MRI, brain (with and without contrast)
Facility: Jewell County Hospital
Billing Code: 70553 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70553
- Insurance Median: $1,710
- Cash Discount Price: $1,350
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 4.80x 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 480% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 380%). 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 | $1,530 | 429% |
| Meritain - All Plans | $1,620 | 455% |
| Aetna | $1,620 | 455% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $1,710 | 480% |
| First Health - All Plans | $1,710 | 480% |
| Cigna | $1,710 | 480% |
| Midlands Choice - All Plans | $1,710 | 480% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI of the brain (with and without contrast) at Jewell County Hospital in Mankato, KS, the negotiated rates across seven major payers range from $1,530 to $1,710, with a median paid amount of $1,710. This negotiated rate is 4.8 times the Medicare benchmark of $356.43, reflecting the standard administrative markup inherent in commercial insurance contracts. In contrast, the cash price for this service is $1,350, which is significantly lower than the insurance negotiated rate. For patients with high-deductible plans or those who have already met their out-of-pocket maximum, paying the cash price directly can result in substantial savings compared to the insurance allowed amount, as the facility's self-pay rate does not include the administrative costs associated with claims processing.
It is important to note that this facility is a Critical Access Hospital with government-local ownership, and the data reflects specific pricing for the 2026-06 vintage. While the provided data does not include explicit county or state average comparisons for this specific procedure, the significant gap between the cash price ($1,350) and the median negotiated rate ($1,710) highlights the potential for cost reduction through prompt-pay discounts. Patients are encouraged to contact the hospital directly before scheduling to confirm if "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts are available, as these upfront payment incentives can further reduce the final bill. Additionally, because the No Surprises Act prohibits balance billing for out-of-network services at in-network facilities, patients should verify that all ancillary services, such as lab work or imaging, are covered under the facility's network agreements