MRI, brain (with and without contrast)
Facility: University Of Ks Hlth System Great Bend Campus
Billing Code: 70553 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70553
- Insurance Median: $1,251
- Cash Discount Price: $701
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 3.51x 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.
Elevated Commercial Rate Alert (Value-Gap)
The negotiated rate at this facility is 351% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 251%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ku Athletics [503200094] | $326 | 91% |
| Workers Comp [503999901] | $326 | 91% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $326 | 91% |
| Medicare (plans) | $332 | 93% |
| Allwell [503200078] | $335 | 94% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $335 | 94% |
| Tricare | $344 | 97% |
| Triwest [503201703] | $344 | 97% |
| Humana | $344 | 97% |
| Centurion [5032000966] | $423 | 119% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $472 | 132% |
| Occunet [503999930] | $684 | 192% |
| Fort Hays State Student Athletes [5032000960] | $684 | 192% |
| 6 Degrees Health [503999050] | $814 | 228% |
| Advanced Medical Pricing Solutions [503301513] | $1,031 | 289% |
| Alt Wppa [5032000964] | $1,472 | 413% |
| Wppa [503200056] | $1,472 | 413% |
| Meritain Health [503200039] | $1,472 - $2,103 | 413% |
| Alt Carelon Behavioral Health [503200905] | $1,752 | 492% |
| Cigna | $2,103 - $2,804 | 590% |
| Php [503200005] | $2,103 | 590% |
| Alt Meritain Health [503999911] | $2,103 | 590% |
| Allied National [503999937] | $2,103 | 590% |
| National Assn Letter Carriers [503200019] | $2,103 | 590% |
| First Health [5032000110] | $2,103 | 590% |
| Aha-Healthcare Preferred [503200050] | $2,103 | 590% |
| Aetna | $2,103 | 590% |
| Correct Care Solutions [50311253] | $2,454 | 688% |
| Usa Managed Care [503999030] | $3,154 | 885% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI, brain (with and without contrast) procedure at the University Of Ks Hlth System Great Bend Campus, the cash price is $701.00, which is significantly lower than the facility's gross charge of $3,505.00. While the facility's negotiated rates for in-network payers range from $326 to $3,154, the cash price remains the most affordable option for patients without insurance or those with high-deductible plans. It is important to note that commercial negotiated rates often include administrative overhead and contract markups, making them higher than the direct cash price. Patients should verify their specific plan's allowed amount, as some insurers may negotiate rates that exceed the cash price, potentially resulting in higher out-of-pocket costs if the patient's deductible has not yet been met.
To minimize financial risk, patients should proactively request a "prompt-pay" discount before scheduling, which can reduce the bill by 20% to 50% for upfront payment. Additionally, if a patient receives a balance bill for services rendered by out-of-network providers, they should not pay immediately; instead, they should request an itemized billing audit to identify errors, unbundled codes, or services not rendered, as over 80% of hospital bills contain inaccuracies. The facility's pricing is benchmarked against Medicare, with the Medicare amount for this code set at $356.43, providing a clear baseline for evaluating the facility's commercial rates and ensuring transparency in the billing process.