MRI, brain (no contrast)
Facility: Saint John Hospital
Billing Code: 70551 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70551
- Insurance Median: $238
- Cash Discount Price: $224
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.98x Medicare
Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.
Median negotiated contract rate across all mapped commercial carriers.
Standard federal government reimbursement rate for this code.
Visual Cost Comparison vs. 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.
Out-of-Pocket Cost Estimator
Estimate whether it is more economical to use your insurance or pay the upfront self-pay cash rate.
Commercial Insurance Negotiated Rates
Negotiated contract ranges established by major commercial carriers at this facility.
| Carrier / Plan Group | Contract Rate Range | vs. Medicare Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Medicaid / KanCare | $131 | 54% |
| Cigna | $225 | 92% |
| Tricare | $225 | 92% |
| Aetna | $225 - $362 | 92% |
| Medicare (plans) | $225 | 92% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $225 - $315 | 92% |
| Midland Care Connection | $225 | 92% |
| Kansas Superior Select | $229 | 94% |
| Comp Alliance Workers Comp | $231 | 95% |
| Healthy Blue | $236 - $238 | 97% |
| Celtic | $236 - $360 | 97% |
| Oha Networks | $249 | 102% |
| Worker Compensation | $256 | 105% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $262 - $553 | 107% |
| Employer Direct Healthcare | $315 | 129% |
| Well Path | $315 | 129% |
| Corizon | $315 | 129% |
| Centurion | $337 | 138% |
| Naphcare | $348 | 143% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI, brain (no contrast) procedure at Saint John Hospital in Leavenworth, KS, the facility's cash median rate of $224.00 is significantly lower than the negotiated rates charged to most insurance plans, which range from $225 to $553 depending on the carrier. While the facility's gross charge is $5,586, commercial payers like Aetna and Blue Cross Blue Shield have negotiated rates that can exceed the cash price, meaning patients with high-deductible plans might save money by paying the cash rate directly. It is important to note that while the facility is a voluntary non-profit acute care hospital, the negotiated rates reflect the administrative costs and contract structures of insurance billing, which often inflate the baseline price compared to the direct cash price.
Patients should be aware that insurance companies negotiate maximum rates to protect their members, but these rates are not always the lowest possible option available. For instance, Medicaid/KanCare has a single plan with a rate of $131, which is lower than the cash median, though many other payers charge more. To ensure you are not overcharged, always verify your specific plan's allowed amount before scheduling and ask the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the bill by 20% to 50% if paid upfront. Additionally, if you receive a bill from an out-of-network provider at this in-network facility, the No Surprises Act may protect you from balance billing for emergency or non-emergency services, so you should dispute any unexpected charges rather than paying them immediately.