MRI, brain (with and without contrast)
Facility: Graham County Hospital
Billing Code: 70553 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70553
- Insurance Median: $605
- Cash Discount Price: $775
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.70x 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.
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 | $521 | 146% |
| Medicare (plans) | $581 | 163% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $590 - $736 | 166% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $590 | 166% |
| Celtic Commercial-All Other Plans | $639 | 179% |
| Wppa (Providers Care)-All Plans | $736 | 206% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI of the brain (with and without contrast) at Graham County Hospital in Hill City, Kansas, the cash price is $775.00, which matches the facility's median negotiated rate. This service is significantly more expensive than the state average, as indicated by a ratio of 1.7 times the Medicare benchmark of $356.43. While commercial payers like UnitedHealthcare and Wppa (Providers Care) have negotiated rates ranging from $590 to $736, these amounts remain higher than the cash price. Patients with high-deductible plans may find it financially advantageous to pay the $775.00 cash price directly, as this avoids the administrative overhead and markup often embedded in commercial negotiated rates.
Before scheduling, patients should verify their specific plan's allowed amount and check for "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50%. Although the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government, the lack of a facility rating suggests further review of their pricing transparency. To ensure you are not overcharged, request a full itemized bill that breaks down every CPT code and unit cost, as summary bills often hide unbundled charges or services not rendered. Given that over 80% of hospital bills contain errors, it is essential to dispute any discrepancies in writing before making a payment.