CPT 72148: MRI of the lower spine without contrast. What Medicare pays and what to ask
An MRI of the lower back is one of the larger imaging bills. Here is what 72148 covers and the Medicare rate.
What this code means
CPT 72148 is an MRI of the lumbar spine (the lower back) without contrast dye. The versions with contrast use different codes.
It is a common test for back pain, nerve problems and disc issues.
Why the bill can be much higher than the Medicare rate
The Medicare rate is the global amount, covering the scan and the radiologist's reading. Bills often split them.
Some plans require prior approval for MRIs, and a missing approval can lead to a denial that is not about price.
| If a line is billed at | It would be |
|---|---|
| 5x the Medicare rate | $958.60 |
| 10x the Medicare rate | $1,917.20 |
| 20x the Medicare rate | $3,834.40 |
The Medicare rate is a published benchmark, not a legal ceiling on what a provider may charge. Our free scan flags a line as worth a closer look when it is billed at more than 10 times the Medicare rate.
Questions worth asking before you pay
- Was prior approval needed, and was it obtained?
- Is the radiologist's reading billed separately?
- Is the MRI billed only once, and without contrast?
Check every line against the official Medicare rates in about a minute. The scan is free.
Related codes
Source: Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (CMS, July 2026 release), national payment amount, non-facility setting. Last updated October 2026. This page is general information, not legal or medical advice. Rates change each year and a hospital bill can include charges that the benchmark does not cover.