MRI, brain (no contrast)
Facility: Kansas Surgery & Recovery Center
Billing Code: 70551 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70551
- Insurance Median: $223
- Cash Discount Price: $792
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.91x 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Aetna | $207 - $830 | 85% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $207 - $527 | 85% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $223 - $1,044 | 91% |
| Cigna | $549 | 225% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI, brain (no contrast) procedure at Kansas Surgery & Recovery Center in Wichita, KS, the cash price is $792.00, which is slightly lower than the facility's gross charge of $796.00. While the facility's negotiated rates with major payers like Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and UnitedHealthcare range from $207 to $1,044, these amounts are often higher than the cash price due to administrative costs and contract structures. Patients with high-deductible plans may find it financially advantageous to pay the cash rate of $792.00 directly, as this avoids the potential for balance billing if their insurance negotiated rate exceeds the cash price. It is important to note that the cash median of $792.00 is comparable to the facility's gross charge, suggesting minimal markup for self-pay patients, though specific negotiated rates vary significantly by insurer.
The facility's pricing is benchmarked against Medicare, which sets a baseline rate of $243.77 for this service. The commercial cash rate of $792.00 represents a markup relative to this federal standard, a common practice in the healthcare industry where commercial rates often exceed Medicare benchmarks by a significant margin. To ensure you receive the most accurate pricing, we recommend contacting the hospital directly to confirm their "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can further reduce the final amount owed. Additionally, if you have insurance, verify your specific plan's allowed amount before scheduling, as the negotiated rates listed for payers like Cigna ($549) or UnitedHealthcare ($223–$1,044)