ -64% |
| HEALTH CHOICES | MEDICAL ASSOCIATES | $1,129.88 | ↓ -64% |
| HEALTH PARTNERS | HEALTH PARTNERS | $3,154.05 | ↑ +1% |
| MIDLANDS CHOICE | MIDLANDS CHOICE PPO | $3,413.68 | ↑ +9% |
| MIDLANDS | MIDLANDS CHOICE PPO | $3,413.68 | ↑ +9% |
| AUXIANT | MIDLANDS CHOICE PPO | $3,413.68 | ↑ +9% |
| MEDICA | MIDLANDS CHOICE PPO | $3,413.68 | ↑ +9% |
| CIGNA | MIDLANDS CHOICE PPO | $3,413.68 | ↑ +9% |
| CIGNA EAP | MIDLANDS CHOICE PPO | $3,413.68 | ↑ +9% |
| UNITED HEALTHCARE | UNITED HEALTHCARE DEERE PREMIER | $4,471.44 | ↑ +43% |
| UNITED HEALTHCARE | UHC OPTUM BEHAVIORAL HEALTH | $4,808.00 | ↑ +54% |
| IOWA DEPT OF PUBLIC HEALTH | CARE FOR YOURSELF | $4,808.00 | ↑ +54% |
Visitor-reported prices
Comments
Lower Back (Lumbar Spine) MRI (without contrast) at other Iowa hospitals
| Hospital | City | Cash price | Negotiated range |
|---|---|---|---|
| UnityPoint Health - Allen Hospital | Waterloo | $1,183.88 | $64.86 – $779.88 |
| UnityPoint Health - Iowa Lutheran Hospital | Des Moines | $4,099.13 | $64.86 – $1,506.43 |
| MercyOne New Hampton Medical Center | New Hampton | $2,598.70 | $1,582.81 – $3,998.00 |
| MercyOne Clinton Medical Center | Clinton | $2,598.70 | $219.72 – $3,998.00 |
| MercyOne Oelwein Medical Center | Oelwein | $2,598.70 | $1,528.04 – $3,998.00 |
| MercyOne Elkader Medical Center | Elkader | $2,598.70 | $2,057.77 – $4,178.71 |
| MercyOne West Des Moines Medical Center | West Des Moines | $5,237.00 | $225.21 – $5,237.00 |
| MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center | Des Moines | $2,589.60 | $110.18 – $3,984.00 |