MRI, brain (no contrast)
Facility: Community Memorial Healthcare, Inc.
Billing Code: 70551 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70551
- Insurance Median: $1,067
- Cash Discount Price: $1,893
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 4.38x 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 438% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 338%). 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 | $553 | 227% |
| Aetna | $655 - $1,772 | 269% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $814 - $1,352 | 334% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI of the brain (no contrast) at Community Memorial Healthcare, Inc. in Marysville, Kansas, the cash price is $1,893, which matches the facility's median negotiated rate. This cash price is significantly higher than the Medicare benchmark of $243.77, indicating a markup of 4.4 times the federal rate. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital with a voluntary non-profit ownership structure, patients should be aware that commercial insurance negotiated rates often exceed cash prices due to administrative overhead and contract dynamics. In this specific case, the cash price is the primary reference point, as the data does not provide a separate state or county average for comparison.
Patients with high-deductible plans may find it financially advantageous to pay the cash price of $1,893 directly, as this amount is lower than the potential negotiated rates charged by insurers like Aetna (ranging from $655 to $1,772) or UnitedHealthcare (ranging from $814 to $1,352) depending on the specific plan. To secure the best possible rate, it is recommended to contact the hospital directly to inquire about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the bill by 20% to 50% if paid in full upfront. Additionally, before scheduling, verify your deductible status and ensure you are classified as a self-pay patient to avoid automatic claims submission, which could void any cash discount agreements.