MRI, brain (no contrast)
Facility: Kansas City Orthopaedic Institute
Billing Code: 70551 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70551
- Insurance Median: $596
- Cash Discount Price: Unavailable
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 2.44x 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.
Elevated Commercial Rate Alert (Value-Gap)
The negotiated rate at this facility is 244% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 144%). Patients with high-deductible plans or out-of-network benefits may face excessive out-of-pocket costs.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| UnitedHealthcare | $217 - $1,390 | 89% |
| Aetna | $217 | 89% |
| Cigna | $227 - $813 | 93% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $596 - $1,040 | 244% |
| Medica | $1,190 | 488% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI, brain (no contrast) procedure at Kansas City Orthopaedic Institute in Leawood, KS, the Medicare benchmark rate is $243.77. While the facility's negotiated rates with major payers like UnitedHealthcare and Cigna range from $217 to $1,390, these figures are significantly higher than the Medicare baseline. It is important to note that cash-pay rates are not listed for this service, meaning patients with high-deductible plans should verify if paying out-of-pocket directly would be more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as commercial negotiated rates often exceed cash prices when discounts are applied. Additionally, patients should explicitly ask the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as these upfront fee reductions can bypass the administrative overhead of insurance billing and result in lower total costs.
This pricing data reflects the standard billing practices for Acute Care Hospitals in the state of Kansas, where commercial rates are frequently marked up relative to the federal government's cost-based Medicare benchmarks. Although the facility is owned by physicians, the presence of multiple payer contracts indicates that the final amount a patient owes depends heavily on their specific insurance plan and whether they are considered in-network. To avoid unexpected balance billing or errors, patients should request a full itemized bill that lists every CPT code and service rendered, rather than accepting a summary invoice. If any charges appear incorrect or if a patient receives a surprise bill from an out-of-network provider, they should formally dispute the amount in writing to ensure compliance with federal protections like the No Surprises Act.