MRI, brain (with and without contrast)
Facility: Kiowa County Memorial Hospital
Billing Code: 70553 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70553
- Insurance Median: $1,157
- Cash Discount Price: $1,105
- 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 $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 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $526 - $1,157 | 148% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $1,041 - $1,300 | 292% |
| Health Partners Of Ks-All Plans | $1,144 | 321% |
| Medica Prime Mcare Cost-All Plans | $1,157 | 325% |
| Aetna | $1,157 | 325% |
| Celtic Comml Exchange-All Other Plans | $1,157 | 325% |
| Humana | $1,157 | 325% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $1,300 | 365% |
| Providrs Care/Wppa-All Plans | $1,950 | 547% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI of the brain (with and without contrast) at Kiowa County Memorial Hospital in Greensburg, KS, the facility's cash median price is $1,105, while the negotiated rate for most commercial payers is $1,157. This facility is a Critical Access Hospital with government-local ownership, and its pricing aligns closely with the state average, showing a 3.2% variance compared to the Medicare benchmark. While the gross chargemaster lists $1,300, insurance contracts cap the cost at $1,157 for most plans, which is slightly higher than the cash price. Patients with high-deductible plans or those who have already met their out-of-pocket limits may find paying the cash median of $1,105 directly more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the negotiated rate exceeds the cash price by $52.
Before scheduling, it is crucial to verify your specific plan's negotiated rate, as some insurers may have different allowances than the state average. If you choose to pay out-of-pocket, ask the billing department about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can further reduce the cost by bypassing administrative fees associated with insurance claims. Additionally, ensure you request an itemized bill to confirm that all charges are accurate and that no services were billed for which you did not receive care. Given that the facility is in-network for major carriers like Blue Cross Blue Shield and UnitedHealthcare, you can expect the $1,157 negotiated rate, but always confirm your deductible status and coverage details prior to the procedure to avoid unexpected balance billing or out-of-pocket surprises.