MRI, brain (with and without contrast)
Facility: Ascension Via Christi Hospitals Wichita, Inc.
Billing Code: 70553 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70553
- Insurance Median: $334
- Cash Discount Price: Unavailable
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.94x 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Humana | $330 | 93% |
| Saint Lukes Health Systems | $330 | 93% |
| Va | $330 | 93% |
| Vc Hope | $330 | 93% |
| Medicare (plans) | $330 - $337 | 93% |
| Via Christi Research | $330 | 93% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $337 | 95% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $337 - $925 | 95% |
| Corizon | $413 | 116% |
| Smarthealth | $462 | 130% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $561 | 157% |
| Cigna | $782 | 219% |
| Aetna | $967 | 271% |
| Coventry City Of Wichita | $1,447 | 406% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI, brain (with and without contrast) procedure at Ascension Via Christi Hospitals Wichita, Inc., the negotiated rates across 14 payers range from $330 to $1,447, with a median negotiated amount of $334.00. This facility is located in Wichita, Kansas (ZIP 67214), and its pricing structure is anchored by a Medicare amount of $356.43. While the data does not provide specific state or county average figures for comparison, the facility's median negotiated rate of $334.00 is notably lower than the highest negotiated rates observed, such as the $1,447 charged by Coventry City Of Wichita, highlighting significant variation in contract terms even within the same geographic region. Patients should be aware that while in-network status protects against balance billing for emergency services under the No Surprises Act, the final amount owed depends heavily on individual plan deductibles and specific payer contracts.
For patients with high-deductible plans, paying the cash price or utilizing a prompt-pay discount may result in lower out-of-pocket costs compared to the insurance negotiated rate, as administrative overhead often inflates commercial rates by 20% to 40% above the true cost of care. The facility offers a prompt-pay discount to encourage upfront payment, which bypasses costly claims processing and reduces the risk of bad debt, potentially saving patients 20% to 50% of the bill. To maximize savings, consumers should request a self-pay classification and a prompt-pay discount before scheduling, and sign a waiver of insurance submission if they intend to pay in full immediately. Additionally, patients should request a detailed, itemized