CMS Price Transparency Data

MRI, brain (with and without contrast)

Facility: Cass County Memorial Hospital

Billing Code: 70553 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)

CPT Billing Code: 70553
Insurance Median: $1,782
Cash Discount Price: $2,941
vs. Medicare Baseline: 5.00x Medicare

The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a MRI, brain (with and without contrast) at Cass County Memorial Hospital is $1,782. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $2,941. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $356.43, this hospital’s rate is 5.00x the Medicare baseline. Located in 1501 East Tenth Street, Atlantic, IA.

Cash / Self-Pay

$2,941

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median

$1,782

Median negotiated contract rate across all mapped commercial carriers.

Medicare Reference Rate

$356.43

Standard federal government reimbursement rate for this code.

Visual Cost Comparison vs. Medicare

Medicare Reference Baseline: $356.43 (100%)

Cash / Self-Pay: $2,941 (825%)

Insurance Median: $1,782 (500%)

Cash: $2,941 (825% of Medicare)

Ins. Median: $1,782 (500% of Medicare)

Understanding this gauge: We use the federal Medicare rate of $356.43 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 500% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 400%). 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
UnitedHealthcare	$516 - $1,765	145%
Midlands Choice Medica Mcr	$840	236%
Wellmark Hmo	$1,067	299%
Wellmark Ppo - All Other Plans	$1,173	329%
Triwest - All Plans	$1,712	480%
Aetna	$1,765 - $3,992	495%
Amerigroup Mcr Adv - All Other Plans	$1,765	495%
Medica Mcr Adv	$1,765	495%
Tricare	$1,765	495%
Va Ccn - All Plans	$1,765	495%
Wellmark Mcr Adv	$1,782	500%
Iowa Total Care Mcaid	$1,800	505%
Iowa Total Care Mcr	$1,800	505%
Molina Mcaid - All Plans	$1,800	505%
American Hlth Mcr Adv - All Plans	$1,818	510%
Medicaid / KanCare	$1,818	510%
Iowa Total Care Comm - All Other Plans	$1,941	545%
Midlands Choice New Bus	$2,731	766%
Medica Comm - All Other Plans	$3,698	1038%
Midlands Choice Pho (Ppo) - All Other Plans	$3,782	1061%
Multiplan - All Plans	$3,992	1120%

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 $2,941.
Request and sign a "Waiver of Insurance Submission" to prevent automatic billing.
Verify CPT Code matches exactly: 70553.

Insurance In-Network Protection Plan

Contact your insurance company to confirm Cass County Memorial Hospital is fully in-network.
Ask your insurer if "Prior Authorization" is required for CPT code 70553.
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.