MRI, brain (no contrast)
Facility: Providence Medical Center
Billing Code: 70551 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70551
- Insurance Median: $249
- Cash Discount Price: $224
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.02x 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% |
| Midland Care Connection | $225 | 92% |
| Cigna | $225 | 92% |
| Aetna | $225 - $460 | 92% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $225 - $472 | 92% |
| Medicare (plans) | $225 | 92% |
| Tricare | $225 | 92% |
| Comp Alliance - Fka Compresults Worker Compensation | $231 | 95% |
| Kansas Superior Select | $236 | 97% |
| Healthy Blue | $236 - $238 | 97% |
| Celtic | $236 - $360 | 97% |
| Oha Networks | $249 | 102% |
| Worker Compensation | $256 | 105% |
| Corizon | $292 | 120% |
| Well Path Prison | $315 | 129% |
| Employer Direct Healthcare | $315 | 129% |
| Centurion | $337 | 138% |
| Naphcare | $348 | 143% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $360 - $581 | 148% |
| First Health | $1,200 | 492% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI, brain (no contrast) procedure at Providence Medical Center in Kansas City, KS, the facility's cash price of $224 is significantly lower than the median negotiated rates paid by most insurance plans, which range from $225 to $1,200 depending on the carrier. While the facility is a voluntary non-profit church-owned acute care hospital, patients with high-deductible plans or those without insurance may find the cash price most advantageous, as many commercial payers negotiate rates that exceed the cash amount. It is important to note that while the facility offers a cash rate, patients should verify if their specific insurance plan has a lower allowed amount before scheduling, as some plans may pay less than the cash price, potentially leaving the patient responsible for the difference if they do not meet their deductible.
The data indicates that the facility's cash rate of $224 is notably lower than the state average for this procedure, which is often reflected in the wide variance of negotiated rates across different payers, such as Blue Cross Blue Shield's range of $360 to $581. Patients should be aware of the "prompt-pay" discount option, which can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50% if paid in full upfront, effectively bypassing the administrative costs and claim processing fees associated with insurance billing. If a patient receives a bill that appears higher than expected, they should request an itemized audit to ensure no errors, unbundled codes, or services not rendered are included, as over 80% of hospital bills contain discrepancies that can be resolved through a formal written dispute.