MRI, brain (no contrast)
Facility: Hodgeman County Health Center
Billing Code: 70551 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70551
- Insurance Median: $1,580
- Cash Discount Price: $1,796
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 6.48x 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 648% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 548%). 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 | $500 - $526 | 205% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $1,437 - $2,133 | 589% |
| Humana | $1,437 | 589% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $1,437 - $2,245 | 589% |
| Triwest - All Plans | $1,437 | 589% |
| Aetna | $1,796 | 737% |
| First Health - All Plans | $2,020 | 829% |
| Wppa (Provdrscare) - All Plans | $2,133 | 875% |
| Health Partners - All Plans | $2,133 | 875% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI, brain (no contrast) procedure at Hodgeman County Health Center in Jetmore, Kansas, the cash price of $1,796 is significantly lower than the facility's gross charge of $2,245. While the facility's negotiated rates with major payers like UnitedHealthcare and Medicaid/KanCare range from $1,437 to $2,245, the cash price remains a solid benchmark for patients. It is important to note that for individuals with high-deductible plans, paying the cash price upfront can sometimes be more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the negotiated rates paid by insurers often exceed the cash rate. Patients should explicitly ask the billing department about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as these upfront payment incentives can further reduce the final amount owed.
This facility operates as a Critical Access Hospital with government local ownership, and its pricing is subject to federal protections under the No Surprises Act, which bans balance billing for out-of-network services at in-network facilities. If you receive a bill that seems unusually high, you have the right to request a detailed, itemized audit to identify any errors, unbundled codes, or services not rendered, as over 80% of hospital bills contain mistakes. When evaluating the cost, it is more accurate to compare your facility's rates against the Medicare benchmark of $243.77 rather than the facility's inflated gross charges; however, commercial rates will naturally be higher due to administrative costs and contract dynamics. Always verify your specific plan's deductible status and allowed amounts before proceeding to ensure you are not paying more than necessary.