MRI, brain (with and without contrast)
Facility: Via Christi Hospital Wichita St Teresa, Inc
Billing Code: 70553 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70553
- Insurance Median: $334
- Cash Discount Price: Unavailable
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.94x 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 | $330 | 93% |
| Saint Lukes Health Systems | $330 | 93% |
| Va | $330 | 93% |
| Vc Hope | $330 | 93% |
| Via Christi Research | $330 | 93% |
| Medicare (plans) | $330 - $337 | 93% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $337 | 95% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $337 - $925 | 95% |
| Corizon | $413 | 116% |
| Smarthealth | $462 | 130% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $561 | 157% |
| Cigna | $782 | 219% |
| Aetna | $967 | 271% |
| Coventry City Of Wichita | $1,447 | 406% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI of the brain (with and without contrast) at Via Christi Hospital Wichita St Teresa, Inc, the negotiated rates across 14 payers range from $330 to $1,447, with a median negotiated amount of $334.00. This facility is located in Wichita, Kansas, and its pricing aligns closely with the Medicare benchmark of $356.43, showing a 0.9x ratio relative to the federal rate. While some commercial payers like UnitedHealthcare have negotiated rates as high as $925, the majority of plans, including Humana, Saint Lukes Health Systems, and Va, pay the minimum rate of $330. For patients with high-deductible plans, paying cash directly may be more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the cash price could be lower than the negotiated allowed amount for certain carriers.
Patients should verify their specific plan details before scheduling, as in-network status does not guarantee the lowest possible price, and some facilities may offer self-pay or prompt-pay discounts that reduce the final bill. It is important to request an itemized CPT-coded bill before paying any invoice, as summary bills can obscure individual charges and potential errors. If a patient receives a balance bill for out-of-network services at an in-network facility, they may be entitled to protections under the No Surprises Act, which bans balance billing for emergency and non-emergency care. To ensure accuracy, consumers should dispute any unexpected charges in writing rather than accepting verbal assurances, and always confirm whether their specific procedure is covered under their deductible before proceeding.