CMS Price Transparency Data

MRI, brain (no contrast)

Facility: Boone County Hospital

Billing Code: 70551 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)

CPT Billing Code: 70551
Insurance Median: $1,384
Cash Discount Price: $2,460
vs. Medicare Baseline: 5.68x Medicare

The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a MRI, brain (no contrast) at Boone County Hospital is $1,384. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $2,460. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $243.77, this hospital’s rate is 5.68x the Medicare baseline. Located in 1015 Union Street, Boone, IA.

Cash / Self-Pay

$2,460

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median

$1,384

Median negotiated contract rate across all mapped commercial carriers.

Medicare Reference Rate

$243.77

Standard federal government reimbursement rate for this code.

Visual Cost Comparison vs. Medicare

Medicare Reference Baseline: $243.77 (100%)

Cash / Self-Pay: $2,460 (1009%)

Insurance Median: $1,384 (568%)

Cash: $2,460 (1009% of Medicare)

Ins. Median: $1,384 (568% of Medicare)

Understanding this gauge: We use the federal Medicare rate of $243.77 as the cost baseline. Rates below the baseline represent excellent value. In-network commercial rates commonly hover around 150% - 250% of Medicare, while rates exceeding 300% are elevated. Hover over the green and blue markers to view detailed calculations.

Elevated Commercial Rate Alert (Value-Gap)

The negotiated rate at this facility is 568% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 468%). Patients with high-deductible plans or out-of-network benefits may face excessive out-of-pocket costs.

Consult Patient Advocate

Out-of-Pocket Cost Estimator

Estimate whether it is more economical to use your insurance or pay the upfront self-pay cash rate.

Billing Status

Remaining Deductible ($)

Your Coinsurance Rate (%)

Input your details and click calculate to compare out-of-pocket costs.

Commercial Insurance Negotiated Rates

Negotiated contract ranges established by major commercial carriers at this facility.

Carrier / Plan Group	Contract Rate Range	vs. Medicare Reference
Tricare	$244	100%
Wellmark Hmo	$789	324%
Wellmark Ppo - All Other Plans	$866	355%
Choice Care Mcr Adv - All Plans	$1,261	517%
Humana	$1,261 - $2,768	517%
Iowa Hlth Adv - All Plans	$1,261	517%
Mt Carmel Hp - All Plans	$1,261	517%
UnitedHealthcare	$1,261 - $1,805	517%
Va Ccn-All Plans	$1,261	517%
Amerigroup Mcr Adv - All Other Plans	$1,274	523%
Aetna	$1,289 - $2,399	529%
Meridian Mcaid - All Plans	$1,384	568%
Iowa Total Care Mcaid - All Plans	$1,412	579%
Medicaid / KanCare	$1,425	585%
Healthsmart Accell Network	$2,153	883%
Medical Associates Hp-All Plans	$2,307	946%
Healthsmart Ppo - All Other Plans	$2,460	1009%
Health Alliance-All Plans	$2,768	1135%
Midlands Choice-All Plans	$2,829	1161%
Mutually Preferred-All Plans	$2,922	1199%

Self-Pay Upfront Cash Action Plan

Request a "Self-Pay classification" with the billing desk before receiving care.
Ask for a written "Prompt-Pay Discount" agreement quoting the price of $2,460.
Request and sign a "Waiver of Insurance Submission" to prevent automatic billing.
Verify CPT Code matches exactly: 70551.

Insurance In-Network Protection Plan

Contact your insurance company to confirm Boone County Hospital is fully in-network.
Ask your insurer if "Prior Authorization" is required for CPT code 70551.
Confirm the specific physician or imaging center is also in-network (not just the hospital building).
Audit your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) against the final itemized hospital invoice.