MRI, brain (with and without contrast)
Facility: Rawlins County Health Center
Billing Code: 70553 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70553
- Insurance Median: $1,601
- Cash Discount Price: $1,564
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 4.49x 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 449% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 349%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $526 | 148% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $1,601 | 449% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI, brain (with and without contrast) procedure at Rawlins County Health Center in Atwood, KS, the cash median price is $1,564. This cash rate is lower than the negotiated rates of $1,601 for UnitedHealthcare and $526 for Blue Cross Blue Shield, suggesting that patients with high-deductible plans might save money by paying cash directly, provided they can afford the full amount upfront. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by a voluntary non-profit, the data indicates that the cash price is the most transparent benchmark here, as the negotiated rate for UnitedHealthcare exceeds the cash median. It is important to note that commercial negotiated rates often include administrative overhead and contract dynamics that can inflate the baseline price, so comparing directly to the cash price or the Medicare rate of $356.43 provides a clearer picture of the actual cost.
Patients should be aware that balance billing is generally prohibited for emergency care and non-emergency services at in-network facilities under the No Surprises Act, but it is crucial to verify network status before scheduling to avoid unexpected out-of-network charges. If you choose to pay cash, ask the billing department specifically about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can further reduce the $1,564 cash median. Additionally, if you do receive a bill, always request a full itemized CPT-coded statement rather than accepting a summary invoice, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as unbundled codes or services not rendered. By disputing any discrepancies in writing and comparing the final allowed amount to the Medicare benchmark, you can ensure you are not overpaying for this