MRI, brain (no contrast)
Facility: Ascension Via Christi Hospitals Wichita, Inc.
Billing Code: 70551 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70551
- Insurance Median: $226
- Cash Discount Price: Unavailable
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.93x 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Saint Lukes Health Systems | $224 | 92% |
| Via Christi Research | $224 | 92% |
| Vc Hope | $224 | 92% |
| Humana | $224 | 92% |
| Va | $224 | 92% |
| Medicare (plans) | $224 - $228 | 92% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $228 - $626 | 94% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $228 | 94% |
| Corizon | $279 | 114% |
| Smarthealth | $313 | 128% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $380 | 156% |
| Cigna | $467 | 192% |
| Aetna | $574 | 235% |
| Coventry City Of Wichita | $943 | 387% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI, brain (no contrast) procedure at Ascension Via Christi Hospitals Wichita, Inc., the negotiated rates across 14 payers range from $224 to $943, with a median negotiated amount of $226.00. These commercial rates are significantly higher than the Medicare benchmark of $243.77, which serves as the federal baseline for evaluating hospital pricing markups. While commercial contracts often average 200% to 300% of Medicare rates, this specific service shows a lower markup relative to the benchmark, though the highest negotiated rate from Coventry City Of Wichita ($943) represents a substantial premium compared to the facility's median. Patients should be aware that while in-network insurance provides a ceiling on charges, the actual amount paid depends heavily on individual plan deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums, meaning the negotiated rate may not be the lowest possible cost for every patient.
For patients without insurance or with high-deductible plans, paying cash directly can sometimes be more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the administrative overhead and contract structures often inflate commercial rates. The facility offers a voluntary non-profit status and is located in Wichita, Kansas (ZIP 67214), where local wage indexes influence the Medicare benchmarking calculations. To minimize costs, patients should explicitly ask the billing department about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce bills by 20% to 50% when paid upfront, bypassing the costly claims processing cycle. Additionally, before scheduling, it is crucial to verify the exact allowed amount for your specific plan and request a full itemized bill to ensure no errors or unbundled