MRI, brain (with and without contrast)
Facility: Stormont Vail Hospital
Billing Code: 70553 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70553
- Insurance Median: $329
- Cash Discount Price: Unavailable
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.92x 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 $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.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ambetter / Centene | $211 - $376 | 59% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $211 - $376 | 59% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $213 - $705 | 60% |
| Aetna | $321 - $329 | 90% |
| Humana | $321 - $329 | 90% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI of the brain (with and without contrast) at Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka, KS, the facility's negotiated rates range from $211 to $705 depending on your specific insurance plan. While the median negotiated payment across all payers is $376, the facility's cash median is not listed in the current data. It is important to note that cash-pay options can sometimes be more affordable for patients with high-deductible plans if the insurance negotiated rate exceeds the cash price. Since the facility is a voluntary non-profit acute care hospital, you should contact the billing department directly to inquire about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can significantly reduce the final amount owed.
When evaluating this cost, it is crucial to compare rates against the Medicare benchmark rather than the hospital's gross charges. The Medicare amount for this procedure is $356.43, and the facility's median negotiated rate of $376 represents a 0.9 ratio relative to Medicare, indicating pricing that is very close to the federal baseline. Commercial rates often include administrative overhead that can inflate the baseline price by 20% to 40%, so relying on the hospital's list price for comparison can be misleading. To ensure you are not overpaying, always verify the allowed amount with your insurer before scheduling and request a full itemized bill to avoid errors or double-charging, as over 80% of hospital bills contain mistakes that can be corrected through a formal written audit.