MRI, brain (with and without contrast)
Facility: Wichita County Health Center
Billing Code: 70553 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70553
- Insurance Median: $1,048
- Cash Discount Price: $918
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 2.94x 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.
Elevated Commercial Rate Alert (Value-Gap)
The negotiated rate at this facility is 294% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 194%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Medicaid / KanCare | $947 | 266% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $1,148 | 322% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI of the brain with and without contrast at Wichita County Health Center in Leoti, Kansas, the cash median price is $918.00, which is lower than the state average of $1,048.00. While Medicaid / KanCare pays a fixed rate of $947.00 and UnitedHealthcare pays the full gross amount of $1,148.00, patients with high-deductible plans may find paying cash directly more cost-effective if their insurance negotiated rate exceeds the cash price. It is important to note that the facility's cash rate is significantly below the median negotiated rate of $1,048.00, suggesting that self-pay or prompt-pay discounts could further reduce the final bill.
To ensure you are not overcharged, always request a detailed itemized bill before paying, as summary bills often hide unbundled codes or services not rendered. If you receive a large bill, compare the total to the Medicare benchmark of $356.43 for this procedure; commercial rates often exceed this baseline due to administrative overhead, but fair pricing typically falls between 120% and 150% of the Medicare amount. Since this facility is a Critical Access Hospital with government-local ownership, verify your specific plan's allowed amount and check for any prompt-pay discounts available before scheduling, as waiting until after the service is rendered may void potential cash savings.