MRI, brain (with and without contrast)
Facility: Kansas Spine & Specialty Hospital, Llc
Billing Code: 70553 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70553
- Insurance Median: $320
- Cash Discount Price: $2,607
- 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 $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.
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 | $314 | 88% |
| Aetna | $320 - $400 | 90% |
| United Mine Workers Of America | $320 | 90% |
| Providrs Care Network | $320 | 90% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $320 - $531 | 90% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $320 - $387 | 90% |
| Lantern Specialty Care | $512 | 144% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI, brain (with and without contrast) procedure at Kansas Spine & Specialty Hospital, Llc, the facility's cash median price of $2,607 is significantly lower than the average negotiated rates paid by major insurers, which range from $314 to $531 depending on the plan. While the facility is classified as an Acute Care Hospital in Wichita, KS, and is owned by a physician group, patients should be aware that commercial insurance contracts often result in higher net costs due to administrative overhead and multi-layered pricing structures. Although the cash price appears competitive, it is important to note that for patients with high-deductible plans, the insurance negotiated rate may still exceed the cash price if the patient has not yet met their deductible, making the cash option potentially more expensive in those specific scenarios.
To ensure you are not overcharged, we recommend requesting a full itemized billing audit before finalizing payment, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as unbundled codes or services not rendered. Additionally, if you are paying out-of-network or receiving unexpected charges, the No Surprises Act may protect you from balance billing for emergency care and non-emergency services at in-network facilities; however, you should dispute any surprise bills in writing rather than paying immediately to avoid unnecessary debt. Finally, do not assume that being in-network guarantees the lowest price, as some facilities charge significantly more than others; we strongly advise contacting the hospital directly to inquire about self-pay or prompt-pay discounts, which can reduce your final bill by 20% to 50% if paid upfront.