Mri lumbar spine w/o dye

What is CPT Code 72148?

MRI of the lumbar spine without contrast. The standard study for evaluating lower back pain, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and nerve root compression. One of the most commonly ordered outpatient MRIs.

The Medicare reimbursement rate shown above is the amount the federal government has determined is a reasonable payment for this service. Hospitals and providers that participate in Medicare have agreed to accept these rates from Medicare patients.

Who typically bills this:Radiologist (interpretation) + hospital or outpatient imaging center (technical)

Common Billing Errors for CPT 72148

• !Billed alongside cervical or thoracic spine MRI codes without separate medical justification for each region
• !Upcoded to 72149 (with contrast) when no contrast was administered for a routine back pain evaluation
• !Facility fee added at hospital rates when the same scan is available at a fraction of the cost at an outpatient center

Red Flags on Your Bill

Negotiation Tips for CPT 72148

1. 1Lumbar spine MRI without contrast Medicare rate is roughly $90–$120 professional; hospital prices of $2,000–$5,000+ are highly negotiable
2. 2If referred for back pain, ask your doctor for a referral to a freestanding imaging center — same quality, 60–80% less
3. 3If multiple spine regions were scanned, verify each has a separate documented clinical indication

Codes That Often Appear With This One

These CPT codes commonly appear on the same bill. Review each one to spot potential bundling errors or duplicate charges.

Found CPT 72148 on Your Bill?

If you see CPT code 72148 on a hospital or medical bill, compare the charged amount to the Medicare rate above. If your bill shows a significantly higher charge, you may have grounds to negotiate.

1. Note the amount charged for CPT 72148 on your itemized bill
2. Compare it to the Medicare rate above — calculate the markup
3. Call the billing department and use the Medicare rate as your anchor:“I see CPT code 72148 billed at [amount]. The Medicare rate for this procedure is $198.97. I'd like to discuss a fair adjustment.”