MRI, brain (no contrast)
Facility: Jewell County Hospital
Billing Code: 70551 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70551
- Insurance Median: $1,425
- Cash Discount Price: $1,125
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 5.85x 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.
Elevated Commercial Rate Alert (Value-Gap)
The negotiated rate at this facility is 585% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 485%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Carriers - All Plans | $1,275 | 523% |
| Aetna | $1,350 | 554% |
| Meritain - All Plans | $1,350 | 554% |
| Cigna | $1,425 | 585% |
| First Health - All Plans | $1,425 | 585% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $1,425 | 585% |
| Midlands Choice - All Plans | $1,425 | 585% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI, brain (no contrast) procedure at Jewell County Hospital in Mankato, KS, the facility's cash price of $1,125 is lower than the average negotiated rate of $1,425 paid by seven major insurance carriers, including Aetna, Cigna, and UnitedHealthcare. This data reflects the state of Kansas, where commercial rates often exceed cash prices due to administrative costs and contract structures. Because the cash price is lower than the insurer's allowed amount, patients with high-deductible plans or those who have already met their deductible may save money by paying the cash price directly, provided they confirm the facility offers a self-pay or prompt-pay discount before scheduling.
It is important to note that while the No Surprises Act protects patients from balance billing for out-of-network providers at in-network facilities, patients should still verify that all ancillary services, such as specific lab tests or imaging, are covered under their plan to avoid unexpected charges. If you receive a bill that appears higher than the cash rate or the negotiated amount, you should request a full itemized audit to identify any unbundled codes or services not rendered, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors. Always dispute any discrepancies in writing to the billing supervisor rather than accepting a summary bill, and remember that the Medicare benchmark of $243.77 serves as a baseline for evaluating the facility's pricing markup, which is significantly higher than the federal rate.