MRI, brain (no contrast)
Facility: Osborne County Memorial Hospital
Billing Code: 70551 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70551
- Insurance Median: $1,235
- Cash Discount Price: $1,159
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 5.07x 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 507% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 407%). 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 | $1,037 | 425% |
| Health Partners Of Kansas | $1,173 | 481% |
| Wppa | $1,296 | 532% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $1,337 | 548% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI, brain (no contrast) procedure at Osborne County Memorial Hospital in Osborne, KS, the facility's cash price of $1,159.00 is notably lower than the negotiated rates paid by major payers, which range from $1,037 to $1,337 depending on the specific insurance plan. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government, patients with high-deductible plans may find the cash price more advantageous if their insurance negotiated rate exceeds this amount, as paying out-of-pocket can sometimes result in lower total costs. It is important to note that while the facility's cash rate is competitive, the Medicare benchmark for this service is $243.77, highlighting that commercial rates often include significant markups for administrative processing and network participation.
To ensure you receive the most accurate billing information, we recommend requesting an itemized bill before finalizing payment, as summary invoices can obscure individual charges and potential errors. If you choose to pay with insurance, be aware that the No Surprises Act protects you from balance billing for out-of-network services at in-network facilities, but you should still verify your specific plan's allowed amount to avoid unexpected costs. Additionally, since the facility offers a cash price of $1,159.00, you should explicitly ask for a "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discount at registration, which could further reduce your out-of-pocket expense by bypassing the administrative overhead associated with insurance claims.