MRI, brain (no contrast)
Facility: Cheyenne County Hospital
Billing Code: 70551 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70551
- Insurance Median: $793
- Cash Discount Price: $710
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 3.25x 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 325% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 225%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| UnitedHealthcare | $479 - $835 | 196% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $521 | 214% |
| First Health - All Plans | $584 | 240% |
| Tricare | $601 | 247% |
| Healthy Blue Mcr Adv | $601 | 247% |
| Aetna | $601 - $793 | 247% |
| Choice Care - All Plans | $607 | 249% |
| Firstguard - All Plans | $668 | 274% |
| Wppa - All Plans | $752 | 308% |
| Cpm - All Plans | $793 | 325% |
| Preferred Hc - All Plans | $793 | 325% |
| Midlands Choice - All Plans | $810 | 332% |
| Ppo Next - All Plans | $818 | 336% |
| Unicare - All Plans | $818 | 336% |
| Health Partners - All Plans | $818 | 336% |
| Integrated Hp - All Plans | $818 | 336% |
| Childrens Mercy - All Plans | $835 | 343% |
| Healthwave Mcaid - All Plans | $835 | 343% |
| Healthy Blue Mcaid - All Other Plans | $835 | 343% |
| Providers Care-All Plans | $1,252 | 514% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI of the brain (no contrast) at Cheyenne County Hospital, the facility's cash price is $710, which is lower than the state average of $752. While many insurance plans negotiate rates ranging from $479 to $1,252, patients with high-deductible plans may find paying cash directly cheaper than their insurance allowed amount, which often exceeds the cash price. To secure the lowest possible cost, it is essential to verify your specific plan's negotiated rate before scheduling, as some in-network contracts can result in higher out-of-pocket costs than self-pay. Additionally, patients should explicitly ask the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can further reduce the final bill if payment is made upfront.
Understanding the difference between the facility's gross charge of $835 and the actual amounts paid is crucial for avoiding surprise costs. Although the No Surprises Act protects patients from balance billing for emergency care and non-emergency services from out-of-network providers at in-network facilities, patients must remain vigilant regarding itemized billing. If a summary bill is received, it is vital to request a full, line-by-line itemized statement to identify any errors, unbundled codes, or services not rendered, as over 80% of hospital bills contain mistakes. By comparing the facility's rates to the Medicare benchmark of $243.77, it becomes clear that commercial rates are significantly higher, highlighting the importance of negotiating directly with the hospital or confirming that your insurance contract adheres to fair pricing standards.