MRI, brain (no contrast)
Facility: Kansas Spine & Specialty Hospital, Llc
Billing Code: 70551 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70551
- Insurance Median: $219
- Cash Discount Price: $1,960
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.90x 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Humana | $214 | 88% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $219 - $531 | 90% |
| United Mine Workers Of America | $219 | 90% |
| Aetna | $219 - $273 | 90% |
| Providrs Care Network | $219 | 90% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $219 - $265 | 90% |
| Lantern Specialty Care | $350 | 144% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI, brain (no contrast) procedure at Kansas Spine & Specialty Hospital, Llc in Wichita, KS, the facility's cash median price is $1,960.00, which is significantly lower than the gross charge of $3,016.00. While the facility's negotiated rates for commercial payers range from $214 to $350, these amounts are still higher than the cash price, suggesting that patients with high-deductible plans might save money by paying cash directly rather than using insurance. It is important to note that commercial insurance contracts often include administrative overhead that inflates the baseline price by 20% to 40%, meaning the negotiated rate does not necessarily reflect the true cost of care. Additionally, the facility's ownership is physician-led, which can influence pricing structures, and patients should verify if "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts are available before scheduling to ensure they are receiving the lowest possible rate.
When evaluating the cost against federal benchmarks, the Medicare amount for this service is $243.77, and the facility's negotiated rate of $219.00 is actually lower than the Medicare benchmark, indicating a highly competitive pricing model compared to the standard federal reimbursement rate. However, the gross charge of $3,016.00 represents a substantial markup, and patients should avoid using the chargemaster list as a benchmark for savings, as it is inflated to make discounts appear larger than they are. To avoid unexpected costs, consumers should request an itemized billing audit to identify any errors, double-billing, or unbundled codes, as over 80% of hospital bills contain inaccur